The highest-speed trains in the world open up no end of possibilities for curious travellers. Whenever we head on an adventure that includes more time on the ground, it feels like a big win on the sustainability front – and, depending on the country and rail route, like stepping back in time. Whether it’s a long journey that flies by in a blur of bucolic scenes through the window or an overnight journey where you’re rocked to sleep, these are the high-speed rail adventures to know about.
How many high-speed trains are there in the world?
According to the UIC, there are an estimated 56,000km of high-speed lines (built to handle speeds of at least 250 km/h) in operation around the globe, and more than three billion of us use high-speed rail every year.
Can a train travel at 400mph?
Not yet. However, the Experimental Chinese Maglev trains using magnetic levitation have reportedly gone over 400mph.
Shinkansen, Japan
Japan’s Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, is arguably the most iconic of all the world’s high-speed trains. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen line was launched ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, connecting Japan’s four largest cities: Tōkyō, Yokohama, Nagoya and Ōsaka. Despite considerable expansion in the decades since, the first line remains the busiest, with more than 160 million passengers a year using the speedy route as a vital mode of transport. Carriages zoom across the country at speeds of up to 320km/h, services run every three minutes during peak hours, and it remains one of the safest rail networks in the world. For longer journeys, indulge in a Gran Class booking – Shinkansen’s equivalent of first class, with exceptional hospitality and plush, standalone seats that recline to 45 degrees.
Booking: smart-ex.jp
