High-speed railways are a testament to the fusion of speed and efficiency. From Japan’s renowned Shinkansen to France’s TGV, these trains have a rich history spanning decades.
The evolution of high-speed rail has transformed transportation by offering a viable alternative to air travel. It stimulates economic growth, reduces travel times significantly, and presents a more environmentally friendly option.
Today, high-speed rail is increasingly competitive on price, with budget-friendly options emerging across Europe. Countries like Germany, Italy, France, Spain, China, and Japan have extensive networks, where trains can exceed speeds of 300 km/h.
Future developments in high-speed rail remain promising. Despite challenges, several ambitious projects are underway, including California’s high-speed rail, Australia’s complex initiatives, and the famously delayed HS2 project in the UK.
Despite setbacks in some regions, half of last year’s ten most expensive rail projects worldwide were high-speed rail ventures. Asia, particularly China, stands out with its rapid expansion of high-speed networks, marking the region as a hub of innovation in this sector.
Recent technological innovations, like magnetic levitation (Maglev) trains, offer potential for greater speeds and enhanced passenger comfort. Continuous advancements in high-speed rail infrastructure and technology indicate a promising future where travel is more efficient, sustainable, and globally connected.
With significant progress over the past decade, here’s an updated list of the ten fastest high-speed trains currently operating worldwide, ranked by their operational speeds.
1. Shanghai Maglev: 460km/h (China)
The Shanghai Maglev, also known as the Shanghai Transrapid, stands out as the fastest operational train globally, reaching a maximum speed of 460 km/h and averaging 251 km/h. Its astonishing high-speed record peaks at 501 km/h.
Unlike traditional high-speed trains, the maglev uses electromagnetic force to float above the track, eliminating friction and ensuring exceptionally smooth and quiet travel.
Owned and operated by the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company, this train was constructed through a collaboration between Siemens and the German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp.
Since April 2004, the maglev has been serving commuters on the 30.5 km Shanghai Maglev Line, which connects Longyang Road Station in Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It’s renowned as the world’s first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line.
Covering the 19-mile journey in under eight minutes, the maglev offers a remarkably efficient link to the airport, even though it doesn’t extend into the city center.
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2. CR Harmony: 350km/h (China)
The China Railway (CR) Hexie, known as Harmony, encompasses the CRH series of high-speed trains, operating at speeds up to 350 km/h, similar to the Fuxing trains. Despite their comparable operational speeds, Harmony trains hold second place due to their impressive record speeds during testing.
Initially, the CR Harmony trains were constructed using established technology from global rolling stock manufacturers. China Railway aimed to develop indigenous technology, a goal realized with the subsequent CR Fuxing trains.
Among the Harmony models, the CRH380B, based on Siemens Velaro trains, has been serving on the Shanghai–Hangzhou and Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railways since 2011.
The CRH380A achieved the second-highest recorded speed among Harmony trains, reaching 486.1 km/h during testing in 2010. Despite controversy over technology origins, it’s noted that this model was not produced under a technology transfer agreement and allegedly incorporates Japanese Shinkansen technology.
Another notable model is the CRH380D, derived from the Bombardier Zefiro 380. Known for achieving a record test speed of 483 km/h, it holds the distinction of being the fastest unmodified conventional high-speed train. Currently, there are 85 CRH380D trainsets in operation across the Shanghai and Chengdu Railway networks in China.
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3. CR Fuxing: 350km/h (China)
The China Railway (CR) Fuxing, also known as the CR series EMU, represents a cutting-edge line of high-speed trains developed entirely by China Railway Corporation. Capable of speeds up to 350km/h, these trains have even reached 420km/h during testing.
Distinctively, the Fuxing models mark China’s independence in high-speed train manufacturing, free from reliance on foreign technology. An 8-car Fuxing train spans 209 meters in length, 3.36 meters in width, and stands 4.06 meters tall, accommodating over 500 passengers.
Most renowned for their service on the Beijing–Shanghai route, these trains transport passengers between the cities in under 5 hours. They also operate on seven other major lines across China.
Notably, a modified Fuxing model, the Fuxing CR400AF, is tailored for the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. Beyond China, this model will debut internationally with 11 trainsets commissioned for Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, scheduled to commence operations this year.
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4. DB ICE: 350km/h (Germany)
The ICE 3, or Intercity-Express 3, represents a series of advanced high-speed electric trains jointly crafted by Siemens and Bombardier. These trains are predominantly operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) in Germany and by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) in the Netherlands.
This family of trains includes several models: the ICE 3 (class 403), ICE 3M, New ICE 3, and ICE 3neo (class 406, 407, and 408 respectively). They are celebrated as Germany’s leading high-speed rail service, renowned for their cutting-edge technology and performance.
The ICE 3 trains are also deployed internationally, notably in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, operating under the name ICE International. These trains are designed for seamless cross-border travel across Europe.
In Germany, the ICE 3 reaches speeds of up to 320 km/h on national high-speed tracks. Notably, the class 403 trains have achieved speeds of 330 km/h on the Frankfurt to Cologne route, surpassing standard operational speeds to minimize travel delays. Trial runs have seen the ICE 3 classes 403 and 406 achieve top speeds of 368 km/h.
Siemens’ Velaro trainsets drew inspiration from the ICE 3M/F design, which has been widely adopted across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The versatility of these trainsets is evidenced by their use in diverse railway networks, including those of Germany, Belgium, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt, where the Egyptian National Railways has ordered 41 eight-car ICE trainsets.
5. SCNCF TGV: 320km/h (France)
The Train à Grande Vitesse, known as the TGV, stands as an iconic symbol of high-speed rail innovation. Originating on Europe’s inaugural high-speed rail line in France, the TGV has continuously pushed speed boundaries since its inception.
In 1981, TGV Sud-Est trainset number 16 achieved a landmark speed of 380 km/h. Nearly a decade later, in 1990, a modified TGV Atlantique 325 set a new record at 515.3 km/h. This record was surpassed in 2007 when a modified TGV POS, equipped with advanced technology similar to the AGV prototype, reached 574.8 km/h, currently holding the world speed record.
Manufactured by Alstom and predominantly operated by SNCF, the French national railway company, TGV models such as Duplex, Réseau, POS, and Euroduplex routinely operate at speeds up to 320 km/h on French tracks.
Beyond France, the SNCF TGV network extends to Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Open-access operators also utilize TGV trainsets to connect France with other European countries. TGV Lyria serves Switzerland, while Thalys and Eurostar connect to the UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Internationally, TGV trains operate in the US, Spain, Italy, Morocco, China, and South Korea.
The latest addition to the TGV fleet, the TGV-M, was introduced in 2021. SNCF placed a significant €2.7 billion order for 100 TGV-M trainsets in July 2018, initially known as the Avelia Horizon. Capable of reaching speeds up to 350 km/h, the TGV-M is scheduled to commence service with SNCF in 2024.
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6. JR Shinkansen: 320km/h (Japan)
Renowned globally, the Shinkansen, popularly known as the bullet train, stands as a symbol of Japan’s innovation. Surprisingly, it doesn’t rank among the top five fastest trains worldwide.
Japan pioneered dedicated high-speed rail networks, initially linking remote regions to Tokyo. The first line, the 515km Tokyo–Nagoya–Osaka Tokaido Shinkansen, debuted in 1964, expanding today to nearly 3,000km.
The original Shinkansen, the 0 series, launched in 1964 with a top speed of 220km/h. Current models like the E5 and H5 Series, developed by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, reach speeds of up to 320km/h.
The E5 operates on the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines, while the H5 is a cold-weather version featuring enhanced snowplows, durable rubber protections between cars, and a stainless-steel underframe protecting electronics.
In testing, a Shinkansen achieved a record speed of 443km/h in 1996, done by the experimental Class 955 “300X” Tōkaidō Shinkansen.
JR Central is pioneering a Maglev Shinkansen, the L0 Series, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Sharyo. These trains utilize the SCMaglev system, set to debut in 2027 on the Chūō Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Osaka. During tests, they have reached an astounding 603km/h, with an operational speed expected at 500km/h.
7. ONCF Al Boraq: 320km/h (Morocco)
Africa’s first high-speed railway, Al Boraq in Morocco, ranks as the seventh on our list. Managed by the Moroccan national operator Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc (ONCF), this line connects Casablanca and Tangier. Al Boraq consists of two main sections: a newly constructed dedicated high-speed track from Tangier to Kenitra, and an upgraded existing line from Kenitra to Casablanca.
Operating on the dedicated track, 12 Alstom Avelia Euroduplex trains, also known as TGV 2n2f, achieve speeds of up to 320 km/h across the 323 km route. These bi-level trains offer a capacity of 533 passengers, featuring two power cars and eight passenger cars.
The $2 billion project has significantly reduced travel time between Casablanca and Rabat from nearly five hours to just over two hours. During testing before its official launch, trains on the Al Boraq line reached speeds of up to 357 km/h, making it the fastest rail service currently operating in Africa.
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8. Renfe AVE 103: 310km/h (Spain)
The Renfe Class 103, part of Renfe’s AVE high-speed service, is a cutting-edge train series crafted by Siemens under the Velaro family. Spain inaugurated its high-speed rail in 1992, linking Madrid, Córdoba, and Seville initially, later expanding to major cities and international destinations. The market has since evolved with the inclusion of open-access operators, fostering robust competition.
Running on the 621km Barcelona–Madrid route, 26 trainsets accommodate up to 404 passengers, achieving speeds up to 310 km/h. Notably, in 2006, an S103 set a record at 403.7 km/h, marking a Spanish rail speed milestone.
Distinctively, each Renfe S103 train comprises two identical half-trains of four coaches. Each section boasts its own power system, alongside an active pantograph and high-voltage line spanning the train’s length.
The end coaches are divided between the driver’s cabin and passenger seating, separated by glass screens. These screens can be adjusted for transparency, giving passengers a driver’s-eye view if desired.
9. Korail KTX-Sancheon: 305km/h (Korea)
Korail, South Korea’s national railway operator, inaugurated its high-speed rail service, known as Korea Train Express (KTX), in 2004. Initially modeled after Alstom’s TGV Réseau, the network has since transitioned to using entirely domestically manufactured rolling stock, notably the KTX-Sancheon crafted by Hyundai Rotem.
Named after the cherry salmon, a native fish, the KTX-Sancheon boasts a top operational speed of 305 km/h, marking it as South Korea’s first domestically designed and developed high-speed train. Each of its 71 trainsets can carry up to 363 passengers and accelerates from 0 to 300 km/h in 316 seconds.
In 2013, South Korea set a new national speed record with the HEMU-430X prototype reaching 421.4 km/h, surpassing the previous record of 352.4 km/h held by the KTX-Sancheon HSR-350x. This achievement places South Korea among the elite group of countries, including France, Japan, and China, capable of operating trains exceeding speeds of 420 km/h.
Looking ahead, Hyundai Rotem is set to introduce 16 units of the new EMU-320, the latest commercial electric multiple-unit model derived from the HEMU-430X. Anticipated to commence service later this year, the EMU-320 accelerates from 0 to 300 km/h in 230 seconds and is designed to operate at speeds up to 320 km/h.
10. Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000: 300km/h (Italy)
The Frecciarossa, also known as the red arrow, is a high-speed train developed through collaboration between Hitachi Rail Italy and Alstom, initially designed to compete with Italo, a private rail operator in Italy. Operated by Trenitalia, these trains, formally named ETR1000, are renowned for their speed and efficiency.
Each ETR1000 trainset consists of eight non-articulated cars, stretching 200 meters long, accommodating up to 457 passengers. While engineered for a maximum speed of 400 km/h, their operational speed typically reaches 300 km/h. During testing in 2015, one set achieved a remarkable speed of 389 km/h.
A total of 50 ETR1000 trainsets were manufactured, with one currently out of service following a derailment incident at Livraga in 2020. This tragic event, the first and only rail accident on Italy’s high-speed network, resulted in the loss of two train drivers and injuries to 31 passengers.