The 10 Fastest Trains in the World: An Italian Marvel Among Them
What is the Fastest Train in the World?
As of 2024, the updated ranking of the fastest trains globally highlights the countries, their maximum operational speeds in km/h, and their recorded speed.
Remarkably, one of these is Italian.
In several nations, high-speed rail networks provide a more convenient and eco-friendly alternative to flights.
Traveling by train often results in a lower carbon footprint per kilometer, making it one of the best choices for environmental impact.
Additionally, train journeys are frequently the more economical option.
The Top 10 Fastest Trains in the World
Here is the latest ranking of the top 10 fastest trains currently in operation:
The world’s fastest train, the Shanghai Maglev, utilizes powerful electromagnets to levitate above the tracks, which eliminates friction, decreases maintenance costs, and enables it to achieve higher maximum speeds.
The French TGV SNCF, meanwhile, holds the world record for commercial train speed.
A modified TGV prototype featuring two powered trucks reached 574.8 km/h in northern Champagne, France, in April 2007.
Japan’s Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the longest-standing train in this elite list.
It was the first high-speed rail system globally, launched in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, connecting the city to Osaka at 210 km/h.
Today, it operates at a speed of 320 km/h, transporting over a million passengers daily.
The Frecciarossa 1000 ranks 10th among the fastest trains in the world.
As the top performer of the Trenitalia fleet, it can travel on all high-speed networks across Europe, reaching speeds close to 400 km/h thanks to its 16 powerful engines distributed throughout its carriages.
| Country | Train Name | Max Operational Speed (km/h) | Speed Record (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | Shanghai Maglev | 460 | 501 |
| 🇨🇳 China | CR Harmony | 350 | 486 |
| 🇨🇳 China | CR Fuxing | 350 | 420 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | DB Intercity-Express 3 | 350 | 368 |
| 🇫🇷 France | SNCF TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) | 320 | 575 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | JR Shinkansen | 320 | 443 |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | ONCF Al Boraq | 320 | 357 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Renfe AVE 103 | 310 | 404 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Korail KTX-Sancheon | 305 | 421 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 | 300 | 389 |
Data on speed comes from Railway Technology, updated as of June 2023.
Future Developments
China is currently developing a new hyperloop maglev train named T-Flight, created by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
The train recently set a world speed record during tests, reaching 623 km/h.
Their goal is to enable trains to achieve speeds of 1,000 km/h by 2035.
Meanwhile, Japan is working on the L0 Maglev series, which will connect Tokyo and Nagoya over a distance of 286 kilometers in just 40 minutes, faster than a flight between the two cities.
