Top 10 Fastest Trains in The World 2024: Check out more about the fastest ground vehicles

When we think of high-speed travel, we think of airplanes. But there are certain fastest trains in the world that can achieve top-speed as high as 500 to 600 kmph, reaching quite close to that of airplanes. In this article, we have discussed the top 10 fastest trains in the world along with their recorded top speed, the countries that boast them, and some other interesting details about them. Keep reading to know more.

10 Fastest Trains in the World 2024

The table provides the list of the top 10 fastest trains in the world along with their top speed and the country they are operational in.

Name	Top speed	Country
L0 Series SCMaglev	375 mph (603 km/h)	Japan
CRRC Qingdao Sifang 2021 Maglev	373 mph (600 km/h)	China
TGV POS	357.2 mph (574.8 km/h)	France
CRH380A Hexie	302 mph (486.1 km/h)	China
Shanghai Maglev	268 mph (431 km/h)	China
HEMU-430X	262 mph (421 km/h)	South Korea
Fuxing Hao CR400AF	261 mph (418 km/h)	China
Siemens Velaro	250.8 mph (403.7 km/h)	Spain
Frecciarossa 1000	245 mph (394 km/h)	Italy
Talgo AVRIL HSR	240 mph (380 km/h)	Spain

World’s 10 Fastest Trains

Now that we have discussed the 10 fastest trains in the world, it’s time to learn a little bit more about them in detail.

1. L0 Series Maglev

Even when operational, these trains will achieve a maximum average speed of up to 500 kmph. The train will begin its passenger service in 2027 and will cover the distance from Tokyo to Osaka in just 67 minutes.

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2. CRRC Qingdao Sifang 2021 Maglev

CRRC Qingdao Sifang 2021 Maglev is the next train to be featured in the list of the world’s 10 fastest trains with a speed of 600 kmph. It is expected that the train will become operational in 2025. The 2021 Maglev will have a capacity of 200 to 1000 passengers.

3. TGV POS

The TGV POS train set number 4402 made a world record in 2007 when it reached the top speed of 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph). Even in 2024, it is one of the fastest-running trains and the fastest train that is currently operational. This train also links France to Germany and Switzerland.

4. CRH380A Hexie

CRH380A Hexie is another Chinese train to be featured among the world’s fastest trains that can operate at a top speed of over 300 mph. Not based on a foreign design, there are certain accusations that this train is based on unlicensed Shinkansen technology.

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5. Shanghai Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev train was the first commercial high-speed maglev train that is also the fastest overall operational rail network in the world. The train operates in Shanghai, China, and has a cruising speed of 431 km/h (268 mph).

6. HEMU-430X

High-Speed Electric Multiple Unit-430X or HEMU-430X is the fastest train in South Korea running at a top speed of 262 mph. With this train, South Korea became the fourth country in the world after France, Japan, and China to develop a high-speed train.

7. Fuxing Hao CR400AF

Fuxing Hao CR400AF is another train from China that is one of the fastest conventional high-speed trains in regular service. The train is being operated in Indonesia and known as KCIC400AF. The train has been in service since 2016.

8. Siemens Velaro

Build by Europe’s largest industrial manufacturing company Siemens, the Velaro series is among the fastest trains in 2024. A Siemens Velaro train-set (AVE S-103) running in Spain was able to reach a speed of 403.7 km/h (250.8 mph). Other than Spain, the series also operates in China, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Russia, and Turkey.

9. Frecciarossa 1000

Frecciarossa 1000 is an Italian train operational since 2013 that can reach a top speed of up to 245 miles per hour or 394 kilometers per hour. Other than Italy, the train also runs in some parts of Spain and France.

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10. Talgo AVRIL HSR

The list of top 10 fastest trains in the world concludes with another Spanish train Talgo AVRIL HSR. This 201.9 meter long and 3.2 meter wide train offer a capacity of more than 600 passengers and can run at a top speed of 380 km/h or 240 mph.

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