All aboard the fastest trains in the world
So, what does it take to be among the elite of high-speed rail travel? There’s no defining standard for high-speed rail, but there is an expectation that current lines are should reach more than 200km/h (124 mph) and future installations will top 250km/h (155mph).
Below we list the top 8 fastest trains* in the world based on top speed achieved, whether they are in commercial operation or still in testing.
Japanese L0 Series Maglev
As of March 2022, the Japanese L0 Series Maglev is the fastest train, reaching a top speed of 602km/h (374mph) although it’s not yet in full commercial operation. Maglev technology uses electro-magnetic force, with the train "levitating" (magnetic levitation) above the track – there’s no physical contact between the train and rail track.
CRRC Qingdao Sifang 2021 Maglev
Also in final trial stage is the Chinese CRRC Qingdao Sifang 2021 Maglev train, sitting just behind the L0 Series Maglev by hitting a high speed of 600km/h. Train technology is also expected to include 5G Wi-Fi connectivity and provide wireless charging options for travellers.
Putting this speed into context, it takes just under 2.5 hours to fly the 1,000km between Beijing and Shanghai (a 10hrs train journey by conventional rail). The CRRC would complete the journey in just over 3 hours, giving a real alternative to air travel between these two major cities (not to mention the time saved through not having to check-in, taxi on runways etc).
The train was showcased at the 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, held in Beijing in 2025.
TGV POS
The fastest train in commercial operation is the French TGV POS. On 3rd April 2007 is set a record speed of 575km/h (357mph) using both power cars of the TGV POS trainset. Given it was the first time that double-decker cars were used at such a high-speed, the carriages were transformed into a laboratory for the occasion so that technicians could gather data for analysis.
Shanghai Maglev
The fastest train in commercial operation using maglev technology is the Shanghai Maglev which achieved its record 501km/h (311mph) speed back in November 2003. As a commercial vehicle, the top operational speed is restricted to 431km/h (268 mph), hovering along the frictionless rail.
CRH380A
The Chinese CRH380A pushed its top speed to 486.1km/h (302mph) by using a longer 16-car train-set compared to its earlier 8-car train-set reaching 416.6km/h (259mph). Despite the ability to go significantly faster, the operational cruising speed is capped at 350km/h (217mph) with a maximum speed of 380km/h (236mph) during commercial travel.
CR450 EMU
In June 2023 bullet trains test run at a speed of 453 km/h (267mph) in East China's Fujian province’s Meizhou Bay Bridge from opposite directions, passing each other. Many scientific research tests were carried out during the test runs to assess the technical feasibility and performance stability of the new components of the CR450 EMU. Data was collected under different speeds and at various points along the high-speed railway such as in tunnels, on bridges and around curves.
HEMU-430X
South Korea have a place on the list with the HEMU-430X which reached a top speed of 421.4km/h (262mph) back in March 2013 - that said, it was expected to reach 430km/h! South Korea joins France, Japan and China as the fourth country to develop a train that can surpass 420km/h. The HEMU-430X is a faster and bigger successor to the country’s first domestic high-speed train the KTX-Sancheon which had a top speed of 305km/h (190mph).
Fuxing Hao CR400AF/CR400BF
China’s last entry on the high-speed rail list is the affectionately named ‘Dolphin Blue’ CR400AF and ‘Golden Phoenix’ CR400BF which can both hit high speeds of 420km/h (261mph). On a journey between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao stations that would take a conventional train around 10 hours to complete, these trains take only 4 hours 18 minutes.
The benefits of high speed rail
Interestingly, whilst many would think of high-speed trains as simply a benefit for passenger travel, many countries have expanded operations to include a freight services too, which can play a part in the reduction of carbon emissions where goods are transported long distances.
Maglev networks are seen as the future of travel in many countries, although barriers to entry include incompatibility with existing rail track infrastructure and high associated costs. As a global leader in high-speed rail, China has used the maglev technology for nearly two decades but it’s still on a limited scale.
Ones to watch out in high speed rail
While not amongst the top 8, it is worth noting that Spain’s state-run operator Renfe operates Class 103 high speed trains in an expanding high speed rail network across the country. In 2006, an S103 achieved a record top speed of 403.7km/h, a Spanish record speed for rail vehicles.
In Africa, Moroccan national operator Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc (ONCF), operates the continent’s first high-speed railway, Al Boraq, with TGV 2n2f running at speeds as high as 320km/h on dedicated tracks.
Which country will be the next to break into that exclusive 420km/h club?
*to the best of our knowledge, all information is correct as of April 2026
