Traveling by train has been a longtime favorite slow pace commuter or backpacker but with these fastest trains in the world, it is becoming a favorite of those seeking adventure or to save precious time without the inconvenience or airports. So no matter where you are in the world, check out some of these fastest trains in the world and hold onto your seats!

HSL-1
Belguim’s HSL-1 has been operating since 1997 at a top-speed of 186mph. This means it can make it from Brussels to Paris is less than 90 minutes. While that is a definitely a quick ride, with landscapes so beautiful you may wish it was slower so you stop and smell the tulips.

Shanghai’s Maglev
Shanghai’s fast bullet train has been running commercially for over 10 years and was the first commercially operated electromagnet train. It runs 30km from Longyang Road Station of Metro Line 2 and ending at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It achieves a speed of a whopping 270mph!

Harmony CRH 380A
China is also home to the second fastest operating train in the world has been operating since 2010. It runs from Beijing to Shanghai and reaches nearly 500 kilometers per hour. CRH 380A is one part of a four part Chinese train system which were designed to run on newly constructed high-speed lines that run at average speeds of 380 kilometers per hour and and are based on all original Chinese designs.

Japan’s SCMaglev
Japan’s brand new “mag-lev bullet train” can travel as fast as 10 miles per second! This crazy fast train uses electromagnets to ride friction free. This train is so fast it recently broke the land speed world record. This train is planned to be in commercial use by Japan in 2027.

ETR 500
Italy’s ETR 500 makes the breathtaking trip from Milan to Bologna in less than an hour. With top speeds of over 190mph this train is bound to get your heart racing if the Italian fashions don’t. Let’s hope the onboard food can live up to the Italian standards!

Eurostar
While the view might not be the best (since the Eurostar goes under the British the famous channel or “chunnel,”) It’s speed is definitely impressive at a whopping 199mph. This is a perfect commute from London to Paris. Which by the way sounds like a pretty glamorous commute!

So whether you are a commuter in a hurry or seeking a once in a lifetime thrill ride, be sure to add  one of these fastest trains in the world to your next trip. If you are in Asia or Europe chances are you may be near enough to enjoy record fast travel time aboard a cutting edge mega fast train. The allure of the rails has never been so strong or fast!