Fastest High Speed Trains Around The World

Came across an article about California's plan to build a bullet train. This irked my curiosity about the fastest train or should we call it bullet train around the world. In Japan, it is Shinkansen! How hard is it to say the word? It is like a speed! From the first bullet train I have experience, high speed rail has continued to advance and California will be having one in less than 10 years. This is exciting! The world has really changed it's speed for travel.

According to Travel Leisure, here are the 7 fastest trains in the world:

Japan: L0 Series Maglev (374 mph)
France: TGV POS (357 mph)
China: CRH380A Hexie (302 mph)
China: Shanghai Maglev (268 mph)
South Korea: HEMU-430X (262 mph)
China: Fuxing Hao CR400AF/BF (260 mph)
Italy: Frecciarossa 1000 (245 mph)

But there's more according to Railway Technology.

Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000: 300km/h (Italy)
Korail KTX-Sancheon: 305km/h (Korea)
Renfe AVE 103: 310km/h (Spain)
ONCF Al Boraq: 320km/h (Morocco)
JR Shinkansen: 320km/h (Japan)
SCNCF TGV: 320km/h (France)
DB ICE: 350km/h (Germany)
CR Fuxing: 350km/h (China)
CR Harmony: 350km/h (China)
Shanghai Maglev: 460km/h (China)

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The Japanese L0 Series Maglev will be the fastest train in the world when it starts operation in 2027 with a record speed of 603 kilometers/310 mph per hour. The first segment, from Tokyo to Nagoya, and will eventually be extended to Osaka. When completed, it will take about an hour and seven minutes to travel from Tokyo's Shinagawa Station to Osaka. Shhh... it's not ready yet, so, fingers crossed, as I hope to ride the newest train when it is in operation.

So, if you plan on going to Japan or any of the countries mentioned above, a bullet train is a must! My first Shinkansen was indeed a surprise arrival. I didn't feel the ride until I arrive. That's how fast, quiet and efficient bullet trains are in Japan. China's bullet train was even better because it is the newest! It feels like being transported from Suzhou to Shanghai without having to lift a finger. Thou it was a quick ride, from two hour drive to a 20 minute ride and luckily, we were the only ones in the car. We actually booked a first class ticket thinking it will be packed. But given the short ride, we settled in the standard and enjoyed the short ride.

Travel Guide reference books before you go:

Japan Guide
Japan Insider Tips and Local Insights:
Etiquette Guide to China: Know the Rules that Make the Difference!
Travel to China: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

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