10 Longest High-Speed Rail Systems in the World
Check out the 10 longest high-speed rail systems in the world with our interactive map.
The advent of airplanes made it possible for people to travel around the world with greater ease and flexibility. Travel by land and sea must overcome friction and barriers. Travel by air, however, is mostly unimpeded and smooth gliding (with the occasional turbulence) and much much faster. With each passing year, air travel has become cheaper and more convenient (although the convenience is arguable), and people take to the skies with ever increasing numbers. Connecting all their flights are the hubs of the sky, the airport. In this post, we'll introduce you to the world's 10 busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic.
1China
- total: 38,155 km (23,708 miles)
- in Operation: 25,000 km (15,534 miles)
- under Construction: 16,155 km (10,038 miles)
- network Density: 2.61 m/km^2
- max Speed: 430 km/h (267 mph)
The Chinese high-speed rail system is the longest in the world and it's not even close. In fact, China has laid down more high-speed tracks than the rest of the world combined. The country completed its first high-speed rail line in 1998 and hasn't looked back.
2Spain
- total: 4,900 km (3,045 miles)
- in Operation: 3,100 km (1,926 miles)
- under Construction: 1,800 km (1,118 miles)
- network Density: 6.13 m/km^2
- max Speed: 310 km/h (193 mph)
The Spanish high-speed rail system in the longest in Europe. It's managed by Alta Velocidad Española aka AVE. The acronym also happens to be a play on the word ave, which means bird in Spanish.
3Japan
- total: 3,446 km (2,141 miles)
- in Operation: 2,765 km (1,718 miles)
- under Construction: 681 km (423 miles)
- network Density: 8.18 m/km^2
- max Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
Japan was the first country to provide high-speed rail service to the masses when it introduced the Shinkansen or bullet trains in 1964. Since its inception, the Japanese high-speed rail network has provided rides for over 10 billion passengers (as of 2017). Their high-speed rail network remains one of the longest in the world.
4Germany
- total: 3,368 km (2,093 miles)
- in Operation: 3,038 km (1,888 miles)
- under Construction: 330 km (205 miles)
- network Density: 8.51 m/km^2
- max Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
The German high-speed rail system is the 4th oldest in Europe after Russia, the UK, and France. Its system is managed by InterCity-Express, whose brand name ICE enjoys 100% brand recognition in Germany.
5France
- total: 3,317 km (2,061 miles)
- in Operation: 2,647 km (1,645 miles)
- under Construction: 670 km (416 miles)
- network Density: 4.13 m/km^2
- max Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
France's high-speed rail system is the 4th oldest in the world after Japan, Russia, and the UK.
6Turkey
- total: 1,925 km (1,196 miles)
- in Operation: 745 km (463 miles)
- under Construction: 1,180 km (733 miles)
- network Density: 0.95 m/km^2
- max Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
Turkey began building high-speed railways in 2003 and its system is one of the fastest growing in the world.
7Sweden
- total: 1,706 km (1,060 miles)
- in Operation: 1,706 km (1,060 miles)
- under Construction: 0 km (0 miles)
- network Density: 3.79 m/km^2
- max Speed: 205 km/h (127 mph)
Sweden's railways are operated by SJ, which stands for Statens Järnvägar and translates into State Railways.
8Italy
- total: 1,475 km (917 miles)
- in Operation: 1,350 km (839 miles)
- under Construction: 125 km (78 miles)
- network Density: 4.48 m/km^2
- max Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
The primary train operator in Italy is the government owned Trenitalia. It competes with Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, Europe's first private operator of high-speed railways.
9South Korea
- total: 1,441 km (895 miles)
- in Operation: 1,048 km (651 miles)
- under Construction: 393 km (244 miles)
- network Density: 10.46 m/km^2
- max Speed: 305 km/h (190 mph)
As of 2017, South Korea's high-speed rail network is the densest in the world at 10.45 m/km^2.
10Russia
- total: 1,415 km (879 miles)
- in Operation: 645 km (401 miles)
- under Construction: 770 km (478 miles)
- network Density: 0.04 m/km^2
- max Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Russia introduced the first high-speed rail system to Europe in 1974. But they did not begin commercial high-speed rail service until 1984, well after France, the UK, and Germany.