High-speed rail routes to ride now: 11 scenic trips worth booking

The fastest trains on Earth are reshaping how we travel: cutting hours from cross-country journeys, opening new city-to-city options and offering a greener alternative to short-haul flights. From Japan’s classic high-speed corridor to new links in North Africa and revived services across Europe, these routes now matter not just to rail fans but to anyone planning efficient, low-carbon travel in 2025.

Japan: Tokaido Shinkansen — Tokyo to Osaka

The classic corridor between the capital and Kansai remains the global benchmark for speed and reliability. Modern Nozomi services reach well above 250 km/h, shaving travel time to roughly two hours and change. For many travelers the highlight is not just the speed but the ritual: grabbing an ekiben at Tokyo Station and settling in to watch the landscape flash past — on a clear day you can glimpse Mount Fuji from the right-hand carriages when heading west.

Note: some premium Nozomi trains require a supplement beyond standard rail passes, so check ticket rules before you board.

Türkiye: YHT — Istanbul to Ankara

Linking Europe-facing Istanbul with the inland capital, the YHT offers one of the most varied high-speed rides: coastal views around the Gulf of İzmit, lakeside stretches and wide agricultural valleys. Trains hit up to 250 km/h and offer business-class comforts on many departures.

Morning direct services that start on Istanbul’s European side pass beneath the Bosphorus through the Marmaray tunnel — a neat reminder that modern rail now stitches continents together in minutes.

Italy: Frecciarossa — Milan to Venice

Fast, comfortable and well-suited to intercity tourism, the Frecciarossa connects the monumental Milano Centrale with Venice Santa Lucia. The line combines urban architecture, occasional vineyards and a brief lake-side stretch; the payoff arrives as you cross the Venetian Lagoon and first spot the islands — a cinematic arrival by rail that drops you almost straight onto the Grand Canal.

While the route doesn’t always use the newest executive-class rolling stock, it remains a convenient, scenic option for travelers who prize convenience and a central-to-central arrival.

Spain: AVE — Madrid to Santiago de Compostela

Spain has built one of the world’s most extensive high-speed networks, and the AVE route north-west to Galicia is a standout for its dramatic engineering: dozens of viaducts and sweeping views of the Galician Massif in the final hour. Trains are typically electric and increasingly powered by renewable energy sources, making them a lower-carbon choice for covering long distances.

If you plan to walk part of the Camino de Santiago, consider alighting at Ourense and completing the last ~100 km on foot; the station town is also known for its hot springs.

Central Asia: Afrosiyob — Tashkent to Bukhara

Uzbekistan’s high-speed Afrosiyob service shrinks what was once an arduous Silk Road journey into a comfortable few hours at speeds near 250 km/h. The line links major historical centers — Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara — and encourages tourism by making these cultural hubs easily accessible for short itineraries.

Service extensions planned through 2025 aim to add Khiva to the fast network, further reducing travel times to that isolated desert city.

China: Fuxing — the long-haul and the high-speed sleeper

China operates the planet’s largest high-speed network, and the Guangzhou–Beijing corridor is its longest high-speed run. Fuxing trains routinely reach 350 km/h on parts of the route. A notable recent innovation is the high-speed sleeper service: as of early 2025, the overnight option takes only a little longer than daytime express trips while offering lie-flat accommodation on long legs.

The scenery varies dramatically — sprawling megacities give way to patchwork rice fields and mountain-framed villages — which helps prevent the monotony that can come with multi-hour journeys.

UK–France: Eurostar — London to Paris

Covering the distance between two major capitals faster than air travel door-to-door is the Eurostar’s enduring appeal. The service traverses the Channel Tunnel, the undersea conduit that links the British Isles with the continent; the tunnel itself is function over flair, but the point-to-point speed and convenience are compelling, especially with recently reintroduced discount promotions for flexible travelers.

Morocco: Al Boraq — Tangier to Casablanca

African high-speed rail arrived with Al Boraq, which connects northern coastal Tangier with Casablanca on modern double-deck trains. Top speeds close to 320 km/h cut hours from journeys across the northern corridor and create practical, flight-free options for travelers arriving from Europe via ferry or short flights.

First-class tickets sometimes include lounge access at contemporary stations — a comfort boost for those transferring between trains.

Taiwan: THSR — Taipei to Kaohsiung

Taiwan’s single high-speed line threads the island’s west coast and turns what used to be a long domestic haul into roughly a coffee-break trip. The route’s elevated sections give clear views over rice paddies and small towns; trains are equipped with conveniences such as onboard wifi and adjustable seats, making the ride efficient and pleasant for both business travelers and tourists.

France–Germany: ICE — Paris to Berlin

Introduced at the end of 2024, the daytime ICE connection between Paris and Berlin provides a long, largely high-speed alternative to flying. The route winds through Alsace, crosses important rivers and moves steadily east, offering a readable cross-section of European landscapes. It’s an attractive option for travelers who prefer to spend a day on the train rather than taking a flight and losing time in airports.

China: Shanghai Maglev — airport shuttle with a record

As a technological showcase, the Shanghai Maglev remains unique: electromagnetic levitation eliminates wheel-on-rail friction and once allowed peak speeds above 400 km/h on a short airport run. Operational changes mean it runs more conservatively today, but riding it still delivers a visceral sense of what future ultra-high-speed transport might feel like.

• Seat tips: For views of Mount Fuji, pick a right-side window when traveling west on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
• Food on board: In many countries the best food moment is a station-bought boxed meal — ekiben in Japan or a biàndang in Taiwan — rather than relying on trolley service.
• Timing: Short daytime high-speed trips can replace flights; for overnight travel, consider high-speed sleepers where available to save daytime hours.
• Tickets and passes: Business class often includes extras (lounges, snacks, larger seats); check whether a rail pass or point-to-point ticket is better for your itinerary.

High-speed rail is expanding and evolving in 2025: new routes and service upgrades are shortening intercity travel times while cities and nations push for lower-emission mobility. For travelers weighing convenience, comfort and environmental impact, these lines are increasingly a practical choice rather than merely a novelty.

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Oliver Hayes

A globe-trotter and international trade enthusiast, Oliver explores the connection between business travel and trade opportunities.