5 Countries With Largest High Speed Rail Network

In this article, we are going to look at 5 countries with the largest high speed rail networks. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global high speed railway market, you can go to 20 Countries With Largest High Speed Rail Network.

5. Germany

Length Of The High Speed Rail Network: 1,571 Kilometers

With 1,571 kilometers of high speed rail network, Germany ranks among the top 5 countries with largest high speed rail network in the world. As part of its high speed rail network, Germany has an upgraded line as well as a number of new lines where the top speed can reach around 300 km/h. Moreover, there are a number of high speed rail lines that are currently under construction in Germany.

4. France

Length Of The High Speed Rail Network: 2,735 Kilometers

Opened in 1981, the first French high speed railway, the LGV Sud-Est, connected the suburbs of Paris and Lyon. As of 2022, with 2,735 kilometers of high speed rail network, France ranks among some of the top countries with a large network of high-speed rail lines. Moreover, new lines are being planned and some lines are currently under construction.

3. Japan

Length Of The High Speed Rail Network: 3,081 Kilometers

Japan is famous for its bullet trains. The Shinkansen is a network of high speed railway lines in Japan which was originally built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, to promote economic growth and development. The original Tokaido Shinkansen, linking 3 of the country’s largest cities, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, remains one of the world’s busiest high speed rail lines. Japan has 3,081 kilometers of high speed rail network and ranks at the number 3 spot in our list of 20 countries with largest high speed rail network.

2. Spain

Length Of The High Speed Rail Network: 3,661 Kilometers

In Spain, High speed railways opened in 1992 and the first line linked the cities of Madrid, Córdoba and Seville. With 3,661 kilometers of high speed rail network, Spain has the largest high speed rail network in Europe and the second largest in the world. The extensive high speed railway network allows for fast connections between Spanish cities. The Spanish Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) high-speed AVE trains operate on the largest high speed network in Europe, running at speeds of up to 310 km/h.

1. China

Length Of The High Speed Rail Network: 40,474 Kilometers

With 40,474 kilometers of high speed rail network, China tops our list of the 20 countries with largest high speed rail network by quite a margin. The high speed rail network in China accounts for two-thirds of the world’s total high speed railway networks. The world’s longest high speed rail network encompasses newly built rail lines and is capable of accommodating high speed trains running at a speed of 250-350 km/h.

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