Class 374 Eurostar e320 Class 374s are currently the fastest trains currently operating on UK shores. Known to most as Eurostar e320 trains, Class 374s have a top speed of 199mph, but are limited to 186mph while in operation. Along with their elder Class 373 cousins (Eurostar e300), operate exclusively on the
HS2's new British-built, bullet style trains will travel at up to 225mph on both high-speed and existing railway lines. We are building HS2 in phases.
Although unlikely to be spoken about alongside the world's fastest trains like Japan's famous Shinkansen or France's TGV services, the Tilt Train holds the record for the fastest train speed ever recorded in Australia at 210km/h (the train's top speed during regular service is 160km/h).
How fast does Eurostar go? Our trains can reach a maximum speed of 300 kilometres per hour (that's 186 miles per hour) on the high-speed lines in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Throughout the Channel Tunnel, Eurostar trains travel at a speed of 160 Kilometres per hour (100 mph).
The trains will also be the fastest trains in the United Kingdom and Europe. The interior layout will be decided following a two and a half year design process involving HS2 Ltd, the Department for Transport and the West Coast Partnership.
Japanese-style bullet trains will be coming to the UK after a US$2.6 billion contract was signed on Thursday for London's next-generation High Speed 2 rail project, or HS2.
Building on the latest technology from the Japanese Shinkansen 'bullet train' and European high-speed network, they will be some of the fastest, quietest and most energy efficient high-speed trains operating anywhere in the world.
Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest and most convenient way of discovering Japan. The Japan Rail (JR) network is extensive and the trains reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). This allows you to get to wherever you need in little time. The nine Shinkansen lines take you in different directions around Japan.
Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the rest of Europe at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
1: Shanghai Maglev - 460 kph/286 mph (China)
The world's fastest public train is also unique – it's the only link in the world currently carrying passengers using magnetic levitation (Maglev) rather than conventional steel wheels on steel rails.
“Australians do love the idea of fast trains and I love fast trains too, but Australia is just not suited to high speed rail. And that's because our cities are too small and they're too far apart. And I would also say it would be ruinously expensive,” she said.
The cost was to be about $4.5 billion. About $1 billion would have been required from government, but this was denied. It was a lost opportunity for Australia. Instead, the Howard government funded yet another study, which effectively found high-speed rail to be too expensive.
These trains run at up to 160km/h on upgraded tracks. Further track upgrading is under way in Victoria. Queensland and Western Australia also have trains that can move at 160km/h on good tracks.
Trenitalia's Paris to Milan route was first introduced in December 2021, serviced by Hitachi Rail's ETR1000. This super high speed train travels at 300km/h - with the ability to go400km/h if not limited by track regulations - making it the fastest train in Europe.
The maximum speed currently possible in the UK is 186mph, achieved by Eurostar trains on the HS1 line between London and the Channel Tunnel. The HS1 line is used by Eurostar services and "Javelin" commuter services from Kent, although the latter have a max speed of 140mph.
Amtrak's Acela, which reaches 150 mph (240 km/h) over 49.9 mi (80.3 km) of track, is the US's only high-speed rail service. Acela trains will reach top speeds of 165 mph (265 km/h) when new trains enter service, and 186 mph (300 km/h) in coming years.
The speed of both trains is comparable; the TGV holding the world speed record by rail at 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) even if its cruising speed is set at 300 km/h (186 mph) like the Shinkansen.
How has Eurostar been impacted by Brexit? This week, Eurostar will end its services from London to Disneyland Paris due to Brexit-related red tape. Since the UK left the European Union, train stations receiving services from London have had to introduce passport and baggage checks.
The verdict
However, if you're happy to book well in advance, and want the least amount of hassle, then the Eurostar is the best option. It is also usually the quickest if you live more than an hour from an airport, and arriving in the city center is a great way to explore or work and save time on shorter trips.
China high speed trains, also known as bullet or fast trains, can reach a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). Over 2,800 pairs of bullet trains numbered by G, D or C run daily connecting over 550 cities in China and covering 33 of the country's 34 provinces.
In 2004, the Shanghai Maglev Train became the world's first commercially operated high-speed maglev. As of 2023, it remains the fastest commercial train in the world with peak speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph) and makes the 30.5 km (19.0 mi) trip in less than 7.5 minutes.
Another one of the fastest trains in the world is also Chinese. A line of fast trains is called the China Railway (CR) Fuxing and can reach speeds of 420 kilometers/hour in testing but typically travel at 350 kilometers/hour.
Historic Hostility to Investment in Rail
Successive British governments have not followed up on the potential of high-speed rail, and plans have fallen to the wayside. Despite petitions and public support for faster trains, the government has been reluctant to invest in these vast projects.
But to take the wider spirit of the question, there are a few reasons why high-speed train lines aren't used here: Short distances. About 80% of the population lives in a very small area between Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and London. Spending a lot of money to go not very far more quickly is questionable.
TGVs - Trains à Grande Vitesse - are the pride of SNCF (French railways), running at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on a network linking towns and cities across much of France. In fact, trains reach 320 km/h (199 mph) on the newer TGV-Est & TGV-Rhin-Rhone routes.