Railway stations are often housed in some of the most impressive landmark buildings in cities all around the world. This makes traveling using the train an efficient means of transportation and an enjoyable one of you like to admire the marvelous architecture.
In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the most famous train stations from all around the world, buildings in which it’s incredibly fun to travel by rail!
1. Grand Central Terminal, New York City, United States
One of the most iconic train stations in the world can be found at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Grand Central Terminal has appeared in numerous Hollywood movies and is renowned for its distinctive Beaux-Arts architecture, both on the outside and inside of the building.
Because of its central location in the largest city in the United States, it’s the third-busiest railway station in North America after New York Penn Station and Toronto Union Station. The current version of the station opened its doors in 1913 and was built on the location of 2 older versions that have been lost in history.
Official website: Grand Central Terminal
2. Liège-Guillemins, Liège, Belgium
One of the most famous train stations in the world that was recently completed is that of Liège-Guillemins, the main station in the Belgian city of Liège. The original version of this station was completed in 1842 and was completely rebuilt into a modern complex in 2009.
The architect of the structure was the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, world-famous for his revolutionary designs such as that of the Turning Torso in Malmö and the WTC HUb in New York City. This fascinating structure was built using steel, glass, and white concrete, and features a monumental arch which gives it its distinctive appearance.
Official website: Liège-Guillemins train station
3. Tokyo Station, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Station is the name of one of the most iconic railway stations in the enormous city of Tokyo, Japan. It’s located in Chiyoda, a special ward in the center of the city which features multiple government buildings. It’s the busiest station in Japan as well with nearly 4,000 trains passing here serving half a million travelers every day.
The station can be found just near the Marunouchi business district and next to the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, a popular tourist attraction in the city. The iconic brick-built façade of the building was completed at the opening of the station in the year 1914 and it has been seriously expanded the following decades.
4. Gare du Nord, Paris, France
The Gare du Nord is the North Station of Paris in France and one of the 6 mainline terminus stations in the country. It mainly serves routes going to the northern parts of France but also to other countries north such as Belgium, the Netherlands, etc., and is the busiest railway station in all of Europe with over 700,000 daily passengers.
The original train station in this location was built between 1861 and 1864 and was completely rebuilt in the late 19th century. The main façade is heavily decorated with sculptures and reliefs and is a work of art in itself. You’ll hardly find a better place to arrive in a city anywhere in the world, that’s for sure.
Official website: Gare du Nord
5. Kazansky Railway Station, Moscow, Russia
The Kazansky Railway Terminal is also known as the “Moscow Kazansky railway station” and mainly serves trains traveling east of Moscow, the capital of Russia. The original version of this railway station, which was named for its connection with the Russian city of Kazan, was built in 1862, and the magnificent building we see today was completed between 1913 and 1940.
The station can be found on Komsomolskaya Square and combines both the Tsarist and Stalinist architectural styles, resulting in one of the most remarkable train stations you’ll ever come across. The distinctive tower of the building was modeled on the iconic Söyembikä Tower in Kazan.
6. Milano Centrale, Milan, Italy
The most important station in the Italian city of Milan is the “Milano Centrale railway station.” Similar to the Gare du Nord, this is a terminus station located in the northern part of the city and offers connections to numerous other Italian cities, as well as other European countries.
The original central station of Milan was built in 1864 but the magnificent building we see today was inaugurated in 1931. It’s one of the busiest train stations in Europe as an estimated 120 million passengers use the station every year. It’s also considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
7. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and is one of the most stunning Gothic Revival buildings in Mumbai. It was completed in 1887 and was named Victoria Terminus upon completion in honor of the Empress of India, Queen Victoria.
This railway station can easily be described as one of the most amazing buildings in India as well as it combines Gothic architecture with traditional Indian architectural elements. It’s one of the busiest train stations in the country and houses the headquarters of the Central Railway of India.
