9 Most Breathtaking And Beautiful Train Stations in The World

BENGALURU: All of us have heard of the world’s best trains but have we heard of the world’s most spectacular railway stations? Bet you have not. Train travel is not only fast and efficient, but also provides ample opportunity to admire some of the world's greatest architecture, according to fodors.com.

Grand Central Terminal, New York:

Grand Central Terminal is 102 years old and it looks as gorgeous today as it did in 1913. In the main concourse, a celestial ceiling mural hovers above passengers buying tickets at the antique gold-barred ticket windows. Magnificent gold chandeliers proudly display naked bulbs, showing off the power of electricity, which was still relatively new when Cornelius Vanderbilt had the station built. The enormous station is the world's largest and also has tennis courts upstairs.

St. Pancras International, London:

St. Pancras International station’s immense halls greet people arriving in London from all over the UK, France and Belgium on the Eurostar. The station took 20 years to build and when it was completed in 1868, it was the largest enclosed space in the world. The red brick Gothic facade remains a testament to England’s great Victorian architecture, even surviving the Blitz during WWII. During the war, it was an important escape route and meeting point for the Allied soldiers.

Estacion de Madrid Atocha, Madrid:

A lush tropical garden grows in the main concourse of the Estacion de Atocha in Madrid. It was Madrid's first and largest train station, originally inaugurated in 1851. When a fire destroyed the first building, a glorious, wrought iron station designed by Alberto de Palacio Elissagne, with help from Gustave Eiffel, replaced it. In 1992, a more modern terminal was built adjacent, replacing it as a transit hub.

Passengers traveling through the new terminal can still pass through Atocha Station, which contains shops, cafes and a nightclub.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai:

The historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a symbol of Bombay's prestige. Originally known as Victoria Terminus, it was designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens to honor Queen Victoria, Empress of India. The imposing Victorian Gothic Revival station took 10 years to build and was completed in 1888. A fusion of Western and Eastern styles, it was inspired by St. Pancras as well as Indian palace architecture.

Shinjuku Station, Japan:

It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing train station but Shinjuku makes our list for logistical reasons. Around 3.5 million people use it each day, making it the world's busiest transport hub. There are 36 platforms and over 200 exits.

Estacao de Sao Bento, Porto, Portugal:

The most notable feature in Porto's Sao Bento Station is the wonderful tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history. They are the work of Jorge Colaco and show events including the Battle of Valdevez and the Conquest of Ceuta. The station itself opened in 1916.

Haydarpasa Terminal, Istanbul:

The palatial Haydarpasa Terminal is perched on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Kad?koy neighborhood. The site was chosen for the terminus of the Baghdad Railway and the Hejaz Railway in 1904 and the neo-classical building was completed in 1909. The station looks European for a reason—the Anatolian Railway brought on German architects Otto Ritter and Helmut Conu, who employed German and Italian stonemasons to sculpt the impressive building.

Tanggula Mountain Railway Station, Tibet:

At 5,068m above sea level, Tanggula is the world's highest train station. It is found on the Qingzang railway line, which runs from Qinghai to Lhasa, in Tibet. A few years back, Telegraph Travel's Fionnuala McHugh embarked on a 4,000 mile rail journey from Hong Kong to Lhasa, including a stop at Tanggula.

Liege-Guillemins Station, Liege, Belgium:

Santiago Calatrava's sleek, curvaceous train station in Liege has earned the contemporary architect countless accolades and attracts architecture buffs to this small Belgian city. Made of steel, glass and white concrete, the station seems to bring the outside in, with light pouring in through the windows and skylights. High-speed trains shuttle passengers off to other parts of Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.