Faster than the bullet train: Etihad Rail on track to join world’s top 10

New 350kph rail service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be right up there

Plans for the UAE's first high-speed passenger rail service have been announced. Victor Besa / The National

Trains have come a long way since the early days of steam locomotives chugging across landscapes in the 19th century.

Since the launch of Japan's famed Shinkansen in 1964, high-speed railways have become one of the most efficient ways to connect cities, countries and even continents – moving passengers at speeds of up to 460kph.

Etihad Rail has announced a high-speed passenger service that will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 30 minutes at speeds of up to 350kph, making it a contender to join the list of the world's fastest passenger trains.

The high-speed rail network will have six stations between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

A launch date has yet to be announced but, when it opens, the service could be a game-changer for residents, just as other high-speed trains have been in other parts of the world.

While we wait, here’s a look at the 10 current fastest trains in the world.

Shanghai Maglev, China

Speed: 460kph

Also known as the Shanghai Transrapid, the service operates at 460kph at its maximum, with an average speed of 251kph.

It connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station, where passengers can then interchange with the Shanghai Metro to continue their trip to the city centre. The journey takes eight minutes and 10 seconds to complete the total distance of about 30km.

Unlike traditional high-speed trains, this model employs electromagnetic force to hover above the track, eliminating friction and ensuring a smooth, quiet ride.

CR Hexie, China

Speed: 350kph

China Railway high-speed harmony bullet trains. Reuters

Also known as the China Railway (CR) Harmony, the high-speed train operate at a top speed of 350kph.

It serves many of China's busiest routes, connecting major cities. Some of its prominent routes include the Beijing-Shanghai railway, connecting both destinations in 4.5 hours, spanning a distance of 1,318km. It also operates on the Guangshengang XRL, which connects Guangzhou and Hong Kong in under an hour.

CR Fuxing, China

Speed: 350kph

Also operated by China Railway, these were the first domestically produced high-speed trains in the country. It's the predecessor of the Hexie, which blends foreign and domestic technology. The trains also run on the Beijing-Shanghai route, as well as other prime corridors, such as the Beijing-Zhangjiakou intercity railway, which was built for the 2022 Winter Olympics and was touted as the world's first fully driverless high-speed railway.

Intercity-Express 3, Germany

Speed: 350 kph

An Ice 3 train on the tracks with Cologne Cathedral in the background. Getty Images

Germany's Ice 3 is a family of high-speed electric multiple-unit trains. It can travel up to 330kph and is used in the country's busiest routes, such as the Frankfurt-Cologne line, which cuts through scenic landscapes in just over an hour. It is also used internationally, connecting Germany to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Frankfurt-Paris route takes three hours and 40 minutes, making it a decent alternative to flying.

Train a Grand Vitesse, France

Speed: 320kph

The TGV can reach commercial speeds of 320kph, with some models achieving record-breaking speeds during tests. In 2007, a TGV train set a world rail speed record of 574.8kph.

It connects France's major cities, also extending its reach into neighbouring countries such as the UK and Spain. One of its busiest routes is the Paris-Lyon line, which takes about two hours. TGV also powers the Eurostar, which connects Paris and London in two hours and 15 minutes, as well as Thalys, which connects the French capital to Brussels and Amsterdam.

JR Shinkansen, Japan

Speed: 320kph

A Shinkansen bullet train runs in front of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka, Japan. Getty Images

Japan's Shinkansen, often referred to as the bullet train, is the world's first high-speed railway system. It launched in 1964, connecting Tokyo and Osaka. Today, it's an integral part of Japan's infrastructure, covering the entirety of Japan's main islands Honshu, Kyushu and Hokkaido. It currently spans 3,000km of track.

The original and most famous Shinkansen line is the Tokaido line, which connects Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, the country's three largest metropolitan areas. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete the journey. Other routes include Osaka-Hakata, which links Osaka with Hiroshima and Hakata in less than 2.5 hours, as well as the Tokyo-Aomori line, which traverses Japan's scenic countryside.

Al Boraq, Morocco

Speed: 320kph

Launched in 2018, the service marks Morocco's entry into the elite world of high-speed rail travel and is the fastest train in Africa. It operates at speeds of up to 320kph and connects Tangier to Casablanca, the country's economic hub. The journey takes about two hours and 10 minutes, a significant improvement over the previous five-hour travel time, and also has stops in cities such as Kenitra and Rabat. Plans to extend the network to Marrakesh and Agadir in the south are under way.

Renfe AVE, Spain

Speed: 310kph

The Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE) spans more than 3,500km, making it one of the longest high-speed rail systems in the world. It services one of Europe's busiest routes, Madrid-Barcelona, which covers 621km or a two-hour-and-half travel time. It runs on other routes too, including Madrid-Valencia, which links the major Spanish city with the Mediterranean coast, as well as international connections to France.

Korail KTX-Sancheon, South Korea

Speed: 305kph

South Korea's flagship high-speed train connects Seoul to other cities, such as Busan on the Gyeongbu Line at two hours and 30 minutes, and Mokpo on the Honam Line, which takes just over two hours.

Haramain High-Speed Railway, Saudi Arabia

Speed: 300kph

A Haramain speed train at King Abdullah Economic City. Reuters

Also known as the Western Railway, the service was launched in 2018 and connects Makkah and Madinah. It covers about 450km of distance, with the full journey taking about two hours and 20 minutes, compared to a six-hour drive. It also has stops in Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City, and has been a comfortable option for pilgrims and residents in the kingdom.