Where’s your next destination? Travelling is not always about the destination; it is more about the journey. When we book a train ticket to our next destination, it becomes more about exploring the unknown path the rail track takes to reach that destination.
Travelling by train is always exciting to explore the unexplored; it gives us a feeling of pause in our fast-paced life and allows us to experience the journey in peace.
And all these emotions begin at the railway station itself. Railway stations are not just some old buildings; they have their own stories to unfold, and that is what makes the start of the journey way more exciting.
The world has got so many railway stations to make our travel easier and cheaper, but some are more than just old architectural buildings, revealing some stories that are worth visiting.
In this blog, we are listing some of the most amazing train stations from around the world that serve as a tourist spot in itself.
World’s Top Unique Railway Stations
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The architecture of the building resembles High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, well blended with traditional Indian palace designs. The station, which has eighteen platforms, combines Islamic, Hindu, and Victorian architectural elements and other notable features like peacock-filled windows and dog-faced gargoyles. The man behind this splendid architecture was Frederick Stevens. The entire construction was completed in the year 1887 and is tagged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The station opened as part of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations in India, which at the time was a part of the British Empire. Locals still refer to the station by its old name, Victoria Terminus, or VT.
Grand Central Terminal, New York
This is the world’s largest railway station, which houses 44 platforms and 67 railway tracks spread across two underground levels. Grand Central Terminal is the pride of New York City, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York. The terminal is spread across 48 acres of land and was first opened in the year 1913.
The design of the terminal is just breathtaking; the main concourse has a magnificent reverse turquoise ceiling painted with a Mediterranean zodiac chart of constellations. The iconic Four-Faced Clock, an opal-faced information booth clock in the middle of the main concourse, is worth millions of views. There is a unique whispering gallery designed as the ceramic-tiled arched vaults outside the oyster bar that allow individuals to whisper in opposite corners and still hear each other with clarity.
Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Japan
Shibuya Station is known for its iconic architecture and futuristic style. It opened in 1885 and connects the important JR East, Tokyo Metro, Tokyu, and Keio lines. The station's dynamic pedestrian scramble crossing is a hallmark of Tokyo's vibrant urban life. It serves about 2.4 million passengers each day, connects several private rail, subway, and JR lines, and is located immediately close to the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Dozens of platforms span multi-level underground and high buildings. The Hachiko Exit is home to the well-known bronze statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog who waited for his owner.
Antwerp Central Station, Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp Central Station, also known as the Railroad Cathedral, is a stunning combination of architectural styles that include Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau. Its magnificent dome and beautiful interior make it a cultural icon.
It was built between 1895 and 1905 and is generally known as the "Railway Cathedral" due to its great Neo-Baroque architecture and gigantic stone and glass dome, which has over 20 different varieties of marble and stones.
It is located near the Antwerp Zoo, near the diamond district, and is often highly ranked by international travel guide directories.
Paris Gare de Lyon
Paris has seven main stations, each of which is incredibly beautiful; however, this one is the most interesting, as it resembles Big Ben in France. This is one of the most prominent features of the station: the enormous clock tower on one of its corners. This was built by architect Marius Toudoire in the year 1900 for the World Exposition. This terminal houses the famous “Le Train Bleu restaurant, which has gold leaf ceilings and fresco-painted walls. This station is the primary gateway to southern and eastern France, as well as destinations in Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. It serves around 140 million travelers each year and is undoubtedly a tourist hub.
Hua Hin Train Station, Thailand
The Hua Hin Railroad Station was built in 1911 in the Hua Hin district of southern Thailand. Later, in 1926, the main station structure was restored in a Victorian design. One of Thailand's oldest train stations, the building's architecture showcases royal design that has red and white carved wooden pillars and trim, but it is the royal waiting room that makes all the difference. The lavishly decorated Royal Waiting Room (Phra Mongkut Klao Pavilion), which is about 850 meters from the beach, makes it a popular tourist destination that attracts every traveller.
Though the historic red and white station building is non-operative and is restored only for tourist attraction, the new station is highly modernized and is operative to handle train operations. The train route here mainly connects travellers travelling north to Bangkok and south toward Surat Thani and Hat Yai.
Wrapping Up
Our train journey starts at the railway station, but what if the station itself becomes an admiring destination in itself? This blog post has listed a few of the world’s top railway stations that have designs ranging from showcasing historic palaces and royal architecture to elevated-futuristic transit hubs, that are sure to blow your mind. Apart from these, many such incredible railway stations in the world have their own unique charms.
Next time you visit any of these places, do not forget to mark this iconic railway station in your itinerary, even if you are not taking the train route.
Do share with us which railway station you find most unique and interesting?