Railway stations are evocative, personal, and so much more interesting than airports or bus stations. Take a look at most iconic and beautiful buildings—train stations in the world. So let's explore the most eye-catching and impressive railway stations in the world.
1. Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, India
This is in Mumbai, India. Mumbai is the capital of Bollywood.It is one of the busiest railway stations in the world.It handles about more than 3 million people each day. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, features a seamless and stunning blend of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival and traditional Indian Mughal styles. A number of new buildings were added over the years, but they were all designed to blend in with the station’s original design. It is serving both long distance and commuter trains leaving from Mumbai. If the picture of the station looks familiar to you, that’s because you probably saw it in the movie Slumber Millionaires is an uplifting finale in the Oscar-winning movie. If you are not in hurry you must don't forget to take a look at this marvellous building.The best thing about the station? Watching a train depart in peak hour and seeing how Indians live: full on, without complaint.
2. Grand Central Terminal, USA
This is arguably the most famous train station in the U.S and has repeatedly been named the most beautiful station in the world. While most people call it Grand Central Station, this New York landmark is actually officially titled Grand Central Terminal.Grand Central is on a scale of its own, a wonderful monument to the classic Age of Rail which built America. It's hard to go past Grand Central, often referred to as "The world's loveliest station". About 22 million tourists visit this amazing railway station even if they are not catching a train. It has 44 platforms and has appeared in more movies such as Men In Black, The Godfather, Carlito's Way. The magnificent Grand Hall is known around the world through its appearance in innumerable films and TV shows. The world's largest train station has a lot to offer, including the world's largest Tiffany clock. It is an iconic clock in the main concourse. The fabulous and cavernous Main Concourse that is Grand Central's jewel in the crown. Be sure to save time for champagne and seafood at the station's justly-celebrated Oyster Bar.
3. St. Pancras International, UK
This is in London, UK and it is also called as the “cathedrals of the railways". The station’s arched train shed, designed by William Henry Barlow. It has the largest single-span roof in the entire world. Though it has been under threat of closure in the '60s—at which point it was considered redundant—the station was saved by its fans, including Poet Laureate John Betjeman. These days, the station has 15 platforms and is not only a stop for traditional trains but also houses a London Underground stop, a shopping centre and a bus station. It's spectacular, offering perhaps the best view in London of the River Thames and the dramatic new eastern skyline including Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral, Norman Foster's "Gherkin" and Renzo Piano's "Shard".
4. Liege-Guillemins, Belgium
This train station is open on all sides and is an example of environmentally sustainable architecture. And there are no artificial lighting during the day. The design, by architect Santiago Calatrava, is strikingly modern, with a monumental arch that reaches 105 feet tall consisting of steel, glass, and white concrete. While the station only houses five platforms, it is one of the most important hubs in Belgium because all of the tracks are compatible with high-speed trains.
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5. Gare De Lyon, Paris
Gare De Lyon, one of the other six major railway termini in Paris, is still the northern terminus of the Paris to Marseille railway, served by some of the fastest trains in the world, with a facade which includes one of the most famous clock towers in European history. But the real reason to come here if you are not heading south is to experience Le Train Bleu. Originally called Le Buffet de la Gare de Lyon, this Belle Epoque restaurant is a wondrous confection of over-the-top decoration.
6. Harry Potter railway station - King's Cross
Platform 9 3/4 is where you need to be Catch the train to Hogwarts in Harry Potter. A large amount of fans visit London's King's Cross station to search for the platform. Be warned, though only the true magic students actually make it through that brick wall.
7. Istanbul Sirkeci Terminal, Turkey
Also known as the Istanbul Terminal, this station was designed by architect Jachmund. The design is considered to be one of the most famous pieces of European Orientalism and has influenced numerous architects since it was built. The terminal is offering built-in gas lighting and heating from the day it was opened.Its location alone places it at the forefront of stations which must be visited: a prime waterfront location on the Golden Horn, with ferries waiting to take you over the Bosphorus to Asia. Travel never gets any more exciting than this.
8. Central Station, Tokyo
This is the busiest station in Japan. It is the fifth busiest in Eastern Japan in terms of passengers a day. It is also the starting point and terminus of most of Japan's bullet trains and is close to some of Japan's most important tourism draw cards, including the Imperial Palace and the shops of Ginza.
9. Luz Station, Brazil
This station is particularly notable for being assembled in Glasgow, then disassembled, shipped to Brazil, and then reassembled in its current location. During the early part of the 20th century, Luz Station was the main entrance to Sao Paulo. The station is stunning and attracts a good number of visitors, many of whom are also there to see the Museum of the Portuguese Language located inside the station.
10. Goathland Station, UK
This is One of the most beautiful stations in the world. This station (originally known as Goathland Mill) is on the deviation line opened by the North Eastern Railway in 1865 to avoid the cable-worked Beck Hole Incline, which was part of the original 1836 Whitby and Pickering Railway route. Goathland railway station is a station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and serves the village of Goathland in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. It is famous for appearing as Aidensfield station in the television series Heartbeat, as Hogsmeade station the Hogwarts Express stop in the Harry Potter films, as Mannington in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small, and in the end of the video of "Holding Back the Years", a Simply Red song released in 1985. Holiday accommodation is available in the form of a camping coach.
11. Milano Centrale, Italy
The Milano Centrale isn't just one of the busiest stations in Italy—it's one of the busiest in all of Europe. Architect Ulisse Stacchini based his design for the building on Washington DC’s Union Station, but after Italy suffered a serious economic crisis during WWI, construction on the building proceeded extremely slowly, and the original simple building design started to become more and more elaborate as time passed. Later, this becomes more complex and beautiful as a symbol of power for the fascist regime. The end result is a gorgeous and original blend of a variety of architectural styles, including Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
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