The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

1. Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Germany)

Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station) is one of the biggest and most beautiful railway stations in Europe.

An architectural wonder, it is Europe's largest two-level railway station with 14 platforms and 80 retail stores. It was inaugurated on May 26, 2006.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

Located on the site of the historic Lehrter Bahnhof, the station is operated by DB Station & Service, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG.

Classified as a Category 1 station, it is one of twenty stations in Germany and third in Berlin.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Visitors stroll through the Berlin Hauptbahnhof in Berlin.
Photographs: Tobias Schwarz/Reuters.

The building in Spreebogen combines striking architecture with the mobility requirements of the 21st century.

Every day around 1,100 long-distance, regional and rapid transit trains call at the 14 platforms on two different levels.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

2. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (Malaysia)

A historical building, the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station with Moorish architecture design was completed in 1910.

A hub for Malaysia's rail transportation system, its tall minarets and arches make it one of the most impressive railway stations in the world.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Kuala Lumpur Railway station.
Photographs: Reuters.

The building was refurbished in 1986 with facilities like air conditioned waiting halls, stalls and information counters.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: A light rail transit train is seen in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Photographs: Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Nordpark Cable Railway.

3. Nordpark Cable Railway (Austria)

The Nordpark Cable Railway has four new stations and a cable-stayed suspension bridge over the river Inn. The station opened in December 2007.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Nordpark Cable Railway.

Zaha Hadid Architects built the Nordpark Cable Railway in 2005.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Nordpark Cable Railway.

It was awarded the Gold Medal for design by the International Olympic Committee in 2005.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Gare de Strasbourg.

4. Gare de Strasbourg (France)

Designed by Berlin-based architect Johann Jacobsthal, in 1883 the railway station in Strasbourg, France, was renovated in 2007.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Gare de Strasbourg.

The 120-metre-long glass construction blends with the historic design of the train station.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Gare de Strasbourg.

The 25-metre space between the dome and the building is another big highlight.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Kanazawa Station.

5. Kanazawa Station ( Japan)

It is one of the most futuristic and unique stations in Japan.

The station is a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary architecture.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Kanazawa Station.

The wooden temple gate with glass and steel, is on the West Japan Railway's Hokuriku Line.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Kanazawa Station.

A 14-metre high gate leads to the station's main entrance. The giant dome which connects the west and east side of the station is made of 3,000 glass panes.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Southern Cross station.

Southern Cross Station

Southern Cross is a major railway station and transport hub in Australia. Southern Cross was revamped by the Civic Nexus consortium, with an innovative design by Grimshaw Architects, which features an undulating roof.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Southern Cross station.

It is located on Spencer Street between Collins and La Trobe Streets at the western edge of the central business district. It has many shops and food courts.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Southern Cross station.

The third busiest railway station in Melbourne, it also has a coach terminal under the shopping complex, from which operates the Skybus Super Shuttle service to Melbourne Airport.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Madrid Atocha.

7. Madrid Atocha (Spain)

This is the largest railway station in Madrid. Intercity and regional trains from the south, and the AVE high speed trains from Barcelona pass through this station.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Madrid Atocha.

Spanish architect Rafael Moneo created a beautiful garden in the station complex. It also has a nightclub.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Passengers board the first AVE train linking Madrid to Barcelona at Madrid's Atocha station.
Photographs: Paul Hanna/Reuters.

These train services are run by the Spanish national rail company, Renfe.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai.
Photographs: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters.

8. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (India)

One of the most attractive buildings in India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is located in Mumbai.

Built during the British era, it is a perfect blend of Victorian Gothic revival and traditional forms of Indian architecture.

Both suburban and long distance trains are operated from here.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Opened in 1887, it is also headquarters of the Central Railways. UNESCO has listed it among the World Heritage sites.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Designed by architect Frederick William Stevens, it took ten years to complete this landmark building. It was initially named Victoria Terminus in honour of Queen Victoria.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: View of Antwerp's new central railway station after its restoration.
Photographs: Francois Lenoir/Reuters.

9. Antwerp Central Station (Belgium)

The Antwerp Central Station is one of the world's most impressive railway stations. The 'railway cathedral' was built between 1895 and 1905.

The railway complex is spread across over 400 metres (1300 ft), has two entrances, a historic domed building at the Astrid square and a modern atrium at the Kievit square.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Antwerp Central Station.

A shopping centre and a diamond gallery with more than 30 diamond shops make it a shopper's paradise too.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Antwerp Central Station.

While the main building was designed by architect L. Delacenserie, the huge glass vault is the creation of architect J Van Asperen.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: Eurostar passengers queue outside the terminal for trains at St Pancras station in London.
Photographs: Luke MacGregor/Reuters.

10. St. Pancras Station (UK)

St Pancras International Railway Station is home to the Eurostar for services to Brussels and Paris.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: A restaurant at the station.

The station has Europe's longest champagne bar, shops, restaurants and cafes.

One of the greatest Victorian buildings in London, the station also offers a great shopping experience. It is also a perfect place for filming, photography and hosting events.

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The world's 10 most amazing railway stations

Image: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is hailed as London's most romantic building.

The glorious Gothic Revival metalwork, gold leaf ceilings, hand-stencilled wall designs and grand staircase are amazing.

It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott to receive travellers through St Pancras International station.

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