The world’s 7 most beautiful train stations named – 1 is a European ‘masterpiece’ | World | News
Not every train station has much to look at; The focus is on efficiency rather than beauty. Anyone who has struggled with the boring crowds in London Euston knows it’s more about substance than charm.
But elsewhere in the world, some stations are so stunning that they’re worth visiting even if you don’t take the train. Some are so impressive, in fact, that they have been awarded a prestigious prize by the Prix Versailles, a series of architectural competitions that include airports, hotels and other buildings. Now it has published the 2025 issue of the “List of the World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Stations”. From grand old halls to modern glass structures, these are some of the most beautiful train stations in the world; Many of these can be found in Europe and are just a short journey away from the UK.
Two impressive places on the list are claimed by France, and both are located just a few hours away from England. Saint-Denis Pleyel is located in Saint-Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris. Built within the scope of the Grand Paris Express project, the station was opened as the terminal of Line 14 on June 24, 2024. In the future, the station will also serve the 15th orbital line and will be the terminal of the 16th and 17th lines.
Built over nine floors, the station expects to accommodate a quarter of a million passengers a day; this is comparable to Châtelet-Les Halles, the largest metro station in the world. The station was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who was selected as a result of an international architectural competition.
Also in France is the impressive Villejuif-Gustave Roussy station, located 40 minutes south of Paris, which opened its doors on January 18, 2025. This is a metro station serving lines 14 and 15 of the Paris Metro (the latter of which is expected to be fully opened late next year) and, like Saint-Denis Pleyel, also forms part of the Greater Paris Express Project.
The station was designed by architectural firm Dominique Perrault Architecture. It is a cylindrical underground station with an open-air, multi-layered roof, built in the “upside down skyscraper” style. It is also one of the deepest passenger stations in France.
In fact, a recent visitor to Gustave Roussy described it as a “masterpiece.” “Public money well spent,” they said, adding: “This is absolutely stunning! A big win for Paris public transport and urban planning!”
Across the Belgian border is Mons train station, which has a suspended canopy that references the Galerie de la Reine shopping arcade in Brussels. The station first opened in 1841 but has undergone an impressive transformation this year. “A streamlined style made of steel and dazzling white to create a cathedral-like walkway,” said the judging panel.
Other stations to receive the award include Gadigal Station in Sydney, Australia. This name honors the Aboriginal people who were the original custodians of the land in the region. The interior of the station is decorated with bright tiles in colors such as yellow, purple, red and blue. Baiyun Station in Guangzhou, China, also won the award for its recent transformation, which added shops and even a city park. It is dedicated to an incredible 24 high-speed train lines, six metro lines and three bus terminals.
Like France, Saudi Arabia also claimed two stations on the list, both located in the central city of Riyadh. One of them is KAFD Station, which covers an area of approximately 88,000 square meters. Conceived by UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects, the design was inspired by mashrabiya screens and the patterns created by desert winds on the dunes. It opened to the public in December 2024.
Last on the list is Qasr Al Hokm Station, also in Riyadh, which is described as resembling a “periscope” due to its glass roof reflecting light throughout the station. It even houses an indoor garden, which was designed in 2012 and covers an incredible 211,000 square feet.
