Top 10 Largest Railway Networks in the World | Global Rail Systems (2025)

Railway networks are the backbone of global transportation, facilitating cargo movement and daily passenger travel across vast distances. From high-speed bullet trains to extensive freight operations, these networks shape economies and connect millions of people. Below is a ranking of the top 10 largest railway networks in the world, based on track length, number of trains, and operational efficiency.

10. South Africa—20,986 km

• Number of Engines: 4,500+
• Number of Trains: 10,000+
• Number of Cabins: 50,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 1,000+
• Top Speed: 160 km/h
• Average Passengers Daily: 1.5 million
• Details: South Africa has Africa’s most developed railway network, with extensive freight transport, including the world’s heaviest-haul train system for coal and iron ore exports. The Blue Train and Rovos Rail offer luxury rail journeys for tourists.

9. Brazil—30,576 km

• Number of Engines: 5,000+
• Number of Trains: 15,000+
• Number of Cabins: 60,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 1,200+
• Top Speed: 140 km/h
• Average Passengers Daily: 4 million
• Details: Brazil’s railway system is essential for freight, particularly for transporting iron ore and agricultural products. Passenger services are limited but growing in major cities with metro and suburban train expansions.

8. Argentina—36,917 km

• Number of Engines: 5,500+
• Number of Trains: 20,000+
• Number of Cabins: 80,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 1,700+
• Top Speed: 120 km/h
• Average Passengers Daily: 2.5 million
• Details: Once one of the world’s most extensive networks, Argentina’s railways have declined in the past decades but are still significant for both cargo and passenger transport. Government initiatives aim to revitalize and expand the system.

7. Australia—36,064 km

• Number of Engines: 6,000+
• Number of Trains: 30,000+
• Number of Cabins: 120,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 1,500+
• Top Speed: 160 km/h
• Average Passengers Daily: 3 million
• Details: Australia’s railway network supports both passenger and freight movement. The Indian Pacific and The Ghan are iconic long-distance passenger trains. Freight trains transport coal, minerals, and agricultural goods across the continent.

6. Germany—41,315 km

• Number of Engines: 7,500+
• Number of Trains: 40,000+
• Number of Cabins: 150,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 5,400+
• Top Speed: 330 km/h (ICE Trains)
• Average Passengers Daily: 10 million
• Details: Germany boasts an advanced railway system, home to Deutsche Bahn and high-speed ICE trains. Its efficient rail network connects major cities and extends to neighboring European countries, making it a key part of European transportation.

5. Canada—49,422 km

• Number of Engines: 9,000+
• Number of Trains: 50,000+
• Number of Cabins: 200,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 1,400+
• Top Speed: 160 km/h (VIA Rail)
• Average Passengers Daily: 5 million
• Details: Canada’s rail network is primarily freight-oriented, operated by companies like Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). VIA Rail provides passenger services, but long distances between cities make air travel more dominant.

4. India—68,043 km

• Number of Engines: 11,000+
• Number of Trains: 70,000+
• Number of Cabins: 300,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 7,349
• Top Speed: 160 km/h (Vande Bharat Express)
• Average Passengers Daily: 25 million
• Details: Indian Railways is one of the busiest networks, carrying millions of passengers daily. With an expansive system covering almost all regions of the country, it includes high-speed rail projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train under development.

3. Russia—85,600 km

• Number of Engines: 17,000+
• Number of Trains: 600,000+
• Number of Cabins: 1,500,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 4,500+
• Top Speed: 250 km/h (Sapsan)
• Average Passengers Daily: 12 million
• Details: Russia’s railway system is vital for domestic and international transportation, particularly the Trans-Siberian Railway, which spans 9,289 km from Moscow to Vladivostok. Russian Railways plays a key role in moving raw materials like coal and oil across vast distances.

2. China—150,000 km

• Number of Engines: 20,000+
• Number of Trains: 800,000+
• Number of Cabins: 2,000,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 5,500+
• Top Speed: 350 km/h (Shanghai Maglev)
• Average Passengers Daily: 50 million
• Details: China’s rail system is the fastest-growing, with extensive high-speed rail (HSR) lines. The country’s bullet train network, including the famous Beijing-Shanghai HSR, is the largest globally. China continues expanding its rail infrastructure to enhance passenger and cargo transport efficiency.

1. United States—257,722 km

• Number of Engines: 25,000+
• Number of Trains: 500,000+
• Number of Cabins: 1,000,000+
• Number of Railway Stations: 7,000+
• Top Speed: 240 km/h (Amtrak Acela Express)
• Average Passengers Daily: 30 million
• Details: The U.S. railway network is the largest in the world, dominated by freight railways. Amtrak provides passenger services, but freight trains, operated by major companies like Union Pacific and BNSF, account for most rail activity. The extensive network spans coast to coast, connecting industries and ports, making rail transport a backbone of the U.S. economy.

Conclusion

These vast railway networks are crucial for economic growth, trade, and transportation efficiency. As rail technologies advance, high-speed and sustainable railway development continues to shape the future of global transportation.