Travel writer Adrian Bridge recently took on the impossible task of nominating the 20 greatest railway stations in the world. His pick included European grand dames such as St Pancras and Antwerp Central, as well as modern masterpieces like Riyadh’s “extraordinary” Qasr Al-Hokm Station.
While his choices were largely praised by the more than 500 readers who left a comment beneath the article, many of you were keen to nominate your own favourites. They included the following:
1. Milan Central, Italy
“When the station hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore,” said Michael Wood, 83, about Milano Centrale, which he visited for the first time more than 50 years ago.
He added: “I recall catching a train from Milan to Bozen (Bolzano) many years ago. Milano Centrale was extraordinary and, like Grand Central in New York, it took my breath away.
“Lists such as these are plainly subjective but with a mixture of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and fascism, I thought it deserved a place.”
With its classical frescoes, grand architecture and fantastic dining options, Milano Centrale was suggested for inclusion by other readers too.
Maurice Parets, 52, said of the station: “I love architecture and it’s an incredibly impressive monument. It’s truly amazing.”
He also spoke about how much the station offers beyond getting from A to B: “There’s a fantastic food court, where lots of well-known chefs have a place to eat or drink – it’s really high quality.”
2. Union Station, Washington DC
Union Station in Los Angeles made Adrian Bridge’s list, but readers felt its namesake in Washington DC deserved a mention.
John Turner, 50, said: “The architecture is amazing, with the marble floors and grand ceiling. There are also 46 Roman soldiers to represent the 46 states when the station was built in the 1910s.
“Now that it’s nearly Christmas they often do it up amazingly with lots of wreaths and decorations.”
The station faces Capitol Hill and directly opposite the entrance are a monument to Christopher Columbus and a bronze model of the Liberty Bell.
3. Venice Santa Lucia, Italy
Venice’s Santa Lucia station was nominated not so much for its architecture but its overall experience.
Diana Harris, 61, recalled her first visit to it: “When I was inter-railing way back in 1986, we had been to all of Europe and our last stop was Venice. We arrived at the station, which itself isn’t fantastic, but that view coming out – it makes you think ‘I have arrived’. I thought it was just amazing.”
4. Valencia North, Spain
With its modernist design, including gothic influences, and impressive mosaics, this station in eastern Spain caught the eye of numerous readers.
One of them was 70-year-old John Watson. He said: “The art displayed as beautiful portraits and pictures was made up of tiles like a mosaic. I would recommend taking your time to absorb the station... miss your train.”
5. Cologne Central, Germany
Cologne Central station has the city’s iconic cathedral as its next-door-neighbour and was the pick of the bunch for Robert Hope, 71.
“I’m retired now and chose to take a trip to Vienna, but didn’t want to take any flights, so I went the entire way by train. On the way back, I changed at Cologne station, which was quite pleasant,” he said. “It’s above ground, with a huge dome, making it light and airy, so there’s plenty of air going through to get rid of the diesel fumes.
“It’s nothing like Sunderland station, where I’m from, which is just awful.”
6. Leipzig Central, Germany
An enormous station with more than 20 platforms, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof shows that a transport hub does not have to sacrifice its looks for utility.
“I was so struck by the station that it was hard to leave – I ended up staying there a while longer to explore,” said Gershom Sleightholme, 60. “The waiting room is like a ballroom with a very high ceiling and beautiful chandeliers. The city has a lot to offer visitors and the railway station is a good start.”
7. New Delhi, India
“A station can be more than just about architecture – it can be an embodiment of a city.”
This was what Julie Howard had to say about New Delhi railway station, which may not be the most glamorous offering on this list, but encapsulates the bustle that characterises the city.
“It was manic, it was colourful, it was hot and there were so many people – it just summed up the country,” she said. “Once we left the station, we were on a very old train, sitting in one of those long compartments. We were sat next to an army officer and a Bollywood composer – an absolute taste of India.”
Best of the rest
Another Indian station was recommended by Jay Sinha: “Lucknow Railway Station, built by the British, deserved inclusion over a few here. It’s imposing and beautiful, like a Mughal palace.”
For Philip Tuckwood, it had to be Pisa railway station: “Pure Art Deco. It’s like arriving in an Agatha Christie novel.”
Mark Janes said: “I’d like to nominate Marrakech: a beautiful, light-filled space, easy to navigate and sumptuously decorated in wood and gold.”
Michael Baker suggested Johannesburg’s Park Station; C Huyton the “ultra-modern” Torino Porta Susa; and Peter Vine “the simply stunning and breathtaking Kyoto station”.