A TikTok user has shared her experience riding the world's fastest commercial train during a layover in Shanghai. Silvana, who has over 1,400 followers, boarded the maglev train while waiting for a connecting flight and was amazed by its speed and efficiency.
The Shanghai Maglev, which uses magnetic levitation technology to hover above the tracks, can reach a top speed of 267mph (430km/h). However, its current commercial operating speed is 186mph (300km/h). The 30km line connects Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road station in the city centre, a journey that takes under eight minutes.
Silvana paid 80 yuan (around €10.50) for a return ticket and then spent an additional 4 yuan (€0.50) on the metro to reach central Shanghai. She described the experience in a TikTok video, calling it the fastest way to get from the airport during her ten-hour layover.
The train, which opened in 2006 using German Transrapid technology, has drawn mixed reactions from travellers. One Reddit user noted that while the ride is 'incredibly smooth' and comparable to flying without turbulence, they felt it was not a significant improvement over conventional high-speed rail. Another commented that the train feels 'super smooth' with a slight tilt on curves, similar to standard high-speed services.
Despite its speed, the maglev line carries fewer passengers than the metro routes to the airport, leading some to describe it as a 'glorified gadget bahn'. Nonetheless, Silvana's video has garnered dozens of likes and comments from impressed followers.
