Flights might seem like the simplest mode of transport, but a ride on the fastest train in the world will challenge airplanes on travel time, not to mention efficiency. And while headlines may proclaim Japan’s L0 Maglev between Tokyo and Nagoya the fastest train ever, with a 313 mph average speed that cuts the time it takes to travel between the cities by half, it’s not scheduled to start service until 2027. So although there are faster ones in testing than those in this list of the fastest trains in the world, we’re only featuring high-speed rail currently in service, that you can actually ride right now.

Here are the world’s fastest high-speed trains in commercial service, ranked by speed.

1. Shanghai Maglev: 268 mph

The world’s fastest train isn’t the newest, the shiniest, or even the one with the most expensive tickets. Charging 50 yuan (about $8) per person, per ride (or double that for a “VIP” ticket in a slightly more spacious cabin), the Maglev runs the nearly 19 miles from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport to the Longyang metro station on the outskirts of Shanghai. That’s right, the train—which takes just over seven minutes to complete the journey—doesn’t go to the city center. As such, the bulk of the passengers since its 2004 debut have been travelers on their way to and from the airport, cameras out and ready to snap a photo of the speed indicators when the train hits 431 km/hr (268 mph).

2. Fuxing Hao CR400AF/BF: 249 mph

China wins again, also serving as home to the world’s fastest non-Maglev train currently in service. The name “Fuxing Hao” translates to “rejuvenation,” and each of the trains have been branded with nicknames: CR400AF is “Dolphin Blue,” and the CR400BF is “Golden Phoenix.” (The “CR” stands for China Railway.) Both take just under five hours to zip up to 556 passengers each between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao Station, easily halving the nearly 10-hour time it takes to ride the conventional, parallel rail line between these two megalopolises. The lines served by these trains have greatly expanded over the last several years, with newer routes including Jinan-Qingdao and Guangzhou-Zhuhai, and a 2018 debut of what remains the world’s longest high-speed rail route, from Beijing to Hong Kong in nine hours.

3. Shinkansen H5 and E5: 224 mph

A bullet train pioneer, Japan debuted the Hikari high-speed train launched service between Tokyo and Osaka way back in 1964 that, cutting travel time between the country’s two largest cities from nearly seven hours to a mere four by rail. The H5 and E5 series Shinkansen, respectively running the Tohoku and Hokkaido services, are two of the newer bullet trains on Japan’s tracks, and they’re expected to make their international debut on India’s first high-speed rail line, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, in 2026.

4. The Italo and Frecciarossa: 220 mph

Italy’s dueling train operators, NTV and Trenitalia, each flaunt a high-speed train that tie as Europe’s fastest, capable of shuttling passengers around much of the country far faster than by car. An international route from Milan to Paris, taking six hours, has proved to be so popular that Trenitalia has increased their daily frequencies. The Frecciarossa, or “red arrow,” was unveiled during Expo 2015, held in Milan, and the train is remarkable as much for its speed as for its construction; its components are nearly 100 percent renewable and sustainable.

5. Haramain Western Railway: 217 mph

The Mecca-Medina high-speed link stretches the 281 miles between Saudi Arabia’s most holy cities and was fully completed in 2018. Traveling the length of the route takes two and a half hours, compared to five hours by car. Speed isn’t the entire justification for the construction of this railway, however; the Haramain carries millions of passengers a year, including many Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, relieving traffic congestion. In 2019, Saudi Arabia announced plans to triple the size of its rail network by adding nearly 5,000 miles of new track, although not all will be high-speed.

6. DeutscheBahn ICE: 205 mph

The distinctively futuristic white and silver of the Inter-City Express, or ICE, combined with its sharp red cheatline, makes an impressive sight speeding through scenic German countryside. And, with Deutsche Bahn placing more and more orders for them, they’ll become quite a common sight by 2030, when some 450 ICE trains run on Europe’s rails. Similar to Spain’s Renfe AVE train, Germany’s fastest train is a Siemens design, the Velaro, and was built to fit through the Channel Tunnel. This fact is important as DeutscheBahn has long-term plans to operate these trains from Frankfurt to London.

7. Eurostar e320 and TGV: 200 mph

Both the TGV and Eurostar e320 trains are tied for next on the list, but the latter underwent a redesign in 2015. Named for its top speed of 320 km/hr (200 mph), the e320 series is the first tip-to-tail redesign of a Eurostar train in the company’s 22 years. The speedier trains—20 km/hr faster than the earlier, e300 series—are capable of trimming another 15 minutes off the already zippy Eurostar trips of around two hours between Brussels, Paris, and London, and cutting the comparatively lengthy ride from London to Amsterdam to under four hours.

8. Al Boraq: 198 mph

Named for a winged horse animal from Islamic lore, Al Boraq puts Africa on the list of fastest trains with an hourly, 116-mile service between Tangier and Kenitra, in Morocco. From Kenitra, it must slow down to travel on regular tracks into the Casablanca terminus, but the entire journey is still sliced in half, from almost five hours of travel time to just over two hours. Debuting in 2018, the train’s destinations are expanding as the rail infrastructure is upgraded for high-speeds, with Rabat next on the list.

9. Renfe AVE: 193 mph

Spain’s fastest train is the Velaro E by Siemens, and it is used for long-distance services to major Spanish cities and beyond: traveling from Barcelona to Paris can now be accomplished on high-speed rail in six hours.

10. Korail KTX: 190 mph

South Korea’s high-speed rail network may not be the newest (the KTX, or “Korean Train Express,” debuted in 2004) or the shiniest, but it does hold its rank among the fastest. In 2018 the train enabled athletes and spectators to reach the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics direct from Incheon International Airport, cutting the journey from six hours to under two. The newest route, on the Jungbunaeryuk Line connecting Bubal and Chungju, cuts through the center of the country to reach a region cherished for its mountains, caves, and natural springs.

As we approach year three of the pandemic, it’s safe to say we’ve learned to be more cautious and flexible with our plans. And with the omicron variant dominating headlines, travel rules and Covid concerns will likely continue changing month to month in 2022.

That said, vaccines and boosters are widespread, international borders are opening (even when some are also closing) and countries, airlines and hotels now have systems for safely welcoming visitors despite frequent pivots.

We’re adapting to living in a world with COVID-19, and the travel and tourism industry is mostly open to those who are ready.

2022 travel outlook

If you’ve been to the airport lately, you’ve noticed that people are on the move again. Even with the rise of the omicron variant, air travel is seeing an uptick every day, with travel numbers getting close to what they were before the pandemic.

Despite rising concern due to new variants, research shows that travelers are still feeling positive about the future. Destination Analytics—a research firm that is studying how the coronavirus impacts people’s perception of travel safety—recently reported Americans’ travel outlook for 2022 as “promising,” with 76 percent of American travelers in a ready-to-go state of mind. One-third of American travelers report they will take more leisure trips in the next year, and nearly 25 percent say they are planning to increase their international travel.

And it’s not only individuals who are feeling optimistic. Many airlines are finally removing aircraft from storage and relaunching the international routes we’ve all missed. With Australia finally opening after two years of border closure, Qantas has restarted many of its long-haul flights, including their most popular routes to Sydney from London (LHR) and Los Angeles (LAX).

How to take advantage of 2022 travel deals now

With more routes reopening and airlines scrambling to fill their planes, now could be the right time to book a flight, especially if you can get your hands on a coveted deal for international summer travel.

Domestic travel is lower risk

It’s unlikely that travel will be restricted between states, so it may make sense to snag domestic tickets when you find a reasonable price. If you’re planning to hit a popular destination like Florida, New York, Las Vegas, California, Hawaii, Texas or a national park, you’ll want to book early. The same goes if you’re booking with points; award availability will be competitive for flights and accommodation.

Research international travel requirements

While international travel in pandemic times is unpredictable, booking a 2022 trip outside of the U.S. is possible. Just do your research and make sure you’re protected.

While more and more countries are “open” to travelers, each has its list of rules and requirements, and they’re all subject to change. Most countries require some proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test before entry, and many require you to complete government-issued travel attestation forms.

It’s certainly easiest to travel internationally if you’re fully vaccinated. If you’re not vaccinated and are planning to travel anyway (despite the current CDC guidance to delay travel until fully vaccinated), you’ll need to do double due diligence on your transit and destination and be prepared for a lot of nasal swabs. Some countries will not allow any unvaccinated visitors to transit or enter, while others will require quarantine or a more rigorous testing requirement for those not fully vaccinated.

Prepare for the worst

Above all, you must be prepared to pivot your plans at a moment’s notice; you never know when an illness or shutdown may prevent you from taking flight. If you can afford to tack on travel insurance to a non-refundable flight, doing so can give you peace of mind; just be sure the insurance covers Covid-related cancellations.

Trust your gut

Traveling in 2022 is possible, but it isn’t the best choice for everyone. Always put your health and safety first and recognize your comfort with risk. If you’re not ready for international travel, domestic travel is great. And if you aren’t ready to get on a plane yet, it’s still good to take a road trip and stay close to home. Do what is best for you as we adapt to what the new year brings.

Booking trips you can cancel or reschedule

For 2022 travel, never forget that change is our new normal. Organize your trip like you’re going to have to cancel it at the last minute—or even change it midway through.

Read the fine print

Make sure that any flight or hotel room you book is flexible, changeable and refundable. If you’re booking with your credit card points, look up the rules of the credit card, hotel or airline program through which you’re booking to make sure you can get your points back and adjust your itinerary. And if you’re shelling out a lot of money for an organized tour, cruise or another prepaid adventure, do your homework and get yourself some travel insurance.

Book directly with airlines

If you can, book directly through the airlines or hotels where possible, rather than a third party (like Expedia or Kayak). It isn’t that third-party sites don’t have great deals—They just make it more complicated to get a refund or make a change cancellation.

Most airlines still have flexible change policies for domestic tickets and international tickets originating in the U.S.—unless you’re booking the basic or saver fare. Of course, the rules will likely keep changing, so make sure you check before you buy.

Review your travel credit card strategy

After a long travel hiatus, it makes sense to ensure that your travel credit card rewards strategy is optimized. An end-of-the-year rewards audit is a good way to refresh your memory of where you’ve stashed all those points you’ve earned.

Also, it may be time to upgrade those cards you’ve let lapse because you weren’t using the lounge or baggage benefits. I’m personally back to enough domestic travel that I’m ready to re-up The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. I downgraded the card in 2020, but I’m ready to access the American Express Centurion Lounge network once again.

You can also take advantage of an airline or hotel card sign-up bonus, many of which are worth enough points to get you at least one domestic return trip anywhere in the U.S. or a couple of free hotel nights for your first 2022 trip.

The bottom line

Covid is still with us and is likely here to stay. Yet, airplanes are still full, business travelers are back in the skies and there are offers to be had as travel and tourism returns. If we’ve learned anything, we all know that we can never know for certain what the new year holds. But it’s my greatest wish for all of us that 2022 is an amazing year of getting back to whatever kind of travel is best for each of us.

All around Europe in late November and early December Christmas markets will start to open. These provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the festive spirit, as well as drink delicious mulled wine, eat tasty food, and buy seasonal items. Here are top Christmas markets in Europe that you should visit to enjoy the festive spirit.

Note that if you plan to visit any of these markets, due to Coronavirus you should check official tourism and event websites to confirm the market will be open this year.

1. Vienna, Austria

Vienna has heaps of Christmas Markets all over the city. A couple of the biggest are at Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn, Belvedere and Resselpark. At these markets, you’ll find tasty Glühwein (Mulled wine), delicious sweets and beautiful gifts. Some of these markets, such as the one at Resselpark have rides and other activities which are perfect for the kids.

2. Munich, Germany

The main Christmas market in Munich can be found at Marienplatz, directly in front of the Neues Rathaus (Town Hall). You will also find stalls along Neuhauser Straße, Kaufingerstraße, as well as lots of other places around the city.

3. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Old Town Square is the location of their biggest market. It’s located between the Old Town Hall and Church of Our Lady before Týn. Here you’ll find stalls, an incredible tree and the perfect festive atmosphere. A nice touch at the market is a special music and light ceremony on the Christmas tree, which was often repeated throughout the night.

4. London, UK

London’s Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland, which is something like a giant modern theme park. Complete with rides, endless places to eat and shop, as well as bars and live music. Some of the special things they have on offer is ice skating, a giant Ferris wheel, a circus and the Ice Kingdom. You may need to pre-book tickets for those attractions.

Across London you can find other places to enjoy the festivities, such as along Southbank near the London Eye, at Somerset house where they have Ice skating, and at Leicester Square where you’ll find rides and other festivities. There are also lots of festive lights to enjoy in London such as along major streets including Oxford Street and Regent Street and other spots around the city.

5. Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg’s market can be found in the Old Town at Residenzplatz, Mozartplatz and Domplatz (various squares in the city). The decorations are beautiful and glow against the wonderful Austrian architecture and famous Salzburger Dom Cathedral.

6. Bratislava, Slovakia

At Hlavné Námestie at the centre of Bratislava’s Old Town is the main Christmas market. Here you can wander around the various stalls or gather at the tables and enjoy the tasty food on offer. For those wanting a view such as below, head up the Old Town Hall Tower. At Hviezdoslavovo námestie is another market where you’ll find an Ice Skating rink and more stalls offering food, gifts and a festive atmosphere.

7. Dresden, Germany

For a huge Christmas Market head to Dresden, where you’ll find this one located on Altmarkt, one of the cities oldest squares. Enjoy some traditional punch, German sausage or other tasty snacks before exploring the many market stalls. For the kids there is a Ferris wheel and carousel, and if you wanted to get some high views of the market climb up Kreuzkirche. Also close by is Frauenkirche, which is one of the cities most famous churches and where you’ll find lots more stalls, decorations and a joyful ambience.

8. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn in Estonia is magical at Christmas with cobbled streets, medieval architecture and beautiful stalls and decorations. When visiting around Christmas you may even get snow. Definitely a top city to visit for this Christmas.