Typically travel entails rushing. Running to catch a bus or train, while focusing on directional signs aimed at transporting us to our next destination. In this hurried process, we tend to miss our surroundings.
Now that we’ve slowed down and are actually able to take a moment to breathe, we have the opportunity to truly take these sights in. While we may not be there in person, Trainline scoured Instagram for us and put together a photo compilation of the world’s most visually stunning stations containing incredible architecture, designs and art.
So, whether you’re looking to explore a new city or hoping for a chance to check out a place you zipped through and failed to notice, now is the time to explore the fascinating world of transport design. Here are 10 of the most instagrammed transportation hubs.
Both commuters and tourists alike traveling through New York’s Grand Central station can find the famous four faced opal clock, a 25,000 sq ft mural and vaulted ceilings. Other famous sights include the station’s gustavo tiles, and statues from Greek myth.
As with many of Moscow’s metro stations, Prospekt Mira is specifically designed with a classical interior in-mind. The station includes many staples of Russian Imperial architecture including chandeliers, floral ceramic bas-relief friezes and chequered flooring.
Arts et Metiers station was actually designed by a French comic book artist, who wanted it to ressemble the interior of a submarine. As a result the décor is mostly comprised of copper-looking plating, with the occasional porthole.
Kanazawa station is an impressive sight from the inside and outside. Visitors will notice the glass roof, which is comprised of 3,019 pieces of glass, as well as the stations gates, some of which are said to be designed after Buddist shrines.
Known internationally as “The Dome of Light”, Taiwan’s Formosa Boulevard Station contains 4,500 pieces of vibrantly colored glass is thought to be the largest glass structure in the world. The piece covers an area of 2,180 square meters and according to it’s architect Narcissus Quagliata, is meant to promote “love and tolerance”.
Melbourne’s Webb bridge has been nominated for and won a number of architecture and design awards. Made from pigmented concrete and interlacing steel hoops, the structure is designed to represent a ‘knot’ between the north and south of Melbourne’s dockland area.
Portugal’s Sao Bento station (Porto) is famed for its wall of traditional azulejo tiles. The project took 11 years to complete and required more than 20,000 of the tiles, which are unique to Portugal. The station’s artwork depicts the history of transportation in the country.
Tourists traveling through Madrid’s Atocha station can revel in its unique indoor garden. The garden houses over 7,000 plants from more than 260 species. Until 2018, it also housed a turtle pond, but the animals have since been relocated.
Toledo Metro Station in Naples, Italy boasts an iconic escalator hall inspired by both water and light. The piece, created through the use of blue and white mosaics, was created to help challenge the traditional boundary between architect and artist.
LA ‘s Union Station contains an original 110 foot long ticket desk fashioned from American Black Walnut wood. Other features include 40 foot windows framed in brass, original art deco chandeliers and a marble floor finished off with hand-painted mission tiles.
Elise Edwards
Writer/Producer
Elise began her career as a Writer/Anchor/Reporter at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, GA. She also served as Supervising Producer at E! Networks and most recently, has been busy freelance producing and writing for numerous magazines and blogs.
