The invention of train stations was one of the most important achievements of humans as it helped drive a great deal of development and made life a lot easier. After the first train station was built in Wales in 1807, it didn't take long for train stations to start springing up from every corner of the earth.
As trains became the major sources of transportation in many parts of the world, newer stations sprang up and older ones were either left abandoned or replaced. With the invention of buses and other more efficient methods of transportation, the list of abandoned train stations increased, and now almost every country in the world has one of them. This list includes some of the most interesting abandoned train stations in the world, and although they may have been left to the mercy of decay, they still represent an important period in human history.
Many of these abandoned stations are not open to the public and entry into them is not permitted (some may be accessible on guided tours only). Please do not actually go into these stations, as this could be trespassing on private property. Also, assume that these stations are not structurally safe to enter; many have been disused and left abandoned for years and may be unsafe. Instead, view from a distance where people are allowed to stand and take photos, but please do not enter or trespass.
Also known as the ghost station, the Gaudi Station is one of the best abandoned train stations in the world and indeed among the most fascinating because it was one that never saw operation. It was built in the 1960s with necessary train station facilities but due to changes in plan, it was no longer needed, so it was kept close.
The station remains in good condition today, and it is often visited by thrill seekers who are fascinated by one Urban legend that claims passengers have been seen waiting at the station, even though no train has ever stopped there.
France has its fair share of eerie abandoned train stations and Haxo Station in Paris is one of the most spectacular. Located in Paris, this abandoned station was abandoned in the early 1900s after its operators considered its operation unprofitable.
Over the years, it became overwhelmed by graffiti, and filmmakers also occasionally use the train for shooting.
When in the French capital, be sure to see some of the interesting things found at the Louvre and also check out the many underrated places in Paris.
Aldwych Station opened to the public in 1907 and served for several decades until it was closed six years before the end of the 20th century. Throughout its operation, the underground train station saw a lot of happenings from filmmaking to being the site of a homemade bomb explosion, and also as a shelter for a lot of people during the WWII era.
Today the station remains abandoned, but it is worth visiting for its rich history and its impressive archway.
The 16th Street Station in Oaklank, California, is just one of the numerous abandoned train stations in the US that have been left to the mercy of decays. During its operating days, hundreds of thousands of people boarded trains that traveled the Southern Pacific Railroad. Despite being so important to the city, the invention of buses saw its gradual decline.
After barely surviving the transition to buses and a devastating earthquake, the train station eventually went out of use. Today, the impressive structure of is one of the spookiest abandoned train stations in the US and it still stands. Sometimes, it is even used as a space for private events.
Located in the heart of a desert near Luderitz, Namibia, is the Garub railway station, which was first built in 1906 and is now among the creepiest abandoned train stations in the world. It served as a stop for the railway line that connected Luderitz and Aus. After several years of service to those crossing the inhospitable Namibian desert, this station became disused like many other abanoned train stations around the world.
Today the small building just sits in the desert looking so isolated from the rest of the African country and helpless under the fury of the desert sun. In recent years, Graffiti artists have even begun making their way to the train station and covering it in all sorts of arts and the locals are not so happy about this so be mindful when visiting.
When visiting Namibia (and there are many reasons to do so), tourists should be sure to check out Sossusvlei National Park, which is one of the most amazing national parks in the world.
The invention of other modes of transportation led to the abandonment of many disused train stations around the world like the Izamal train station in Mexico. This train station was built in the late 1800s when train transport was still a major mode of transportation.
As buses gradually replaced the trains, this train station became abandoned, and it now just stands as a reminder of the era of train transport in Mexican history.
Related: See The Unique Colonial Walled Mexican City Of Campeche (The Only Walled City In Mexico)
Anhalter Bahnhof Station was once the most important railway station in Berlin and one of the grandest in the world. At the height of its operation, it transported more than 40,000 people every day. During WWII, however, this grand train station was bombed and that led to the train station's abandonment.
In 1960, the train station was demolished by authorities but a part of it was left to stand as a reminder of the train's role in the history of Berlin. Now, it's among the most beautiful abandoned train stations in the world.
The Cranfanc International Railway Station was one of the most elegantly built train stations in European history. At the time of its creation, it was one of the largest railway stations in Europe and it served for decades until its closure in 1970. It may be abandoned today but due to the impressive architecture and its historical relevance, this station might be brought back to life soon.
There are even talks of ongoing works to convert the station into a luxury hotel and that might just be the perfect use for this abandoned railway station.
Camfranc Station is just one of the many beautifully eerie abandoned train stations in the world that were so elegantly consutrcuted. There are many more architecturally beautiful train stations in Europe to see.
The story of the Kyu-Shirataki station in Japan's Engaru town is touching. The train station first opened in 1947 and served for several decades until low passengers made it announce its closure. In a show of absolute loyalty to its last passenger who was a teenage high school girl, the train station remained open. According to several sources, it continued transporting the girl to school for three years after first announcing its closure and even took her to her graduation ceremony before it finally shut down.
Today, the train station, like many remote settlements in Japan have been abandoned and is now at the mercy of decay. On a similar note, many places in Japan have been vanishing lately and that's something serious to worry about.
Related: These 14 Charming Small Towns Are A Must-Visit In Japan
Radegast Train Station is a reminder of one of the most turbulent and abhorrent times in modern history. This train station has more stories to tell than many museums around the world combined. Originally built in 1926, this train station served as one of the places in Poland where Jews were held and then loaded onto trains to extermination camps.
Sadly, the train station was frequently used during the Holocaust and is even believed to have been used to transport approximately 200,000 Jewish and Romani people to their deaths. Currently, the railway station has been renovated, and it now serves as a museum and a monument commemorating the Jewish people who passed through this station to their end.