Next time you’re waiting for a train, you might just find yourself standing inside a work of art. Prix Versailles, one of the world’s most respected architecture and design awards, has revealed its list of the most beautiful train stations of 2025 - and the results are nothing short of stunning.
Among the winners is Sydney’s Gadigal Station, named in honour of the Aboriginal people who are the traditional custodians of the land. Described by Prix Versailles as ‘the epitome of absolute modernity,’ the station also doubles as a public art gallery, with each entrance showcasing a monumental ceramic artwork inspired by railway tunnels.
Over in China, Baiyun Station in Guangzhou is far more than a hub for the 24 high-speed train lines, six subway routes, and three bus terminals it serves. Prix Versailles calls it an ‘urban park’ that ‘unites the local community’. Its ethereal design includes a multi-storey circular walkway that weaves through lush gardens, seamlessly connecting platforms with nearby offices and public spaces.
In France, Pleyel Station in Saint-Denis, Paris – one of two French entries on the list – makes a striking impression. Natural light floods platforms located 28 metres below ground, and instead of the expected steel and concrete, its vast atrium is clad entirely in warm wood. More than 100 sculptures are also being installed along the full height of the atrium, blending transit and art in true Parisian style.
The world’s most beautiful train stations in 2025, according to Prix Versailles
- Gadigal Station in Sydney, Australia
- Mons Station in Mons, Belgium
- Baiyun Station in Guangzhou, China
- Pleyel Station in Saint-Denis, France
- Gustave Roussy Station in Villejuif, France
- KAFD Station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Qasr Al Hokm Station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Did you see that this European city is getting a brand-new neighbourhood with a massive €100 million train station?
Plus: A brand-new sleeper train linking three exciting European cities is launching next spring.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.