The demand for international rail services is growing globally, driven by shifting travel patterns, environmental concerns, and advancements in international cooperation on high-speed railways. As cross-border journeys become more common, railway stations - historically designed to serve domestic routes - are now being called upon to accommodate international travel. This presents a significant challenge, as these stations must adapt to meet the increasing demand for seamless cross-border transport while addressing the complexities of international rail travel.

Unlike airports, which have long been purpose-built for global connectivity, there are often challenges associated with incorporating the required customs, immigration, and security processes to support international travel into existing railway stations. This frequently necessitates the refurbishment, expansion, or structural modification of existing railway stations, often prioritising operational adjustments over passenger experience due to spatial constraints. Nonetheless, these transformations underscore the essential role of rail as a cornerstone of sustainable, cross-border transportation systems. Widely recognised for its ability to reduce carbon emissions and minimise environmental impact, high-speed rail has emerged as a critical alternative to short-haul flights, advancing greener and more integrated global connectivity.

Globally, purpose-built international railway stations remain underdeveloped, offering significant opportunities for designers and industry experts to rethink their potential. Projects like the planned high-speed rail link between the Baltic states and the rest of Europe, Singapore and Malaysia, the completed China-Laos railway connecting Kunming to Vientiane, and the cross-border rail service between Bangkok and Phnom Penh highlight the growing interest in developing international rail connections. These initiatives underscore the urgent need to address inter-connectivity challenges and establish a cohesive global rail network. Yet, significant efforts are still required to design and implement a system of international rail hubs that can match the efficiency, functionality, and passenger experience of airports.

Addressing these challenges requires a new typology for international High-Speed Rail (iHSR) station design, one that draws upon lessons from the aviation industry. Insights from decades of airport design - such as efficiency, level of service, facilities planning, and spatial design - can inform strategies for handling the complexities of cross-border rail travel. The requirements for border and customs controls, as well as passenger and luggage security screening, mean that the iHSR station experience will increasingly resemble that of an international airport.

With long-standing expertise in designing major airports, such as Istanbul Airport, which serves over 76 million passengers annually, as well as a diverse portfolio of railway and metro stations worldwide, we can demonstrate how such stations would operate. By using industry-recognised projection formulas, we can determine the level of service and spatial provisions required for check-in, border controls, and security screening. These methodologies ensure international railway stations can handle passenger flows with the same efficiency and security standards as airports, transforming the passenger experience by facilitating smoother, more accessible, and secure international rail travel.

This paper envisions a future where international railway stations are not only integral to sustainable transportation systems but also serve as key enablers of global connectivity. By re-evaluating current design principles, optimising passenger flows, and incorporating innovative design strategies, these stations can rise to the challenge of facilitating international rail travel while promoting environmentally responsible and passenger-centric solutions.

Explore the full paper and discover how to design international high-speed rail stations that enhance connectivity, streamline cross-border travel, and deliver a world-class passenger experience.