While the vast majority of nations across the globe rely on rail for commerce and travel, several large countries – many roughly the size of European nations or even larger – have no active railway systems. The US has the largest railway network in the world, spanning an impressive 137,000 miles. As of 2026, the total length of the world’s operational railway network is estimated to be approximately 850,000 to 900,000 miles.
Meanwhile, the oldest terminal station in the world can be found right here in the UK. Crown Street railway station in Liverpool, on the locomotive-hauled Liverpool to Manchester line, was built in 1830. Since then, over 2,500 train stations have been built across the UK, not including those in the Underground or heritage railways. Further afield, there are more than 36,000 train stations in and adjacent to Europe.
Revealed below are the nine largest countries in the world that currently do not have a single operational train line.
