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Inside the largest train station in the world – with 80 stores, ‘whispering tunnels’ and tennis court

Fans have said it's the 'most beautiful station they've ever been to'

TRAIN fans can head to one of the most well-known capital cities if they want to find the largest train station in the world.

Grand Central Terminal is the world's biggest train station, despite being more than 100 years old.

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The largest train station in the world is at a Brit-loved holiday hotspotCredit: Alamy
Grand Central Terminal in New York is the biggest in the worldCredit: Alamy
The station opened more than 100 years agoCredit: Getty
Now there are more than 80 shops and restaurantsCredit: Getty

Despite not being finished at the time, the station opened on February 2 in 1913.

By 1967, it became a national landmark with the most iconic section being the four-faced opal clock in the Main Concourse, often used for people to meet up.

You'll have spotted it in a number of films and TV shows over the years.

This includes John Wick, I am Legend, Men in Black and Friends with Benefits, as well as Armageddon, Godzilla and The Avengers.

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And most recently, it was used to film a Calvin Klein advert featuring K-Pop star Jungkook.

Make sure to look up too - the ceiling is 'upside down' with 2,500 stars and 12 constellations.

The backwards design means west is east and east is west, due to a mistake during it's construction.

Later on, the artist said it was intentional as it was how "God would see ti when looking from Heaven to Earth".

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There is also the bizarre Whispering Gallery in the station which is free to try.

Tourists can whisper through the corridor to a friend who will be able to hear thanks to the use of Guastivino tile.

Now, more than 67million passengers use the station a year, with trains arriving approximately every 58 seconds.

There are also more than 80 shops and restaurants - as well as an on-site tennis court you can rent.

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The Vanderbilt tennis court, found in the Annexe, has even been used by tennis legends such as John McEnroe and the Williams sisters.

Just make sure not to be there for the three hours its not open - the station is only closed between 2am and 5:15am.

And there are lots of events on, including happy hours on Thursdays from 4pm - 6pm.

World’s most beautiful train station just one hour from the UK is like ‘travelling back in time to golden age of rail’
Most locals meet at the central clockCredit: Alamy
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Don't forget to visit the underground marketCredit: Alamy

Previous tourists have raved about the train station, with it being one of the top ten things to do in New York City out of thousands of attractions.

One person wrote: "Grand Central Terminal is one of the most beautiful train stations that we've ever seen and we love being able to come here."

Another said: "This is a must to visit when you are in New York. Pictures do not do this beautiful place justice.

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"It is massive and has lots of hidden gems in it."

A third agreed: "Words fail me - the utter gorgeousness of Grand central is quite unlike any other rail station anywhere in the world."

A British tourists says it was like "no other" train station they had ever seen.

Fancy seeing it for yourself? Flights from the UK to New York take around 7-8 hours, with the cheapest direct flights costing as little as £212 return with Norse Airways.

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One of the most beautiful train stations in the world is just an hour from the UK.

Everything to know about visiting New York

  • Brits will need to have a valid passport to visit New York, but do not need any additional months.
  • An Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is required, which lasts three years.
  • New York uses dollars, with around $10 working out to £8.
  • Flights to New York take around eight hours, and is five hours behind.

Antwerp Central Railway Station in Belgium opened in 1905, with more than 20 different kinds of marble and stone across the four floors creating the columns and intricate masonry.

Otherwise in the UK there is a train station which has its own pub, and a train station in London hoping to open a rooftop pool.

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