Toronto's Union Station named one of the most luxurious train hubs in the world

Long considered one of Toronto's architectural crown jewels, Union Station is earning fresh global recognition by landing among the top five most elite train stations in the world.

In a new ranking released by travel insurance provider AllClear, Union Station placed fifth overall on a list of the world's top 20 most luxurious and high-performing rail hubs.

More than 65 million passengers pass through Union Station every year, making it the beating heart of Toronto's transit network. The station connects commuters to the TTC subway system, GO Transit routes across Ontario, as well as VIA Rail services for cross-country travel. 

Originally opened in 1927 (and nearly demolished in the 1970s) the Beaux Arts-style landmark has undergone years of extensive renovations, restorations and modern upgrades. And the transformation isn't over yet: future plans could bring wider platforms and a brand-new south concourse to accommodate growing passenger demand.

To rank the world's best train stations, AllClear evaluated 40 train stations worldwide using criteria such as first-class lounge access, fine dining options, retail offerings, online reviews, and the number of nearby four- and five-star hotels.

Union Station was the only Canadian train station to crack the list, ranking behind world-class rail hubs in Switzerland and Japan.

One standout category was lounge access, where Union Station earned a perfect score of 15, similar to the victorious station Zürich Hauptbahnhof in Switzerland's largest city.

While its retail score came in at an embarrassing eight out of 20, Union Station performed exceptionally well for dining, earning a score of 19 out of 25 thanks in part to its revitalized food hall, home to popular spots like Shake Shack, Loaded Pierogi and Blondies Pizza.

Altogether, Union Station received a total score of 68 out of 100. 

Here's a look at the world's top 10 most premium train stations:

You can check out the full ranking on AllClear’s website.