How Fast Do Trains Go?
From local metro at 20 km/h to maglev at 431 km/h — a complete data-driven guide to train speeds worldwide.
Quick Answer
Most trains travel between 40 km/h and 320 km/h depending on type. Local metro trains run at 40–100 km/h. Regional trains reach 120–200 km/h. High-speed trains cruise at 250–320 km/h. The Shanghai Maglev — fastest in commercial service — reaches 431 km/h.
- Local / Metro: 40–100 km/h (25–62 mph)
- Intercity / Regional: 120–200 km/h (75–124 mph)
- High-Speed Rail: 250–320 km/h (155–199 mph)
- Maglev (service): up to 431 km/h (268 mph)
Fastest in service
Shanghai Maglev
World speed record
SCMaglev L0 test, 2015
Fastest high-speed rail
TGV / Shinkansen
World average intercity
Approx. typical service
Train Speed Ranges by Category
Train speeds vary enormously. The key factors are track design, train technology, stop frequency, and operating regulations. A metro train on shared urban track cannot approach the speeds of a dedicated high-speed rail corridor.
City trams, light metro, heritage rail
London Underground, NYC Subway, Paris Métro
NJ Transit, Southern Rail, RER Paris
InterRegio, Regional Express, Amtrak Regional
ICE, Intercity, Eurostar, Virgin Trains
TGV, Shinkansen, AVE, CRRC Fuxing
Shanghai Maglev, SCMaglev (test)
City trams, light metro, heritage rail
London Underground, NYC Subway, Paris Métro
NJ Transit, Southern Rail, RER Paris
InterRegio, Regional Express, Amtrak Regional
ICE, Intercity, Eurostar, Virgin Trains
TGV, Shinkansen, AVE, CRRC Fuxing
Shanghai Maglev, SCMaglev (test)
What Determines How Fast a Train Goes?
Track Infrastructure
Dedicated high-speed tracks allow 300+ km/h because they have gentler curves, higher-quality rail, and no road crossings. Shared or older tracks limit speed to 100–160 km/h for safety.
Train Design & Power
High-speed trains use aerodynamic streamlining, tilting mechanisms (to navigate curves faster), and powerful traction motors. Conventional diesel trains are limited by engine power.
Signalling Systems
Advanced signalling (like ETCS/ERTMS in Europe or ATC in Japan) allows trains to run closer together and brake precisely — enabling higher safe speeds. Older signalling caps speeds.
Safety Regulations
Every rail network has speed limits set by safety authorities. These depend on track condition, infrastructure type, and level crossings. Even capable trains are speed-governed for safety.
Fastest Trains in the World
Train Speed Records & Top Speeds
| Train / Service | Type | Top Speed | mph | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCMaglev L0 (Japan) | Maglev (test) | 603 km/h | 375 mph | World Record |
| TGV POS (France) | Conventional (test) | 574 km/h | 357 mph | Rail Record |
| Shanghai Maglev | Maglev (service) | 431 km/h | 268 mph | In Service |
| CRRC CR400AF (China) | High-Speed Rail | 350 km/h | 217 mph | In Service |
| TGV / Euroduplex | High-Speed Rail | 320 km/h | 199 mph | In Service |
| Shinkansen N700S | High-Speed Rail | 320 km/h | 199 mph | In Service |
| Amtrak Acela (USA) | High-Speed Rail | 240 km/h | 149 mph | In Service |
| Indian Vande Bharat | Express | 160 km/h | 99 mph | In Service |
Average Train Speed by Country
Extensive HSR network, CRRC Fuxing trains
Shinkansen bullet train system since 1964
TGV network, world rail speed record holder
ICE trains on dedicated high-speed routes
AVE network, one of Europe's largest HSR
Amtrak Acela, limited to 240 km/h top speed
How Is Train Speed Measured?
GPS (on mobile devices)
Modern smartphones receive satellite signals from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. By measuring Doppler frequency shift or position changes, they calculate speed accurate to ±2–5 km/h at train speeds.
Tachometers (on trains)
Railway tachometers use axle revolution sensors to calculate speed. The number of wheel revolutions per second, multiplied by wheel circumference, gives speed. Modern trains also use GPS for verification.
Radar & Doppler Systems
Some advanced railway signalling systems use trackside Doppler radar to measure train speed precisely. These are used in high-speed rail to ensure accurate stopping distances.
Try It Yourself
Want to measure your train's actual speed? TrainSpeedTest.net uses your phone's GPS to give you a real-time km/h reading — no app needed, works in any modern browser.
Frequently Asked Questions: Train Speed
Related Train Speed Resources
How Fast Is a Bullet Train?
Speeds, routes, and records for the world's fastest passenger trains.
Passenger RailHow Fast Is a Passenger Train?
Average speeds for commuter, regional, and intercity trains worldwide.
RecordsFastest Train Speed Records
World speed records for conventional rail, maglev, and commercial service.
TechnologyHow Is Train Speed Measured?
GPS, Doppler, tachometers — how railways and apps measure speed.
ToolTrain Speed Test
Measure your actual train speed in real time using GPS.
CalculatorSpeed Converter
Convert km/h to mph, m/s, and knots instantly.
See How Fast Your Train Is Going
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