How fast do trains go in km per hour?

High-speed trains can generally reach 300–350 km/h (190–220 mph). On mixed-use HSR lines, passenger train service can attain peak speeds of 200–250 km/h (120–160 mph).



In 2026, train speeds vary significantly by technology and region. Standard regional and commuter trains typically operate between 80 and 160 km/h. However, the high-speed rail (HSR) sector has pushed boundaries. Most modern high-speed trains (like the French TGV, Spanish AVE, and German ICE) operate at commercial speeds of 300 to 320 km/h. China leads the world in 2026, with its Fuxing series trains reaching commercial speeds of 350 km/h and even hitting 400–450 km/h in specific test corridors. The fastest trains in the world are Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) systems; the Shanghai Maglev routinely reaches 431 km/h. Meanwhile, Japan's L0 Series Maglev, currently in the late stages of testing in 2026, has set world records at 603 km/h, though it is not yet in full commercial passenger service. For most travelers, a "fast" train in 2026 is one that consistently maintains a speed above 250 km/h, significantly outperforming car travel over medium distances.

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Read on for the fastest trains in the world.
  • CRH380A Hexie: 302 mph. ...
  • Shanghai Maglev: 267 mph. ...
  • Hemu -430 X: 262 mph. ...
  • Fuxing Hao CR400AF/BF: 249 mph. Image Source: ...
  • The Frecciarossa: 245 mph. Image Source: ...
  • Shinkansen H5 and E5: 224 mph. Image Source: ...
  • Deutsche Bahn ICE: 205 mph. Image Source: ...
  • Korail KTX: 205 mph. Image Source:


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Ranking of the five fastest commercial trains in the world in 2023
  • Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Train, China: 267.8 mph (431 km/h) ...
  • CR400 Fuxing train, China: 217.4 mph (350 km/h) ...
  • ICE 3, Germany: 205 mph (330 km/h) ...
  • TGV, France: 198.8 mph (320 km/h) ...
  • Shinkansen, Japan: 198.8 mph (320 km/h)


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hsr delivers the safest transport High Speed Rail is the world's safest form of transportation proven by decades of operations all around the world. Japan was the first nation to build high speed rail in 1964, and has since transported 10 billion passengers without a single injury or fatality!

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As of August 2022, the fastest train on Earth, based on its record speed, is the Japanese L0 Series Maglev with a record speed of 603 kilometers per hour.

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