Maintaining correct distance between train and guideway is not a concern (Lee, 2006). The drawbacks are that sufficient speed needs to be built up in order for the train to levitate at all. Additionally, this system is much more complex and costly to implement.

The primary disadvantage of a Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) train is the staggering initial infrastructure cost and its total lack of interoperability with existing rail networks. Because Maglevs require a specialized elevated guideway lined with powerful electromagnets, they cannot use any part of the world's hundreds of thousands of miles of standard steel tracks. This means an entire "from-scratch" system must be built for every route, often costing $50 million to $100 million per mile or more. In 2026, this high price tag makes them difficult to justify for most governments compared to standard High-Speed Rail (like the Shinkansen or TGV), which can often share tracks with slower regional trains to enter city centers. Other disadvantages include the high energy consumption required to maintain the magnetic field and the "noise" created by air displacement at 375 mph, even though the train itself is nearly silent. While they are the "future" of speed, the financial and logistical barriers remain the biggest "anchor" preventing Maglev from becoming a global standard for mass transit.