Train speed test
How fast is your train going right now? Sit by a window, tap start and watch the live speed of your train in km/h or mph — from a commuter line to a 300 km/h high-speed train.
Tap start and allow location access. Your location never leaves your device.
- Max
- 0 mph
- Avg
- 0 mph
- Distance
- 0.00 mi
- Trip time
- 0:00
- Live speed, top speed and distance of your journey
- Gauge goes up to high-speed-rail speeds
- Works without mobile data once the page is open
- Free, works in your browser, location stays on your phone
How to check your train speed
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Get a window seat
GPS works through ordinary glass, but not through the roof and walls of the carriage. The closer the phone is to a window, the better.
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Start the speedometer
Tap “Start speedometer” and allow location access. Wait until the accuracy badge turns green — usually a few seconds in the open.
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Watch the speed
The number updates about once per second. “Max” keeps the top speed of the journey, so you can see how fast the train went at its fastest.
How fast do trains go?
These are typical top speeds in regular passenger service — what you can expect to see on the speedometer on the fastest sections. Average speeds over a whole journey are lower because of stops, curves and slower track.
| Train | Where | Top speed |
|---|---|---|
| Fuxing CR400 | China, e.g. Beijing–Shanghai | 350 km/h · 217 mph |
| Shinkansen E5/H5 | Japan, Tohoku line | 320 km/h · 199 mph |
| TGV | France, fastest high-speed lines | 320 km/h · 199 mph |
| ICE 3 | Germany, Cologne–Frankfurt | 300 km/h · 186 mph |
| Eurostar | London–Paris / Brussels | 300 km/h · 186 mph |
| Frecciarossa | Italy | 300 km/h · 186 mph |
| AVE | Spain | 300 km/h · 186 mph |
| Shanghai Maglev | China, airport line | 300 km/h · 186 mph |
| Acela | USA, Northeast Corridor | 241–257 km/h · 150–160 mph |
| Southeastern high-speed | UK, HS1 line | 225 km/h · 140 mph |
| InterCity main lines | UK, e.g. East and West Coast | 201 km/h · 125 mph |
| Vande Bharat, Gatimaan Express | India, fastest sections | 160 km/h · 99 mph |
| Rajdhani, Shatabdi Express | India, many sections | 130 km/h · 81 mph |
| Most long-distance trains | USA (Amtrak) | 127 km/h · 79 mph |
| Regional and commuter trains | Typical | 100–160 km/h · 62–99 mph |
| Metro and subway trains | Typical | 70–100 km/h · 43–62 mph |
See what these numbers mean: 300 km/h in mph, 320 km/h in mph, 350 km/h in mph, 160 km/h in mph or 150 mph in km/h.
Why the speed drops to 0 in tunnels
Your phone calculates speed from GPS satellite signals. Underground, in tunnels and under station roofs those signals can’t reach the phone, so there is nothing to measure. The speedometer shows that the signal is lost and picks up again a few seconds after the train comes out. Your top speed and distance are kept, although the distance covered inside a long tunnel may be missing.
The same applies to metro and subway trains: on underground sections GPS speed is not available, but it works fine on elevated and surface stretches.
Tips for an accurate reading
- Choose the window side facing open sky, not a station wall or a cutting.
- Try another window if the accuracy stays poor — some modern trains use metal-coated glass that blocks GPS.
- Turn on airplane mode if you like: on most phones GPS keeps working and the battery lasts longer.
- Keep the screen on. The speedometer keeps the screen awake while it runs, so it won’t pause when your phone would normally lock.
- Be patient after a tunnel. The first readings after reacquiring a signal can be jumpy; give it a few seconds.
km/h or mph?
Railways in most countries quote speeds in km/h, while the UK and the US use mph. Switch the speedometer to whichever you prefer. The same GPS speedometer also works in a car, on a bus or on a plane — the main speedometer picks a gauge range that fits your speed. For boats and aircraft you can use knots; see the speed converter for every unit.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check the speed of my train?
Open this page on your phone, tap Start speedometer and allow location access. Keep the phone close to a window. The big number shows your train’s current speed, and the speedometer also records the top speed and the distance travelled.
Why does my train speed show 0 or stop updating?
GPS needs a view of the sky. In tunnels, underground stations, covered platforms and deep inside the carriage the signal is lost, so the speed can freeze or drop to 0. It comes back a few seconds after the train is in the open again. Some trains also have metal-coated windows that weaken GPS — try a different window or the space between carriages.
How fast do Indian trains go?
India’s fastest trains, such as the Vande Bharat Express and the Gatimaan Express, run at up to 160 km/h (about 99 mph) on the best sections. Rajdhani and Shatabdi expresses reach about 130 km/h (81 mph) on many routes, while most other trains are slower. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed line is under construction and designed for 320 km/h.
What is the fastest train in the world?
In everyday passenger service, the top speeds are about 300–350 km/h (186–217 mph), reached on high-speed lines in China, Japan, France and other countries. Test runs have gone much faster: a French TGV reached 574.8 km/h in 2007, and a Japanese maglev reached 603 km/h in 2015.
Does the train speed test work without internet?
Yes. GPS doesn’t use mobile data, so once the page is open the speedometer keeps working even without signal — and even in airplane mode on most phones. You only need a connection to load the page.
How accurate is GPS speed on a train?
When the phone has a good fix (the accuracy badge shows ±25 m or better), GPS speed is typically accurate to within about 1–2 km/h. Readings get less reliable in cuttings, stations and city centres, where signals bounce off walls.
Can I see my train speed in mph?
Yes. Tap mph above the gauge. You can also choose km/h, knots or m/s, and the choice is remembered on your device. To convert a speed you saw on a screen in the train, use the km/h to mph converter.
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