Fastest trains in Europe: how fast TGV, ICE, Eurostar and Frecciarossa really go
30 October 2026 | Natalia, Trainradar24 editorial team
Europe's fastest passenger trains run at 300–320 km/h (186–199 mph), and test trains have gone faster than 570 km/h. In Britain the fastest service is Eurostar on High Speed 1, while most main lines top out at 125 mph. Here is how fast TGV, ICE, AVE, Frecciarossa and Eurostar really go, the speed records, and why trains don't simply go faster.
- The fastest passenger trains in Europe are TGVs in France, at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on parts of the high-speed network.
- In the UK, Eurostar runs at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on HS1; Southeastern's Javelin trains reach 225 km/h (140 mph).
- Most other British main lines allow up to 125 mph (201 km/h).
- The world record on rails belongs to France's TGV: 574.8 km/h (357 mph) on 3 April 2007.
Top speeds in passenger service
| Country | Train / service | Top speed with passengers |
|---|---|---|
| France | TGV (also ICE on the LGV Est) | 320 km/h (199 mph) |
| Germany | ICE 3, ICE 3neo | 300 km/h (186 mph) |
| Spain | AVE, Avlo, iryo, OUIGO | 300 km/h (186 mph)* |
| Italy | Frecciarossa 1000, Italo | 300 km/h (186 mph) |
| United Kingdom | Eurostar on the HS1 line | 300 km/h (186 mph) |
| United Kingdom | Intercity trains on the East Coast, West Coast and Great Western main lines | 201 km/h (125 mph) |
| China | Fuxing CR400 (conventional wheel-on-rail) | 350 km/h (217 mph) |
These are the maximum speeds allowed on the fastest stretches of particular lines, not averages and not what the trains could do: the Eurostar e320, for example, is built for 320 km/h, but HS1 is limited to 300 km/h. *In Spain, 310 km/h was allowed on a 60 km section of the Madrid–Barcelona line from 2011 to 2016 before returning to 300 km/h. Trains slow down on curves, through junctions and on older lines, so the average over a whole journey is much lower.
Britain: HS1, 125 mph and HS2
High Speed 1 between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel is Britain's only line built for 300 km/h. On the classic main lines the limit is 125 mph: British rules allow faster running only with in-cab signalling and automatic train protection, such as ETCS. That is one reason why ETCS is being rolled out on the East Coast Main Line. HS2 is being designed for much higher speeds, but its opening has been pushed back several times. You can follow departures live on Trainradar24, for example at London King's Cross and London Euston.
Speed records
| Train | Record | Year |
|---|---|---|
| L0 maglev (Japan) | 603 km/h (375 mph) | 2015 |
| TGV V150 (France) – world record on wheels | 574.8 km/h (357 mph) | 2007 |
| ICE-V (Germany) | 406.9 km/h (253 mph) | 1988 |
| Velaro E / AVE S-103 (Spain) | 403.7 km/h (251 mph) | 2006 |
| Frecciarossa 1000 (Italy) | 393.8 km/h (245 mph) | 2016 |
| Eurostar (UK, HS1) | 334.7 km/h (208 mph) | 2003 |
Records are set in special conditions on a chosen stretch of line. For the TGV record the overhead line voltage was raised from 25 kV to about 31 kV, and the V150 was a specially prepared trainset. Series-built trains run much slower in service.
Why don't trains go even faster?
- Air resistance. Drag rises with the square of speed, and the power needed to overcome it – under comparable conditions – roughly with the cube. A higher speed shortens the journey but raises energy use, mostly to push through the air.
- Wear on track, wheels and wires. At high speed the pantograph makes the contact wire oscillate more. We explain how overhead lines work here.
- Braking and signalling. At 300 km/h a train needs several kilometres to stop, so high-speed lines use in-cab signalling and automatic train protection such as ETCS: the driver sees the movement authority on a screen and the system supervises speed and braking.
- Curves and noise. High-speed lines need very gentle curves, and noise limits speeds close to towns.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest train in Europe?
In passenger service, the French TGV at up to 320 km/h (199 mph). The TGV also holds the
world speed record on wheels, 574.8 km/h.
What is the fastest train in the UK?
Eurostar, at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on HS1. Eurostar also set the British record of
334.7 km/h (208 mph) in 2003.
What is the fastest train in the world?
In regular conventional (wheel-on-rail) service, China's Fuxing trains at 350 km/h. The absolute record belongs to
Japan's L0 maglev: 603 km/h in 2015.
How fast does Eurostar go?
Up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on HS1 and on the high-speed lines in France and Belgium.
Sources: UIC – high-speed rail, HS2, FS Italiane – Frecciarossa 1000, Wikipedia – land speed record for rail vehicles, Alstom – 574.8 km/h world record, Wikipedia – Madrid–Barcelona high-speed line.
