320 km/h along the East European high speed line.
The maximum permitted speed along the network is adjusted to suit the lines: up to 320 km/h for high speed trains (TGV and ICE3) and 160 km/h for most others. However, these limits are set to increase with the modernisation of our infrastructure.
network speeds
Speed and conditions
Speed limits are calculated based on:
The route of the lines,
The state of the infrastructure,
Economic and commercial needs.
Standard speeds on the traditional network
Along most of the main routes in our network, trains travel at the international standard speed of 160 km/h. Nevertheless, starting as far back as 1967, speeds of 200 km/h have been permitted on some sections of modernised track which have had their level crossings removed.
Since 1989, high speed TGV trains can travel at up to 220 km/h on some of these sections thanks to their higher acceleration and braking power compared to traditional trains, their lighter axle load and lower centre of gravity.
Accelerating along high speed lines
Thanks to the modernisation of our network, high speed lines allow speeds of 300 km/h, and even up to 320 km/h (200 mph) on the East European High Speed Line. They are however restricted to 270 km/h on some sections.
Trains can also achieve 300 km/h in Spain, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands, as well as in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
