Train Journey Duration Calculator

A train journey time calculator estimates how long a rail trip takes from the distance, the average speed of the train, the number of station stops and the conditions on the day. The basic idea is the same one you learn in school: time equals distance divided by speed. A real train trip is longer than that bare number because trains stop at stations, slow down on older track, and run slower in snow, fog or heavy rain. This calculator starts from the simple time and then adds each of those effects, so you can see where the extra minutes come from.

You can type the distance yourself, or search for the From and To places on the free map and press the button to fill in the distance. The map measures the straight line between the two places. Rail lines almost never run in a straight line, because they follow valleys, bridges, tunnels and existing stations. The real route is therefore usually longer than the straight line, and by how much depends on the route. Treat the map figure as a starting point, and change the distance if you know the track length from a timetable or a rail operator.

• Distance and base speed: these give the base journey time.
• Track type: high-speed, mainline, regional or local track adds an increasing share of extra time.
• Station stops: the number of stops multiplied by the minutes the train stands at each one.
• Weather: rain, snow and fog add extra time because trains run more slowly.
• Peak hours and passenger load: busy trains and busy lines take longer to board and to run.

1. Base time = distance ÷ base speed. For 400 km at 200 km/h this is 2 hours.
2. Track effect = base time × (track factor − 1). The factors are 1.0 for high-speed, 1.2 for mainline, 1.4 for regional and 1.6 for local track.
3. Station delay = number of stops × minutes per stop ÷ 60, which converts the stop time to hours.
4. Weather delay = base time × (weather factor − 1). The factors are 1.0 for clear, 1.2 for rain, 1.3 for fog and 1.5 for snow.
5. Peak hour delay = 20% of the base time when peak hours is set to Yes.
6. Loading delay = base time × (passenger load factor − 1). The factors are 1.0 for light, 1.1 for moderate, 1.2 for heavy and 1.3 for maximum.
7. Adjusted time = base time + all the delays above. Total delay is the adjusted time minus the base time.

• High-speed line: 400 km at 200 km/h, high-speed track, clear weather, light load, no peak, 2 stops of 3 minutes. Base time 400 ÷ 200 = 2 h. Station delay 2 × 3 ÷ 60 = 0.1 h. All other delays are 0. Adjusted time 2.1 h = 2 h 06 min.
• Mainline in the rain: 150 km at 100 km/h, mainline track, rain, moderate load, no peak, 3 stops of 2 minutes. Base time 1.5 h. Track effect 1.5 × 0.2 = 0.3 h. Station delay 3 × 2 ÷ 60 = 0.1 h. Weather delay 1.5 × 0.2 = 0.3 h. Loading delay 1.5 × 0.1 = 0.15 h. Adjusted time 1.5 + 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.3 + 0.15 = 2.35 h = 2 h 21 min.
• Straight line versus the real route: London to Edinburgh is about 534 km in a straight line. At 120 km/h that is 534 ÷ 120 = 4.45 h = 4 h 27 min. If the track between them were 600 km long, the same speed would give 600 ÷ 120 = 5 h. This is why you should check the track distance when you know it.

Other straight-line distances from the map, for reference: Paris to Lyon about 392 km and Madrid to Barcelona about 505 km. These are distances over the Earth's surface and not track lengths, so the real rail distance is not the same.

After you calculate, the timeline shows the journey as a bar. The width of each part is proportional to its minutes: blue for riding, amber for standing at stations and red for the extra time added by track, weather, peak hours and load. The train marker runs along the bar from start to arrival, and the Replay button runs it again.

• Use the average speed of the whole trip, not the top speed of the train. A train that can run at 300 km/h may average much less once stops and slower sections are counted.
• Check the timetable of the operator for the real running time and use this calculator to compare scenarios such as bad weather or a busier train.
• Allow extra time for changes. Platform changes, delays on the first train and walking between stations are not part of the running time.
• Arrive at the station early for long trips, and allow more time at large stations.
• Travelling outside peak hours often gives a quieter train and a more predictable trip.
• If you enter a distance from the map, remember that it is a straight line and that the rail route is usually longer. Increase the distance if you know the track length.