Bullet trains typically run at speeds between 240 km/h (150 mph) and 320 km/h (200 mph) during regular operation. The most advanced conventional bullet trains, like Japan's Shinkansen E5 and H5 Series, operate up to 320 km/h. Experimental and test runs have reached higher speeds, such as 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail. The fastest bullet trains, such as the Japanese SCMaglev Maglev trains, have recorded test speeds up to 603 km/h (375 mph), significantly faster than conventional bullet trains.
Conventional Bullet Train Speeds
- Regular operating speeds for conventional bullet trains like the Japanese Shinkansen range from about 240 km/h to 320 km/h.
- The E5 and H5 Series Shinkansen operate at up to 320 km/h in service.
- The earliest Shinkansen in 1964 ran at speeds up to 210 km/h.
Experimental and Maglev Bullet Trains
- Experimental Shinkansen trains have reached up to 443 km/h in test runs.
- The Japanese SCMaglev Maglev train, which levitates using magnetic forces, reached 603 km/h in 2015 tests.
- The planned operating speed for new Maglev bullet trains is about 500 km/h.
Bullet trains are among the fastest trains in the world, with conventional high-speed trains topping out around 320 km/h and experimental maglev trains exceeding 600 km/h in tests.
