OpenRailwayMap draws the world's railways on a map, and then keeps going. Switch layers and you see not just where tracks run but how they work: maximum speeds, electrification, signalling systems and gauge. Zoom into a station and the individual tracks, platforms and junctions appear.
It is built on OpenStreetMap data, which means it is made by volunteers and reflects what mappers have recorded. That also means coverage and detail vary by region, so some countries look richer than others.
For train fans this is catnip; for everyone else it is a surprisingly good lesson in how much infrastructure sits behind a timetable. It works on phones, though the layers are easier to read on a bigger screen. Pair it with /site/flightradar24 for the sky version, or browse /category/maps-geography.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Open the layer menu to switch from infrastructure to speed or electrification.
- Zoom to a large station to see the track layout.
- Expect uneven detail between regions.
Questions about OpenRailwayMap
What is OpenRailwayMap?
OpenRailwayMap is a map of the world's railways with layers for infrastructure, speed limits and signalling. It is built from OpenStreetMap data. Plan on plenty of time, since it is a genuine rabbit hole. It works on phones. You can find it at openrailwaymap.org, and we check the link daily.
Where does OpenRailwayMap get its data?
It uses OpenStreetMap, the volunteer-edited map of the world. That means the amount of detail depends on what contributors have mapped in each area. Plan on plenty of time, since it is a genuine rabbit hole. It works on phones. You can find it at openrailwaymap.org, and we check the link daily.
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