United Kingdom
NetherlandsLondon to Rotterdam shipping route.
514 km by rail, about 17 h 6 min in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: London and Rotterdam
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
LondonRailRotterdamRail freight transit time
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Freight Distance | 514 km (319 mi) |
| Straight line | 321 km |
| Transit time | 17 h 6 min |
| Assumption | 30 km/h average freight speed |
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About the London to Rotterdam shipping route by rail
The rail shipping route from London, United Kingdom to Rotterdam, Netherlands runs 514 km on the freight network, heading east. The straight line between the cities is 321 km, the track adds 60%.
At an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops and crew changes included, the transit time is about 17 h 6 min. Terminal handling at both ends and the border crossing between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands come on top.
Rail freight suits heavy, high volume cargo that is not urgent: containers, steel, chemicals, grain, cars. Per tonne it emits far less CO2 than trucking the same distance. Most shipments still need a truck for the first and last mile to the rail terminals in London and Rotterdam.
By road the same trip is 509 km and takes a truck about 8 h.
Of 33 rail routes from London in this directory, Rotterdam is the 3rd shortest. Closer destinations: Paris (481 km) and Antwerp (415 km).
FAQ
What is the rail distance from London to Rotterdam?
514 km by rail (321 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from London to Rotterdam?
About 17 h 6 min at an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops included. Border and terminal times vary.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Rotterdam to London has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- London to
Antwerp415 km - London to
Paris481 km - London to
Duisburg647 km - London to Bremen889 km
- London to Lyon909 km
- London to
Basel920 km - Duisburg to Rotterdam212 km
- Bremen to Rotterdam395 km
- Paris to Rotterdam450 km
- Hamburg to Rotterdam501 km
- Berlin to Rotterdam671 km
- Basel to Rotterdam705 km
How we count: rail distance on the freight network, 30 km/h average including stops. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all rail distance between cities or the Shipping Routes Directory.