High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions include 200 km/h (124 mph) and faster - depending on whether the track is upgraded or new - by the European Union and above 90 mph (145 km/h) by the United States Federal Railroad Administration, but there is no single standard, and lower speeds can be required by local constraints.

While high-speed rail is designed for passenger travel, some high speed systems offer also some kind of freight service. For instance, the French mail service La Poste owns a few special TGV trains for carrying postal freight.