How to View GTFS Routes in Google Earth
Google Earth can be a surprisingly useful way to review a transit network. Satellite imagery and 3D context make it easy to see where routes travel, where stops are located, and how transit service relates to streets, development, and surrounding destinations.
The challenge is that Google Earth does not open a GTFS feed directly.
The simplest solution is to convert the geographic information in your GTFS feed into KML.
What is KML?
KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is a geographic file format commonly associated with Google Earth. A KML file can contain points, lines, polygons, labels, and other geographic information.
That makes KML a convenient format for viewing transit routes and stops without specialized GTFS or GIS software.
What part of GTFS contains the route map?
A GTFS feed contains several related text files rather than a single map file.
For route visualization, the most important is shapes.txt.
shapes.txt contains an ordered series of latitude and longitude points describing the path traveled by a vehicle. These points are grouped using a shape_id and connected in sequence to form a route alignment.
Other GTFS files provide additional context:
- routes.txt identifies the route and its rider-facing information.
- trips.txt connects individual trips to a route and shape.
- stops.txt provides the geographic location of stops and stations.
A converter can combine those relationships and turn the raw GTFS data into lines and points that Google Earth understands.
Convert GTFS to KML
The easiest workflow is:
GTFS ZIPKMLGoogle Earth
Use the RoutePress GTFS to KML Converter to upload your GTFS feed and convert its route and stop data into KML.
Once the file is generated, download it to your computer.
Open the routes in Google Earth
After creating the KML:
- Open Google Earth.
- Create or open a project.
- Import the KML file from your computer.
- Google Earth will display the converted route and stop features on the map.
You can then zoom in along individual routes, compare the alignment with aerial imagery, and inspect the surrounding area.
Why view GTFS in Google Earth?
Google Earth is not a replacement for a full GIS, but it can be useful when you need a quick visual reference.
Review route alignments
Follow a route along the street network and quickly identify unusual or outdated geometry.
Review bus stop locations
See stops in relation to intersections, sidewalks, buildings, parking lots, and surrounding development.
Share transit data with project partners
KML provides an easy way to share geographic information with people who may not have access to GIS software.
Understand the surrounding environment
Satellite imagery can provide useful context when reviewing stops, proposed route changes, construction projects, or development plans.
Create a quick presentation or visual reference
Google Earth's familiar interface can be useful for meetings and informal project discussions where a full GIS map is unnecessary.
What if my GTFS feed does not contain shapes.txt?
shapes.txt is optional in the GTFS specification.
If a feed does not include route shapes, the exact path traveled by each route may not be available for conversion.
Stop locations can still be mapped from stops.txt, but they do not by themselves describe the streets used between stops.
Start with your GTFS feed
You do not need to manually edit shapes.txt or build your own KML file.
Use the free RoutePress GTFS to KML Converter to turn your GTFS routes and stops into a Google Earth-ready file.
Upload the GTFS ZIP, download the KML, and open your transit network in Google Earth.