The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes receiving information identifying a start point and an end point in a transit system. The method further includes identifying transit routes between the start point and the end point. Each of the transit routes has one or more portions and each of the portions has one or more modes of transportation. The method further includes calculating a duration for each transit route in the transit routes. The duration is based on average amounts of time spent riding the modes of transportation in the portions of the transit route. The duration is based on a representation of an amount of time spent waiting for the modes of transportation in the portions of the transit route. The method further includes identifying one or more of the transit routes as optimal based on having shortest durations.