A hybrid electrodynamic levitation system that utilizes both superconducting and conductive tracks. The hybrid system reduces the overall drag induced upon the system and reduces the amount of power required to achieve operating speeds, while resolving the issue of requiring velocity relative to the track for levitation. The total initial and operating costs of the hybrid system can be lower than utilizing a superconductive or conductive track alone, while still enabling a fail-safe levitation system for high speed transportation.