A data transmission time obtaining method, apparatus, and system are provided. The method includes: A first device sends a first packet to a second device, and obtains a first send timestamp of the first packet; the first device receives a second packet that is sent by the second device and that corresponds to the first packet, and obtains a first receive timestamp of the second packet; the first device calculates, based on timing frequency of the second device, a second receive timestamp at which the second device receives the first packet and a second send timestamp at which the second device sends the second packet; and the first device calculates a data transmission time between the first device and the second device based on the first send timestamp, the first receive timestamp, the second send timestamp, and the second receive timestamp.