A method for obtaining a timing advance TA, comprising: receiving, by a terminal device, first time information broadcast by a first cell, and receiving second time information broadcast by a neighbor cell; and obtaining a TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell based on the following information: a time point indicated by the first time information, a TA from the terminal device to the first cell, a time difference between receiving of the first time information and receiving of the second time information, and a time point indicated by the second time information; characterised in that obtaining a TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell specifically comprises obtaining, based on the TA from the terminal device to the first cell and the time point indicated by the first time information, an absolute time point at which the first time information is received; calculating, based on the absolute time point at which the first time information is received and the time difference between receiving of the first time information and receiving of the second time information, an absolute time point at which the second time information is received; and calculating the TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell based on the absolute time point at which the second time information is received and the time point indicated by the second time information. receiving, by a terminal device, first time information broadcast by a first cell, and receiving second time information broadcast by a neighbor cell; and obtaining a TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell based on the following information: a time point indicated by the first time information, a TA from the terminal device to the first cell, a time difference between receiving of the first time information and receiving of the second time information, and a time point indicated by the second time information; characterised in that obtaining a TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell specifically comprises obtaining, based on the TA from the terminal device to the first cell and the time point indicated by the first time information, an absolute time point at which the first time information is received; calculating, based on the absolute time point at which the first time information is received and the time difference between receiving of the first time information and receiving of the second time information, an absolute time point at which the second time information is received; and calculating the TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell based on the absolute time point at which the second time information is received and the time point indicated by the second time information. obtaining, based on the TA from the terminal device to the first cell and the time point indicated by the first time information, an absolute time point at which the first time information is received; calculating, based on the absolute time point at which the first time information is received and the time difference between receiving of the first time information and receiving of the second time information, an absolute time point at which the second time information is received; and calculating the TA from the terminal device to the neighbor cell based on the absolute time point at which the second time information is received and the time point indicated by the second time information.