Beijing - Shanghai Trains

The Beijing–Shanghai railway route is one of the busiest, most important, and popular rail routes in China. Beijing–Shanghai train lines connect the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, passing through the provinces of Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

There are 45pairs of trains running between Beijing and Shanghai: 39 pairs of daytime G-category trains, 3 pairs of overnight D-category trains, and 3 pairs of overnight normal trains.

Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Trains

The Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway (HSR) opened in 2011.It’s 1,318 kilometers (819 miles) in length with a travel time of about 4½ to 6½ hours. There are 39 daytime G trains and 2 overnight D trains running on the Beijing–Shanghai HSR.

G train terminals: Beijing South Station (北京南站), Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)

D train terminals: Beijing Railway Station (北京站), Beijing South Station (北京南站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站), Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥站)

Beijing–Shanghai HSR train types: 

• Fuxinghao (复兴号): 300–400km/h
• G trains: 300–350km/h
• D trains (bullet trains): 200–250km/h

Beijing to Shanghai HSR Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
G5	07:00-11:29	4h29m	Beijing South - Shanghai Station
G123	11:05-16:50	5h45m	Beijing South - Shanghai Hongqiao
G139	13:45-20:05	6h20m	Beijing South - Shanghai Hongqiao
G21	19:08-23:40	4h32m	Beijing South - Shanghai Station

There are 39 daytime high-speed trains in total running from Beijing to Shanghai, departing from 06:19 to 19:08. The four shown are a representative selection.

Shanghai to Beijing HSR Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
G8	08:00-12:24	4h24m	Shanghai Hongqiao - Beijing South
G130	11:15-17:44	6h29m	Shanghai Station- Beijing South
G170	15:52-21:18	5h26m	Shanghai Hongqiao - Beijing South
G22	19:00-23:18	4h18m	Shanghai Hongqiao - Beijing South

There are 39 daytime high-speed trains in total running from Shanghai to Beijing, departing from 06:26 to 19:00. The four shown are a representative selection.

Beijing - Shanghai HSR Ticket Prices

Second Class	First Class	Business class
US$85 (553 CNY)	US$142 (930 CNY)	US$267 (1,748 CNY)

The schedules and prices are just for reference. Click here for up-to-date schedules and prices.

Seat Classes on Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Trains

High-speed trains on the Beijing-Shanghai rail route have three types of seats: Second Class, First Class, and Business Class. Second Class seats and First Class seats are the most popular among travelers. Business Class seats are the most expensive and the most comfortable. Here is an introduction to each seat class.

Second Class

Second Class seats are the standard type and the cheapest on high-speed trains. They are the most common type on G, D, and C trains. A Second Class coach has five seats per row: two seats on one side of the aisle and three on the other. The configuration is A+B+C and D+F. Seats A and F are window seats.

First Class

First Class carriages provide more comfort and privacy than Second Class. A First Class seat is wider than a Second Class seat. First Class seats are arranged in rows lettered A+C and D+F, offering more leg room and elbow room. Moreover, automatic doors separate the coaches to keep them quiet and private.

Business Class

Business Class seats are available on most G-category trains and some D- and C-category trains. This is the most luxurious and expensive class on high-speed trains. There are three seats in a row: two seats on one side and one on the other side of the aisle (coded A+C and F). As for First Class, there are automatic doors to keep the coaches quiet and private.

Beijing–Shanghai Normal Trains

There are three types of normal train between Beijing and Shanghai. One of each type departs Beijing and Shanghai each day. All normal trains are overnight trains.

Terminals: Beijing Railway Station (北京站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站), Shanghai South Station (上海南站)

Beijing–Shanghai Normal Train Types

Z Trains: Z trains are also called non-stop express trains. They are the fastest among normal trains. The top speed is 160 kph.

T Trains: T trains are called express trains, with a limited number of stops along the way. This is the second fastest normal train type. The top speed is 140 kph.

Ordinary Trains: Ordinary train numbers are made up of four digits. This is the slowest type of train in China. These trains stop at almost every stop along the rail route.

Beijing to Shanghai Normal Train Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
1461	11:55-06:57	19h2m	Beijing Station- Shanghai Station
Z281	19:10-09:51	14h41m	Beijing Station- Shanghai South
T109	20:05-11:00	14h55m	Beijing Station- Shanghai Railway

Shanghai to Beijing Normal Train Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
1462	12:15-10:50	22h35m	Shanghai Station- Beijing Station
T110	17:57-10:08	16h11m	Shanghai Station- Beijing Station
Z282	19:29-10:22	14h53m	Shanghai South- Beijing Station

Beijing–Shanghai Normal-Train Ticket Prices

Hard Seat	Hard Sleeper	Soft Sleeper
US$27 (178 CNY)	US$47 (305 CNY)	US$73 (477 CNY)

The schedules and prices above are just for reference. Click here for up-to-date schedules and prices.

Beijing–Shanghai Overnight Bullet Trains

There are six pairs of overnight trains running between Beijing and Shanghai: three pairs of overnight bullet trains (D trains) and three pairs of normal trains (see above).

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
D701	19:22-07:25	12h3m	Beijing Station- Shanghai Hongqiao
D709	19:46-07:44	11h58m	Beijing South- Shanghai Station
D705	21:21-09:21	12h	Beijing Station- Shanghai Station

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Schedule

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
D702	19:08-07:12	12h4m	Shanghai Station- Beijing South
D706	21:18-09:24	12h6m	Shanghai Hongqiao - Beijing Station
D710	21:23-09:22	11h59m	Shanghai Station- Beijing South

Beijing–Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train Ticket Prices

Second Class Seat	Hard Sleeper	Soft Sleeper
US$38 (248 CNY)	US$57 (372 CNY)	US$72 (472 CNY)

The schedules and prices above are just for reference. Click here for up-to-date schedules and prices.

How to Catch Your Train in Beijing

Beijing Railway Station and Beijing South Station are the Beijing terminal stations for the Beijing–Shanghai railway route. Here we cover getting to and using the two stations.

Getting to Beijing Railway Station

Beijing Railway Station is located in the city center, near Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. It is about 9 kilometers (6 miles) from Beijing South Railway Station and 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Capital International Airport. It’s one of the main train stations in Beijing, serving all three normal trains on the Beijing–Shanghai route and some of its overnight bullet (D) trains.

You can take subway line 2 to get to Beijing Railway Station or bus 24, Airport Shuttle Bus Line 3, or the Airport Bus Line. By taxi, it takes about 10 minutes from Tian’anmen Square and 30–40 minutes from Capital International Airport.

Getting to Beijing South Station

Beijing South Station is the second busiest train station in Beijing and the one with most bullet trains. It is 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Tian’anmen Square and 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Beijing Capital International Airport. It’s is a high-speed train station, operating all Beijing–Shanghai G trains and some of the overnight D trains.

You can take subway line 4 and 14 to Beijing South Railway Station, bus 20, 84, 102, 106, 381, 458, or Night 17 to the north entrance, or bus 343, 529, 652, 665, Te 5, Te 8, Te 17, Night 15, or Night 24 to the south entrance. By taxi, it takes about 15 minutes from Tian’anmen Square or35 minutes from Capital International Airport.

Using Beijing Railway Station

If you go to the Beijing Station by subway, you will arrive at the north of the station. Buses arrive at various locations outside the station. Taxis stop at the station’s front square.

If you already have a ticket, you can enter the station directly with your passport. If not, go to the ticket office to buy a ticket on the west of the terminal building. Once inside, find your waiting room using your ticket information and the LED screens. For more, see How to Take a Train in China.

Using Beijing South Station

If you go to Beijing South by subway, you will arrive at-1F (the level under the station). Buses arrive at various locations outside the station. Taxis stop at the station’s front square.

If you don’t have a ticket, the ticket office is on -1F (floor -1).If you have a ticket, enter the station directly from the south or north entrance with your passport. Then take the escalator to 2F (floor 2) where the waiting rooms are located. Find your waiting room using your ticket information and the LED screens. For more, see How to Take a Train in China.

How to Catch Your Train in Shanghai

Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Station are the Shanghai termini for the Beijing–Shanghai railway route.

Getting to Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai Railway Station is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Shanghai South Railway Station, 20 kilometers (13 miles) from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Hongqiao International Airport, and 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Pudong International Airport.

You can take subway line 1, 3,or4 to Shanghai Railway Station; bus 106, 115, 117, 305, or 306 to its north square; bus 328, 573, 955, Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus Line 5,orNanxin Special Line to its bus terminal; or bus 95, 104, 109, 113, 306 to its south square. By taxi, it takes about 30 minutes from Shanghai South Railway Station or50 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao Station.

Getting to Shanghai Hongqiao Station

Shanghai Hongqiao Station is beside Hongqiao International Airport with a passagewayto Terminal 2. Shanghai Hongqiao Station is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city center and 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Pudong International Airport.

You can take subway line 2, 10, or 17 to get to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or these buses:941, Hongqiao Line 5, Hongqiao Line 4, Hong Qiao Line 9, or Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1. By taxi, it takes about 45 minutes from Shanghai Railway Station or1 hour 15 minutes from Pudong International Airport.

Using Shanghai Railway Station

Subway line 1 goes to Shanghai Railway Station’s south square and subway lines 3 and 4 got to the north square. Taxis stop at the north square or south square.

If you have a ticket, you can enter the station directly through the north or south entrances via a passport, ticket, and security check. If not, first go to a ticket office on the north or south square to buy one.

Using Shanghai Hongqiao Station

The subway stop is on -1F (the basement floor).Buses stop at the west or east side of the station. Taxis can stop at the entrance to the waiting halls on 2F (floor 2).

When you have a ticket, enter the station’s 2Fwaiting area room via the security/ticket check. There are ticket offices on -1F and 2F and escalators between the floors.

Beijing–Shanghai by Train or Plane

High-speed train is the most popular way to go from Beijing to Shanghai (or vice versa).Most people consider that taking a high-speed train is more comfortable than taking a flight. In the daytime, it takes 4½–6½ hours and a Second Class seat is usually from 76 USD to 92 USD.

Flights are the fastest way from Beijing to Shanghai, taking 2–2½ hours. However, they’re the most expensive way — usually from 90 USD to 219 USD.

Other Popular Rail Routes from Beijing

• Beijing–Xi’an Trains
• Beijing–Guangzhou Trains
• Beijing–Tianjin Trains
• Beijing–Guilin Trains

Booking Your Train Tickets Online with Train Spread

Buying China train tickets online with a travel agency like Train Spread is the most convenient way. Train Spread makes online booking available to you in English and aims to save you a lot of time and hassle. All inquiries are handled by our local travel specialists who have a lot of experience in booking train tickets and are good at planning train travel routes.