Beijing to Shanghai Trains

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

More international tourists plan to visit China in 2024, thanks to the extension of the visa-free policy. Passport holders from 15 countries are now allowed to travel to China without the need to apply for a Chinese visa. Beijing and Shanghai, having the most international flights in China, have also seen an increase in the number of trains traveling between the two cities. Notably, more than 10 intelligent trains are now operational, offering passengers a more enjoyable travel experience.

Fuxing Hao Train

Beijing to Shanghai High-Speed Trains

The Beijing to 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 to 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 to Shanghai HSR train types: 

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

Beijing to Shanghai High-Speed Train Schedule

Train Schedule last updated: August 6th, 2024

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
G101	06:10-12:09	5h59m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G1	07:00-11:29	4h29m	Beijing South-Shanghai Station
G109	07:45-13:48	6h3m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G3	08:00-12:32	4h32m	Beijing South-Shanghai Station
G5	09:00-13:37	4h37m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G119	09:24 -15:32	6h8m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G7	10:00-14:35	4h35m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G9	11:00-15:37	4h37m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G11	12:00-16:38	4h38m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G13	13:00-17:35	4h35m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G15	14:00-18:33	4h35m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G17	15:00-19:34	4h34m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G19	16:00-20:28	4h28m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G21	17:00-21:18	4h18m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G161	17:33-23:37	6h4m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G23	18:00-22:43	4h34m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
G27	19:00-23:29	4h29m	Beijing South-Shanghai Hongqiao
D7	19:22-07:25	12h3m	Beijing Station-Shanghai Station
D9	19:36-07:46	12h10m	Beijing Station-Shanghai Station
D5	21:21-09:27	12h6m	Beijing Station-Shanghai Station

Shanghai to Beijing High-Speed Train Schedule

Train Schedule last updated: August 6th, 2024

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
G104	06:27-13:12	6h45m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G2	07:00-11:36	4h36m	Shanghai Station-Beijing South
G108	07:27-13:36	6h9m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G6	08:00-12:24	4h24m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G8	09:00-13:27	4h27m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G116	09:26-15:22	5h56m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G10	10:00-14:26	4h26m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G12	11:00-15:31	4h31m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G14	11:53-16:38	4h45m	Shanghai Station-Beijing South
G16	12:55-17:36	4h41m	Shanghai Station-Beijing South
G18	14:00-18:35	4h35m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G20	15:00-19:36	4h36m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G22	16:00-20:37	4h37m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G24	17:00-21:33	4h43m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
G26	17:55-22:36	4h41m	Shanghai Station-Beijing South
G28	19:00-23:18	4h18m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South
D8	19:08-07:14	12h6m	Shanghai Station-Beijing Station
D6	21:15-09:26	12h11m	Shanghai Station-Beijing Station
D10	21:21-09:24	12h3m	Shanghai Hongqiao-Beijing South

Intelligent High-Speed Train

Beijing to Shanghai trains G1, G5, G7, G9, G11, G13, G141, G15, G19, G21, G25, and G27 and Shanghai to Beijing trains G104, G2, G6, G8, G12, G14, G134, G18, G20, G22, G24, G26, and G28 are intelligent high-speed trains. There is WiFi service in the business-class coaches of an intelligent high-speed train. The monitors in business-class coaches support smart phone projection. The seats in business-class coaches can be completely flatten, which allows passengers to lie down and see movies.

The facilities on first-class and second-class coaches of a intelligent train are also better than normal high-speed trains. For example, there are USB charging interfaces on the back of seats in the second-class coaches, and the neck pillows and foot stools are adjustable. The brightness of lights in the wash rooms on all coaches of an intelligent high-speed train are also adjustable.

Beijing - Shanghai HSR Ticket Prices

Second Class	First Class	Business class
From US$93 (662 CNY)	From US$150 (1,067 CNY)	From US$326 (2,331 CNY)

The schedules and ticket prices might be changed without official notice, please contact us for the exact information.

Seat Classes on Beijing to 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.

Seats on a Fuxing Hao Train

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 to 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 to 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 Schedule last updated: Sep.17, 2023

Train Number	Times (Departure-Arrival)	Duration	Stations
1461	11:55-06:47	18h52m	Beijing Station-Shanghai Station
Z281	19:17-09:46	14h29m	Beijing Fengtai-Shanghai South
T109	20:05-11:00	14h55m	Beijing Station-Shanghai Station

Beijing to Shanghai Normal-Train Ticket Prices

Hard Seat	Hard Sleeper	Soft Sleeper
From US$22.6 (156.5 CNY)	From US$40.8 (283.5 CNY)	From US$65.7 (455.5 CNY)

The schedules and ticket prices might be changed without official notice, please contact us for the exact information.

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.

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.

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 to 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.

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.

Beijing South Railway Station

How to Get to The Bund from Railway Stations in Shanghai?

Both the high-speed trains and normal trains from Beijing to Shanghai usually stop at Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Station or Shanghai South. It is very convenient to get to The Bund, where is considered to be Shanghai’s center, from these three railway stations. The major tourist attractions, such as Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, and People’s Square, are very close to The Bund.

The Bund Shanghai

Getting to The Bund from Shanghai Hongqiao Station

The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is 20 kilometers away from The Bund. Passengers are suggested to take subway line 2 from the Hongqiao Railway Station stop and get off at the East Nanjing Road stop, and then get out from the Exit 3 of the stop and walk about one kilometer to reach The Bund. It costs around 80 CNY to take a taxi to The Bund from the Hongqiao Station.

Getting to The Bund from Shanghai Station

The Shanghai Station is near the city center of Shanghai. Passengers can either take bus 929 or subway line 1 and 2 to get to The Bund.

If you arrive in Shanghai between 10:00 and 15:00, it is better to take a bus, because the traffic condition is better, and the bus sightseeing experience is excellent during these five hours. Take bus 929 at Shanghai Station North Square stop and get of at Middle Henan Road and East Nanjing Road stop.

For passengers who travel to Shanghai during weekends, public holiday, or rush hours, it is suggested to take subway. Get on subway line 1 at the Shanghai Railway Station stop, and get off at People’s Square stop to transfer to line 2, and get off at East Nanjing Road stop. Finally, get out from Exit 3.

Getting to The Bund from Shanghai South Station

Currently, there is only one train arrives in Shanghai from Beijing at the Shanghai South Station - the train Z281. It is very convenient to go to The Bund from Shanghai South Station by subway. Board on subway line 1 at the Shanghai South Station stop and transfer to line 2 at the People’s Square stop, and then get off at East Nanjing Road stop. Walk around one kilometer after getting out of the subway stop from Exit 3.

Other Popular Rail Routes from Beijing

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