The Beijing to Shanghai high-speed train is a clean, comfortable way to link two very different cities. Plan it as the main event of a travel day, not a squeeze between sightseeing, and book a seat that lets everyone relax.
If you are worried that moving between two huge cities will swallow a day, this page shows what the journey really asks of you.
What is the route like?
The Beijing South to Shanghai Hongqiao high-speed route is about 1,318 km and opened in 2011[1]. The trains here run at up to 350 km/h on the CRH400 Fuxing[2].
The fastest G trains are quoted at as little as 4 hours 18 minutes[3]. Other guides show slightly longer times, so treat that as the best case and confirm your own train.
Which stations will you use?
Most trains use Beijing South, about 6 km from Tiananmen Square, and Shanghai Hongqiao, about 18 km west of central Shanghai[4]. Hongqiao is therefore not in the centre.
Add the ride from Hongqiao to your hotel. The guide to metro from station to hotel shows how, and how station location changes your travel day helps you plan around it.
What does a realistic day look like?
Pick a morning departure and keep the afternoon free. A day built around the train works like this:
- Leave your hotel in time to reach the station with a generous buffer.
- Clear the bag check and gate, then settle in.
- Spend the ride resting, eating and charging your phone.
- Reach Hongqiao, then take the metro or a taxi to your hotel.
- Keep the evening for a quiet meal near the hotel.
Do not plan sightseeing on the same day for older travellers.
Should you take the train or fly?
For most first-timers, the train is easier. Stations are nearer the centre than airports, and the journey leaves time to rest. A flight can suit travellers who value saving a few hours and accept a long airport transfer at each end.
The rail versus flight comparison walks through the choice, and the rail versus flight tool lets you add your own times.
What do you need on the day?
Carry your passport. Foreigners must show it to buy the ticket and to pass the platform gates[5].
Arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure at major stations to clear the bag X-ray[6]. Beijing South is big, so allow extra time for older parents or children.
How does this fit your trip?
The route usually links a north China stay with an east China stay. See the Beijing region overview and the Shanghai versus Beijing first trip guide, or decide whether to combine East China with Beijing. The getting around topic page has more.