Beijing – Shanghai High-Speed Trains

The railway between Beijing and Shanghai, also called Jinghu Railway (京沪铁路), is one of the busiest, most important and popular rail lines in China. It departs from Bejing, passes through major cities Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing and Suzhou, and arrives at Shanghai. After the high-speed service on this railway began, the train travel time between Beijing and Shanghai has been greatly shortened. The fastest train from Beijing to Shanghai takes less than 4.5 hours to finish 1,318 kilometers.

There are 42 pairs of high-speed trains running between Beijing and Shanghai, with G-category trains operating during the daytime and D-category trains running at night.

Brief Introduction

• Distance: 1,318 kilometers (819 miles)
• Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Number of trains: 40 daytime G-category trains and 2 overnight D-category trains
• Terminals of G trains: Beijing South Station (北京南站), Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)
• Terminals of D trains: Beijing South Station (北京南站), Beijing Railway Station (北京站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)

Beijing to Shanghai Daytime High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Trains listed in the table are the fastest ones from Beijing to Shanghai. There are 40 daytime bullet trains in total running between these two cities, departing from 06:43 to 19:08. The timetable above is only for your reference. If you want up-to-date schedules, please use the search tool at the top of this page, or search on China Train Ticket Service.

Shanghai to Beijing Daytime High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Trains listed in the table are the fastest ones from Shanghai to Beijing. There are 40 daytime bullet trains in total running between these two cities, departing from 06:26 to 19:00. Shanghai to Beijing bullet train's up-to-date schedules.

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train Schedules

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Please note: These two overnight bullet trains operate at different train stations:

• Train D709 terminates at Beijing South and Shanghai railway stations. Beijing South Station is a long way from the city cneter.
• Train D705 terminate at centrally located Beijing and Shanghai railway stations.

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Schedules

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Shanghai to Beijing overnight bullet train up-to-date schedules.

Beijing – Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket Prices

Children's tickets: A child fare is 50% (for seats) or about 75% (for sleepers) of the full price (children fares do not apply to sleepers on D and G trains). Children's fares apply to children not taller than 1.5 m and younger than 12 years of age. Refer to this link for more information about children's tickets.

Also read How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China.

"Fuxinghao" – China's Newest Type of High-Speed Train

China has developed a new type of high-speed train called "Fuxinghao", with a maximum speed of 400 kph (250 mph). The first pairs of "Fuuxinghao" high-speed trains operated on Beijing–Shanghai rail line in 2017.

Compared to "Hexiehao" high-speed trains, "Fuxinghao" high-speed trains are more comfortable and better-equipped. The whole train has access to Wi-Fi.

Nowadays, "Fuxinghao" high-speed trains on Beijing–Shanghai route are G5/G6 between Beijing South Station and Shanghai Railway Station; G1/G2, G3/G4, G5/G6, G7/G8, G9/G10 and G17/G18 between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao Station.

Find out more about China high-speed train types.

Beijing – Shanghai Non-Bullet Train

• Number of trains: 2 normal-speed overnight trains
• Shortest duration: 15 hours 13 minutes
• Terminals: Beijing Railway Station (北京站), Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Train Schedules and Ticket Fares

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Beijing to Shanghai ordinary train up-to-date schedules.

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Train Schedules and Ticket Fares

(Updated on March 25th, 2019)

Shanghai to Beijing ordinary train up-to-date schedules.

How to Choose Train Types and Seat Classes

Beijing – Shanghai Daytime Bullet Train

1. This type of trains are the fastest ones among all the types. Especially "Fuxinghao", the fastest passenger train in the world, which can operate up to 400 km/h (249 miles per hour). Tickets on G trains are the most expensive.

2. G trains have three classes of seat: business class, first class and second class.

• Second class is the cheapest class on a high-speed train, with 5 seats (3+2) in a row. Some passengers find second class a bit cramped.
• First class is more spacious than second class, with 4 seats (2+2) in a row. More expensive than second class.
• Business class is the most comfortable yet most expensive class on a high-speed train. It has 3 leather seats (1+2) in a row, which can be reclined to a flat bed.

Beijing – Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train

1. Overnight bullet trains are fast, clean and modern. They travel at night, save you a night's hotel bill and also leaves you sufficient daytime for sightseeing.

2. Soft sleeper on bullet trains are comfortable and provide great privacy. There are four berths, two upper and two lower berths, in a private compartment, with a lockable door. Lower berth is more expensive than upper berth. Pillow, sheet and blanket are provided.

3. There are also second-class seats on an overnight high-speed train. The ticket fare is cheaper than a sleeper ticket. But it would be tiring to sit in a chair for such a long journey.

Beijing – Shanghai Non-Bullet Overnight Train

1. Normal-speed overnight trains are slower, and not as new as bullet overnight trains, and facilities inside are a bit outdated. Ticket fares are cheaper. It is a good choice for travelers with limites budget.

2. Some trains have superior soft sleeper (2 berths in a private compartment), which is the most luxurious sleeper class and are perfect for couples. Soft sleeper is the most popular in foreign travlers. Hard sleeper is more cost-effective. It consists of open plan compartments and does not provide good privacy as soft sleeper.

Transportation — From Beijing South to Other Stations/Airport/Attractions

To Beijing Railway Station

• Beijing Subway: Take Subway Line 4 from Beijing South Station to Xuanwumen, then take Line 2 to Beijing Railway Station.
• Bus: 17, 20, 24, 122

To Beijing West Railway Station

• Beijing Subway: Take Subway Line 4 from Beijing South Station to Caishikou, then take Line 7 to Beijing West Railway Station.
• Bus: 14, 741, 102

To Beijing Capital International Airport

• Beijing Subway: Take Subway Line 4 from Beijing South Station to Xizhimen, then take Line 2 to Dongzhimen, and then take Airport Express Line to Beijing International Airport
• Bus: There are Airport Shuttle Buses from Beijing South directly to Beijing Capital International Airport, takine around 1 hour on the way. Buses operate from 06:00 to 21:00, with the average interval time of 30 minutes.

To Tian'anmen Square and Tian'anmen Square

• Beijing Subway: Take Subway Line 4 from Beijing South Station to Xidan, then take Line 1 to Tian'anmen Square
• Bus: 17, 20

Transportation — From Shanghai Hongqiao to Other Stations/Airport

To Shanghai South Station

• Shanghai Metro: Take Line 2 from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Renmin Square, then take Line 1 to Shanghai South Station

To Shanghai Railway Station

• Shanghai Metro: Take Line 2 from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Renmin Square, then take Line 2 to Shanghai Railway Station

To Shanghai Pudong International Airport

• Shanghai Metro: Take Line 1 from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Pudong International Airport

Beijing to Shanghai, by Train or Plane?

Between Beijing and Shanghai, which means of transportation is better, by high-speed train or plane?

Quick Facts

Read more about Beijing to Shanghai by Train or Plane

Related Articles

• How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China
• High-Speed Train in China (Bullet Train)
• How to Take a Train in China
• China's 10 Fastest Trains — World Records and Benefits for You

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