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 August 5th, 2019)
| Beijing South Railway Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| G1 | 09:00 | 13:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G7 | 10:00 | 14:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G9 | 12:00 | 16:36 | 4 h 36 min |
| G3 | 14:00 | 18:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G11 | 15:00 | 19:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G13 | 17:00 | 21:36 | 4 h 36 min |
| Beijing South Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station | |||
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| G5 | 07:00 | 11:40 | 4 h 40 min |
| G21 | 19:08 | 23:40 | 4 h 32 min |
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 August 5th, 2019)
| Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| G8 | 08:00 | 12:24 | 4 h 24 min |
| G2 | 09:00 | 13:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G10 | 10:00 | 14:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G4 | 14:00 | 18:28 | 4 h 28 min |
| G14 | 15:00 | 19:36 | 4 h 36 min |
| Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station | |||
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| G6 | 07:00 | 11:38 | 4 h 38 min |
| G12 | 12:00 | 16:38 | 4 h 38 min |
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 August 5th, 2019)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| D701 | 19:22 from Beijing Railway Station | 07:26 next day at Shanghai Railway Station | 12 h 4 min |
| D709 | 19:46 from Beijing South Station | 07:46 next day at Shanghai Railway Station | 12 h |
| D703 | 21:16 from Beijing South Station | 09:17 next day at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station | 12 h 1 min |
| D705 | 21:21 from Beijing Railway Station | 09:20 next day at Shanghai Railway Station | 11 h 59 min |
“Hexiehao” high-speed train from Shanghai to BeijingPlease note: These 4 overnight bullet trains operate at different train stations:
1. Train D709 terminates at Beijing South and Shanghai railway stations. Beijing South Station is a long way from the city cneter.
2. Trains D705 and D701 terminate at centrally located Beijing and Shanghai railway stations.
3. Train D703 terminate at Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao railway station, which are both far away from the city centers.
Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Schedules
(Updated on August 5th, 2019)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| D702 | 19:09 from Shanghai Railway Station | 07:12 next day at Beijing Railway Station | 12 h 3 min |
| D706 | 21:18 from Shanghai Railway Station | 09:24 next day at Beijing Railway Station | 12 h 6 min |
| D710 | 21:24 from Shanghai Railway Station | 09:22 next day at Beijing South Station | 11 h 58 min |
| D704 | 21:31 from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station | 09:42 next day at Beijing South Station | 12 h 11 min |
Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Up-to-Date Schedules.
Beijing – Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket Prices
| Train Types | Seat Classes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| G trains | Business class seat | 1,748 CNY (US$266) |
| 1st class seat | 933 CNY (US$142) | |
| 2nd class seat | 553 CNY (US$84) | |
| Overnight D trains | Soft sleeper(four berths in a private compartment) | 740 CNY (US$110) |
| Hard sleeper (six berths in an open-plan compartment) | 550 CNY ( | |
| 2nd class seat | 386 CNY (US$57) |
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.
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
(Updated on August 5th, 2019)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1461 | 11:55 | 07:00 next day | 19 h 5 min |
| Z281 | 19:10 | 09:54 next day | 14 h 44 min |
| T109 | 20:05 | 11:00 next day | 14 h 55 min |
Beijing to Shanghai Ordinary Train Up-to-date Schedules.
Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Train Schedules
(Updated on August 5th, 2019)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1462 | 12:18 | 10:50 next day | 22 h 32 min |
| T110 | 17:57 | 10:08 next day | 16 h 11 min |
| Z282 | 19:30 | 10:22 next day | 14 h 52 min |
Shanghai to Beijing Ordinary Train Up-to-Date Schedules.
Ticket Fares
| Train Number | Superior soft sleeper | Soft sleeper | Hard sleeper | Hard seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1461 | – | 501 CNY (US$74) | 312 CNY (US$46) | 156.5 CNY (US$23) |
| T109 | 879.5 CNY (US$129) | 525 CNY (US$77) | 335 CNY (US$50) | 177.5 CNY (US$26) |
| Z282 | – | 525 CNY (US$77) | 335 CNY (US$50) | 177.5 CNY (US$26) |
How to Choose Train Types and Seat Classes
High-speed sleeper train from Beijing to ShanghaiBeijing – 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.
“Fuxinghao” – the newest high-speed train in China and the fastest train in the world“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, 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 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.
Soft sleeper on Beijing to Shanghai non-bullet train3. 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.
Also read How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China.
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
| Plane | Bullet Train | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Price | 600 – 1490 CNY (USD 88-219) | 553 – 1748 CNY (USD 81-257) |
| Duration | 2 – 2.5 hours | 4.5 – 6 hours |
| Total Travel Time | 6 hours | 7 – 8 hours |
| Punctuality | Sometimes there will be delays | Punctual |
Read more information about Beijing to Shanghai by Train or Plane?
Other Popular Rail Routes From Beijing
Domestic High-Speed Rail Lines
- Beijing to Xi’an
- Beijing to Guangzhou
- Beijing to Hong Kong
- Beijing to Pingyao
- Beijing to Tianjin
- Beijing to Hanoi
- Beijing to Ulaanbaatar
- Beijing to Moscow
- Shanghai to Hangzhou
- Shanghai to Xi’an
- Shanghai to Hong Kong
- Shanghai to Guangzhou
- Shanghai to Guilin
International Rail Lines
Other Popular Rail Routes from Shanghai
China Train Travel FAQs
Answer: China train tickets released 30 days before departure online. At train stations and ticket agencies, tickets go on sale 28 days in advance.
But you can book tickets with China Highlights more than 30 days ahead. Actually, it is recommended that you book tickets with us as early as possible, especially during Chinese holidays and peak periods.
More Questions about China Train Travel
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