Beijing to Shanghai Train

2 km · 4h 18min · 53+ trains daily · from $45

2 km Distance
4h 18min Fastest Journey
53+ Daily Trains
$45 Price From (2nd Class)

About This Route

The Beijing–Shanghai line is one of the busiest rail corridors connecting these two cities. With 53+ trains running daily, you'll rarely have trouble finding a seat — though booking a day or two ahead is still a good idea during holidays.

Which Train Should You Take?

Most travelers pick a G-train (high-speed, up to 350 km/h). They're comfortable, punctual, and the stations are modern. If you're on a budget, D-trains are slightly slower but cheaper. For overnight journeys, Z-trains have sleeper berths — you save a hotel night.

Seat Classes

High-speed trains offer second class (5 seats per row, perfectly fine for most journeys), first class (4 seats per row, more legroom), and business class (fully reclining, premium price). For this route, second class is what most people book — it's clean, quiet, and has power outlets. Prices start from $45.

Tips for This Route

  • Book 3–5 days ahead during Chinese holidays (Spring Festival, National Day, Dragon Boat).
  • Beijing may have multiple stations — make sure you go to the right one. The ticket shows the exact station name.
  • Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Security + ticket check takes time.
  • Bring your passport — you'll need it to enter the station and board.
  • The fastest train takes about 4h 18min.

Beijing to Shanghai High-Speed Trains

There are 53 daily trains between Beijing and Shanghai. The fastest high-speed train (G547) departs at 06:18 and takes 5h 53min.

Sample high-speed train schedule from Beijing to Shanghai
TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
G547 06:18 12:11 5h 53min
G1 06:30 11:24 4h 54min
G3 06:52 11:33 4h 41min
G565 07:07 13:12 6h 5min
G549 07:13 13:03 5h 50min
G5 07:42 12:32 4h 50min
G597 07:42 13:49 6h 7min
G37 07:52 12:35 4h 43min

Schedules are for reference only. Search real-time availability →

Regular Trains

Slower but cheaper options including K-trains and T-trains with sleeper berths available for overnight travel.

Sample regular train schedule from Beijing to Shanghai
TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
1461 11:59 06:45 18h 46min
Z281 19:21 08:44 13h 23min
T109 20:04 11:02 14h 58min

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Ticket Prices (USD)

Prices vary by train type and seat class. Second class on high-speed trains offers the best value for most travelers.

Standing
$22 – $94
Hard Seat
$22 – $25
First Class
$136 – $154
Hard Sleeper
$40 – $43
Second Class
$45 – $95
Soft Sleeper
$64 – $67
Business Class
$264 – $332
First Class Sleeper
$85 – $103
Premium First Class
$188 – $207
Second Class Sleeper
$67 – $81

Prices are approximate and may vary by date and availability. Last updated: 2026-05-14.

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