Shanghai to Beijing Train

1,318 km · about 4h 24min · 51+ trains daily · from $45

1,318 km Distance
4h 24min Fastest Journey
51+ Daily Trains
$45 Price From (2nd Class)

About This Route

The return leg of China's premier high-speed corridor, Shanghai to Beijing offers the same 4-hour-plus journey through the Yangtze Delta and North China Plain. With 51+ daily trains, it's one of the most frequent intercity services in the world — comparable to a shuttle service.

Which Train Should You Take?

Almost all trains are G-series bullet trains running at 300–350 km/h. The earliest departs around 6:30 AM, the last around 7:30 PM. If you prefer a window seat for the scenery (flat farmland, occasional rivers), book early — window seats fill up first on popular departures.

G
G-Trains Fastest & most popular
D
D-Trains Great value
Z
Z-Trains Overnight comfort

Seat Classes

Second class handles the 4.5-hour journey comfortably. Seats recline slightly, USB charging is standard on newer trains, and the ride is smooth enough to work on a laptop. First class is worth the 50% premium if you want guaranteed quiet and extra elbow room.

Second Class
Second Class from $45
First Class
First Class from $131
Business Class
Business Class from $252
Hard Sleeper
Hard Sleeper from $40

Learn more about each seat type in our complete guide to China train seat classes.

Tips for This Route

Shanghai Hongqiao station is enormous — allow 15 minutes just to walk from the metro to your platform. If departing from Shanghai station (city center), double-check your ticket. Passport control at the gate can queue up during rush hour; have your passport ready.

Shanghai to Beijing High-Speed Trains

There are 51 daily trains between Shanghai and Beijing.

Sample high-speed train schedule from Shanghai to Beijing
TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
G532 06:31 12:18 5h 47min
G548 06:32 12:39 6h 7min
G2 06:43 11:32 4h 49min
G4 07:00 11:37 4h 37min
G550 07:22 13:21 5h 59min
G566 07:27 13:36 6h 9min
G598 07:38 13:32 5h 54min
G8 08:00 12:26 4h 26min

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 Shanghai to Beijing
TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
1462 12:15 10:46 22h 31min
T110 16:30 08:33 16h 3min
Z282 19:17 09:52 14h 35min

Want to check tomorrow's availability and exact prices?

Search Real-Time Schedules →

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 – $95
Hard Seat
$22 – $25
First Class
$131 – $157
Hard Sleeper
$40 – $43
Second Class
$45 – $95
Soft Sleeper
$64 – $67
Business Class
$252 – $347
First Class Sleeper
$85 – $103
Premium First Class
$187 – $207
Second Class Sleeper
$67 – $81

Prices are in USD, approximate and may vary by date, availability and exchange rate. Last updated: 2026-05-30.