How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai

The distance from Beijing to Shanghai by train is 1,318 kilometers, and by flight, it's 1,100 kilometers. The fastest bullet train takes just 4 hours and 18 minutes, whereas flying typically takes around 2.5 hours.

How to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, whether by train or flight, depends on your priorities. 

1. By flight: Flying is ideal if you're in a rush. Most business travelers opt to take a flight.

2. By bullet train: The best way to travel from Beijing to Xi'an is by high-speed train. It is the most comfortable and cost-effective option, and most tourists prefer to take the train.

3. By overnight train: If you're on a tight budget, consider the overnight sleeper train to save on ticket costs and a night's accommodation.

Beijing to Shanghai Map

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai by Train or Flight?

Travel Duration Comparison

Flight: The flight from Beijing to Shanghai takes approximately 2.5 hours, making it the fastest option.

However, you might have to spend extra time getting to and from the airports, often outside the city center. Additionally, you must arrive at the airport 2 hours early for check-in and go through thorough security procedures.

Train: Depending on the type of train, the travel duration on a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai ranges from 4.5 to 6 hours, while normal-speed trains take around 12 to 20 hours.

Train stations are closer to the city center than airports, so you'll spend less time getting there. Also, security checks are usually quicker than at airports. Typically, arriving at the station 40 to 60 minutes before departure is enough.

Cost Comparison

Taking the train from Beijing to Shanghai is more affordable than flying, offering a budget-friendly option for travelers.

Flight tickets are significantly more expensive during peak seasons than train tickets. A flight ticket from Beijing to Shanghai costs RMB 2150 (USD 307) for full-fare economy class, while a high-speed train ticket only costs RMB 922.5 (USD 132) for the first-class seat.

However, airfares fluctuate wildly, with 20% to 60% discounts available during off-peak seasons.

Comfort Comparison

Airplane seats are narrower than the seating on high-speed trains (first-class seats). While taking the train, you can move around within the carriage, allowing you to stretch your legs and walk around during the journey. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the window along the way.

Beijing to Shanghai by Train

Two types of trains operate between Beijing and Shanghai: high-speed trains, which are fast, clean, and modern, and ordinary trains, which are slower, lower quality, and exceptionally budget-friendly.

Beijing to Shanghai by High-speed Train (the Best Way)

• Distance: 1,318 kilometers (818 miles)
• Shortest Duration: 4 hours and 18 minutes
• Terminals: Beijing South Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station
• Number of Trains: 43 pairs of daytime G-trains
• Ticket Prices: CNY 662 for the second class, CNY 1,060 for the first class

Taking a bullet train is the most recommended and popular way to travel between Beijing and Shanghai. It travels at an average speed of 300kph and is always on time, making your trip fast and smooth.

About 40 bullet trains depart from Beijing South Railway Station and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station daily, taking around 4.5 to 6 hours. The fastest train takes 4 hours and 18 minutes.

Go to China Train to book a bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai.

Beijing to Shanghai by Overnight Sleeper Train (the Cheapest Way)

• Shortest duration: 12 hours 3 minutes
• Terminals: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Station, Shanghai Railway Station
• Number of trains: 5 pairs of overnight trains
• Ticket Prices: from CNY 476.5 to CNY 971 for the soft sleeper

An overnight sleeper train is ideal if you're on a tight budget but still seeking a relatively comfortable journey. It's the cheapest but also the most time-consuming way to travel from Beijing to Shanghai.

Read more detailed information on Beijing - Shanghai Trains.

Beijing to Shanghai by Flight - the Easiest Way

• Shortest duration: 1 hour and 55 minutes
• Terminals: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
• Number of Flights: over 50 pairs of direct flights
• Ticket Prices: from CNY 800 to CNY 2,150 for the economic class

Flying directly from Beijing to Shanghai is the quickest option. The flight typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours, and depending on the day of travel, prices range from CNY 800 to CNY 2,150.

Subway and airport shuttle buses are available for convenient transportation between airports and the downtown area. If you prefer a hassle-free experience, contact us, and we can arrange a private car with an experienced local driver for your journey.

144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing and Shanghai

Both Beijing and Shanghai have a 144-hour visa-free transit policy, but they belong to different visa-free regions.

When enjoying visa-free transit in Beijing, you can visit surrounding areas such as Tianjin and Hebei, but cannot travel to Shanghai. Similarly, if you enter China through Shanghai's 144-hour visa-free transit policy, you cannot travel to Beijing.

For more details about this visa-free transit policy please read:

• 144-hour Visa-Free Transit in Beijing
• 144-hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai

Travel Beijing and Shanghai with Us

Would it bother you to search and book the transportation and hotel on your own? Do you need tips on perfectly arranging your Beijing-Shanghai trip within your scheduled time and budget? Do you know how to escape from the crowds? Our travel experts are waiting to customize a fun-packed journey just for you!

Maybe our Beijing and Shanghai Bullet Train Journey will inspire you:

• Explore the secrets of Chinese emperors at the Forbidden City;
• Climb up to Mutianyu Great Wall to get great views;
• Get panoramic views of the bund on the Shanghai Tower;
• Take a boat ride to an ancient water town near Shanghai.

You Might Like to Read

• Beijing Travel Guide
• Shanghai Travel Guide
• Beijing - Shanghai Trains