Beijing - Shanghai Trains: High-speed Train & Overnight Train, Time, Price

Written by Sally Guo Updated May. 31, 2024

The Beijing - Shanghai Railway, also called the Jinghu Railway, is one of China's busiest and most important train routes. It starts in Beijing and goes through big cities like Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing, and Suzhou before ending in Shanghai.

Over 40 pairs of high-speed trains travel this route daily, taking around 4 to 6 hours. The fastest train takes 4 hours and 18 minutes to travel between Beijing and Shanghai, covering 1,318 kilometers.

Besides, there are 5 pairs of normal-speed overnight trains still running on this line, needing about 12 to 19 hours.

beijing-shanghai train
Beijing - Shanghai Train Route

Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Train Facts

Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Train Time

Most high-speed trains between Beijing and Shanghai are operated at Beijing South Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

Here is the timetable. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Beijing South Railway Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
Train No. Departure Arrival Duration
G103 6:20 11:58 5h 38m
G105 7:17 13:03 5h 46m
G107 7:25 13:12 5h 47m
G109 7:45 13:48 6h 3m
G111 8:16 14:11 5h 55m
G113 8:39 14:59 6h 20m
G5 9:00 13:37 4h 37m
G115 9:10 14:48 5h 38m
G117 9:20 14:55 5h 35m
G119 9:24 15:32 6h 8m
G7 10:00 14:35 4h 35m
G121 10:05 15:42 5h 37m
G123 10:14 16:26 6h 12m
G125 10:46 16:50 6h 4m
G9 11:00 15:37 4h 37m
G127 11:18 17:08 6h 3m
G129 11:27 17:38 6h 20m
G131 12:00 17:22 5h 55m
G11 12:00 16:38 4h 38m
G135 12:12 18:21 6h 9m
G137 12:47 18:56 6h 9m
G139 13:04 19:06 6h 2m
G141 13:34 19:24 5h 50m
G15 14:00 18:33 4h 33m
G143 14:08 20:07 5h 59m
G145 14:14 20:12 5h 58m
G147 14:27 20:43 6h 16m
G17 15:00 19:34 4h 34m
G149 15:08 21:10 6h 02m
G151 15:49 22:12 6h 23m
G19 16:00 20:28 4h 28m
G153 16:30 22:27 5h 57m
G157 16:53 23:13 6h 20m
G21 17:00 21:18 4h 18m
G159 17:19 23:18 5h 59m
G161 17:33 23:32 5h 59m
G25 18:04 22:58 4h 54m

Six high-speed trains will arrive at Shanghai Railway Station (city center).

Here is the timetable. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Beijing South Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station
Train No. Departure Arrival Duration
G1 7:00 11:29 4h 29m
G3 8:00 12:32 4h 32m
G133 11:49 18:02 6h 13m
G13 13:00 17:35 4h 35m
G23 18:00 22:43 4h 43m
G27 19:00 23:29 4h 29m

The schedules are subject to change without prior official notice. For real-time information, please visit China Train.

Shanghai - Beijing High-Speed Train Time

Most high-speed trains between Beijing and Shanghai are operated at Beijing South Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

Here is the timetable. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station
Train No. Departure Arrival Duration
G104 6:27 13:12 6h 45m
G102 6:37 12:38 6h 1m
G106 7:22 13:22 6h
G108 7:27 13:36 6h 9m
G110 7:38 13:32 5h 54m
G6 8:00 12:24 4h 24m
G112 8:05 14:07 6h 2m
G114 8:15 14:12 5h 57m
G8 9:00 13:27 4h 27m
G116 9:26 15:22 5h 56m
G118 9:43 15:47 6h 4m
G10 10:00 14:26 4h 26m
G122 10:34 16:29 5h 55m
G124 10:44 16:43 5h 59m
G12 11:00 15:31 4h 31m
G130 12:16 18:21 6h 5m
G132 12:21 18:25 6h 4m
G134 12:26 18:44 6h 18m
G136 12:47 18:49 6h 2m
G138 13:29 19:31 6h 2m
G140 13:34 19:42 6h 8m
G18 14:00 18:35 4h 35m
G142 14:16 20:10 5h 54m
G144 14:43 20:45 6h 2m
G20 15:00 19:36 4h 36m
G146 15:21 21:05 5h 44m
G148 15:42 21:42 6h
G22 16:00 20:37 4h 37m
G150 16:04 21:56 5h 52m
G152 16:19 22:20 6h 1m
G24 17:00 21:33 4h 33m
G154 17:11 22:49 5h 38m
G156 17:16 23:08 5h 52m
G158 17:20 23:14 5h 54m
G160 17:41 23:42 6h 1m
G162 17:46 23:51 6h 5m
G28 19:00 23:18 4h 18m

Five high-speed trains will depart from Shanghai Railway Station (city center).

Here is the timetable. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Shanghai Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station
Train No. Departure Arrival Duration
G2 7:00 11:36 4h 36m
G128 11:15 17:22 6h 7m
G14 11:53 16:38 4h 45m
G16 12:55 17:36 4h 41m
G26 17:55 22:35 4h 40m

The schedules are subject to change without prior official notice. For real-time information, please visit China Train.

Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Train Ticket Prices

Currently, several high-speed rail lines implement floating ticket prices. The prices in the table below are the published ticket prices set by China Rail without any discounts. The ticket price is subject to the discounted price at the time of purchase.

Ticket Price Second-class First-class Business-class
Adult Ticket RMB662 (US$95) RMB1060 (US$151) RMB2318 (US$331)
Child Ticket RMB331 (US$47) RMB530 (US$76) RMB1159 (US$166)

Child Ticket

Children aged 6 to under 14 can buy a child discount ticket, about half the price of an adult ticket. Children who are 14 or older need to pay full price for an adult ticket.

Each adult can bring along one child under 6 years old who doesn't need a separate seat, and they can travel for free. If there's more than one such child, extra ones should get child discount tickets.

Beijing - Shanghai Overnight Train

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Train Schedule

Overnight Beijing to Shanghai sleeper trains schedule. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration Terminals
1461 11:56 - 06:45+1 day 18h 49m Beijing Station to Shanghai Station
D7 19:22 - 07:25+1 day 12h 3m Beijing Station to Shanghai Station
D9 19:36 - 07:46+1 day 12h 10m Beijing South Station to Shanghai Station
T109 20:03 - 11:02+1 day 14h 59m Beijing Station to Shanghai Station
D5 21:21 - 09:27+1 day 12h 6m Beijing Station to Shanghai Station

Note: +1 means the train arrives the next day.

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Train Schedule

Overnight Shanghai to Beijing sleeper trains schedule. (Updated on March 31, 2024)

Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration Terminals
1462 12:15 - 10:46+1 day 22h 31m Shanghai Station to Beijing Station
T110 16:30 - 08:32+1 day 16h 2m Shanghai Station to Beijing Station
D8 19:08 - 07:14+1 day 12h 6m Shanghai Station to Beijing Station
D6 21:15 - 09:26+1 day 12h 11m Shanghai Station to Beijing Station
D10 21:21 - 09:24+1 day 12h 3m Shanghai Station to Beijing South Station

Note: +1 means the train arrives the next day.

Beijing - Shanghai Overnight Train Ticket Price

  Soft Sleeper Hard Sleeper Hard Seat
Normal Train RMB476.5 (USD68) RMB304.5 (USD44) RMB156.5 (USD22)
T-Train RMB497.5 (USD71) RMB325.5 (USD47) RMB177.5 (USD25)
D-Train RMB971 (USD139) RMB790 (USD113) RMB451 (USD65)

Beijing - Shanghai Train Types

Generally, four types of trains are running between Beijing and Shanghai: G trains, D trains, T trains, and normal trains. 

All these train types offer different levels of comfort, speed, and ticket pricing, providing options that cater to different traveler's needs and budgets.

G Trains

G trains, also known as High-Speed Trains, are the fastest in China's rail network, reaching up to 350 km/h. The G train journey from Beijing to Shanghai typically takes about 4 to 6 hours.

D Trains

D trains, or "Electric Multiple Units" (EMU), are fast trains that operate at slightly lower speeds than G trains, usually around 250 km/h. They still offer a reasonably fast and comfortable journey, with the trip between Beijing and Shanghai usually taking around 12 hours.

T Trains

T trains, known as Express Trains, were previously the fastest trains in China before introducing G and D train models. They travel at speeds of about 140 km/h. The journey from Beijing to Shanghai on a T train takes about 15 to 16 hours.

Normal Trains

Regular trains, often called "Regular-speed" trains, are the slowest type, traveling at a speed of around 100-120 km/h. They provide a cost-effective option for travelers on a tight budget, with a journey time from Beijing to Shanghai of approximately 19 to 22 hours.

Beijing to Shanghai, by Train or Plane?

Choosing a flight could be more suitable for those who prioritize time efficiency and can accept a higher cost. However, you may need to consider potential occasional delays.

High-speed train travel may be a better fit for travelers valuing cost-effectiveness and punctuality.

  High-speed Train Flight
Tickets Price RMB662 (USD95) for second class;
RMB1060 (USD151) for first class
RMB2150 (USD307) for economic class
Duration 4.5-6 hours 2-2.5 hours
Total Travel Time 7-8 hours 6 hours
Punctuality Typically punctual May have occasional delays
Frequency Over 40 trains per day Over 60 flights per day
Beijing to Shanghai by train or flight

How to Book Beijing - Shanghai Train Tickets

There are three main ways you can book train tickets from Beijing to Shanghai:

Book Train Tickets with us (Highly Recommended)

China Travel Train Booking offers 24/7 English-speaking personalized service for all your booking needs. This allows individual attention and flexibility to handle emergency changes and customize solutions to meet your unique requirements.

Our team endeavors to make your train travel smooth!

Book Train Tickets through China Rail Official Website

You can consider using the 12306 China Rail official website to save the service fee charged by travel agencies. However, handling ticket changes or cancellations on your own may require significant effort.

Note: The official 12306.cn website offers ticket sales services only between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM. However, the ticket search function remains accessible 24/7.

Book Train Tickets at Train Stations

Another option is to buy tickets directly at the train station ticket windows. Nevertheless, this method requires lining up and can pose a considerable challenge, as the train station staff may not speak English.

History of Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Railway

The idea for the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway emerged in the early 1990s due to overcrowding on the Beijing-Shanghai Railway. Construction began in 2008 and finished in 2011, shortening the travel time between Beijing and Shanghai from 15 to just 5 hours!

Through years of innovation, the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway now reaches a speed of 300 km/h. In 2017, China Rail introduced the Fuxing Train on this route, which can reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h.

Shanghai Hongqiao railway station
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

FAQs on Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Trains

How long does it take to get from Beijing to Shanghai by high-speed train?

The journey between Beijing and Shanghai by high-speed train typically takes 4.5 to 6 hours

The fastest high-speed train, the Fuxing (G21/28), can journey in just 4 hours and 18 minutes!

How much is the bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing?

The ticket price for a bullet train trip between Shanghai and Beijing varies depending on the seat class.

Second-class First-class Business-class
RMB662 (USD95) RMB1060 (USD151) RMB2318 (USD331)

How fast is a Beijing to Shanghai high-speed train?

The Beijing - Shanghai high-speed trains, particularly the Fuxing series, can reach top speeds of around 350 km/h (217 mph).

The average speed of the EMU trains is approximately 250 km/h (155 mph).

More Rail Lines from Beijing:

More Rail Lines from Shanghai:

You Might Like to Read

Create My Trip

Need Help?

Request a custom itinerary today and get one step closer to your personalized trip

Create Your Trip