How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing

The distance between Shanghai and Beijing is about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles). Four ways of transportation are in service:

1. High speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing are the most popular and recommended way. The whole journey takes around 4.5 - 6.5 hours and CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93).

2. Passengers can also choose to take flights from Shanghai to Beijing with the duration of 2 - 2.5 hours, which is the fastest but the most expensive way.

3. Overnight sleeper trains, taking around 12 - 22.5 hours, are an economy choice for passengers with a tight budget.

4. Long-distance buses with relatively long duration are not very recommended for limit facilities and narrow space inside. 

How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
 

1. Popular and Best Way – Shanghai - Beijing High Speed Train: 4.5 - 6.5 hours, CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93)

 From Shanghai/ Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: Around 40 departures in total: departure time from 06:37 to 21:21; duration from 4H18M to 6H18M.

 Ticket Price: CNY 553 - 667 (USD 77 - 93) for a second class seat, CNY 930 - 1,067 (USD 129 - 148) for a first class seat, CNY 1,873 - 2,331
(USD 260 - 324) for a business class seat.

Taking high speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing is a very popular way for passengers. As one of “China's four great new inventions”, high speed train is fast, safe, and well-equipped as airplanes. Visitors to China should not miss a ride on it. For the Shanghai to Beijing travel, it is easier and time-saving to get on board a train than the plane. Moreover, the cost of high speed train is lower.
 

2. Fastest Way - Shanghai - Beijing Flight: 2 - 2.5 hours, Around CNY 2,150 ( usually 20% - 70% off)

 From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)/ Hongqiao Internatinal Airport (SHA): Over 60 departures from 07:00 to 22:00.

 Ticket Price: Around CNY 2,150 (USD 300) for full-fare economy class.

Usually, the flights tickets have a 20% - 70% off discount in low season from November to Next March and a 20% - 40% off discount in high season from April to October. There is no discount for air ticket in public holiday normally. Compared with other transportation ways, it is the most expensive most of the time.

To save money, passengers can buy cheap Shanghai - Beijing flights from low cost airlines, like Spring Airlines. However, please note that these low cost airlines usually have small luggage allowance and high charges for excess luggage.
 

3. Economy Way - Shanghai - Beijing Overnight Sleeper Train: 12 - 22.5 hours, CNY 322.5 - 610 (USD 45 - 85)

 From Shanghai Railway Station:
1462: 12:15 - 10:46+; T110: 16:30 - 08:32+; D702: 19:08 - 07:14+; D706: 21:15 - 09:26+; D710: 21:21 09:24+

 Ticket Price:
T/1462 Trains: CNY  495.5 - 516.5 (USD 69 - 72) for a soft sleeper, CNY 322.5 - 345.5 (USD 45 - 48) for a hard sleeper
D Trains: CNY 670 - 773 (USD 93 - 107) for a soft sleeper, CNY 528 - 610 (USD 73 - 85) for a hard sleeper

Note: “+” means the second day.

Saving one-night hotel cost, it is an economy choice for budget passengers to take overnight trains travelling from Shanghai to Beijing. A sleeper is greatly recommended, otherwise the long journey will make you dog-tired. By the way, passengers had better purchase sleeper tickets in advance as the tickets are always in a great demand.
 

4. Shanghai - Beijing Long-distance Bus: Around 14 hours, CNY 286 - 311 (USD 40 - 43)

 From Shanghai Long-distance Bus Station: 8:00 / 16:00 / 17:30

 Price: CNY 286 - 311 (USD 40 - 43)

Passengers are not very recommended to take long-dstance buses from Shanghai to Beijing because of the limit facilities and space inside. Also, the overall travel time is long.


Further Reading:
How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai
Beijing - Shanghai Train VS. Plane
Cheapest Way to Travel between Beijing and Shanghai
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Wangfujing
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Capital Airport
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square

- Last updated on Dec. 25, 2023 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
Asked by Alvin from SINGAPORE | Dec. 23, 2023 02:22Reply
Fastest train from Shanghai to Beijing
Hi, we would like to know the best and fastest way to get to Beijing from Shanghai?
Also where can we board the train? Which train station and location ?
Can we buy the train tickets at the station or we have to buy online?
Also how much does the train ticket cost per adult (Senior)?
Answers (1)
Answered by Gloria | Dec. 25, 2023 00:23
00Reply


The fastest trains from Shanghai to Beijing depart from Shanghai Railway Station or Shanghai Hongqiao Station. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach Beijing and costs CNY 660-670 for a second-class seat.

It is better to book online in advance in case of tickets selling out on the same day.
Asked by Francis | Apr. 28, 2020 17:33Reply
Hello, TravelChinaGuide, thank you for information online for ticket booking.
I am wondering if you can also help me to check if I should use train to Shanghai Hongqiao Station or Shanghai Station. Do you mean which one is a better option if I am going to Yew Chung International Schedule? Thank you in advance.
Answers (1)
Answered by TravelChinaGUide | Apr. 29, 2020 18:57
00Reply


Thank you for your inquiry.

If you refer to the campus at No. 11-15 Shuicheng Street, Hongqiao Railway Station is definitely the best option. You can use metro line 10 to reach Shuicheng Street in 20min to get there. Wish this information can help you. Please feel free to contact us if further information needed.
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