Best Way to Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou

The distance between Shanghai and Hangzhou is about 160km (100mi), too short to have direct flight. High speed train is considered the best way to travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou, given the short duration of 1h and high frequency of more than 150 trains each day. The 2nd class seat costs CNY59-88. Normal speed train requires 2 to 2.5h and CNY24.5-28.5 for Hard Seat. Long-distance buses are also available and some leave from airport, Disneyland Park or the Bund for passengers’ convenience.

 Joining a guided tour is the most convenient way for tourists to travel between the two cities:

 5 Days Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou Tour

 8 Days Shanghai - Hangzhou - Suzhou - Wuxi - Nanjing Tour

 

1. Best Way: Shanghai to Hangzhou High Speed Train: 1h, CNY59-88 for 2nd Class Seat

High speed train is the fastest and best way to travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou. More than 150 high speed trains are available every day. From 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., G-type or D-type train sets off nearly every five to ten minutes. Tourists may choose to leave either from Hongqiao Railway Station, South Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station. Three arrival stations include Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station, and Hangzhou East Railway Station.

 Ticket Fare:
2nd Class Seat: CNY59-88; 1st Class Seat: CNY94-132.5; Business Class Seat: CNY219.5-248.5

See more details about Shanghai – Hangzhou High Speed Train
 

2. Alternative Way: Normal Speed Train: 2-2.5h, CNY24.5-28.5 for Hard Seat

There are over 40 normal speed trains running from Shanghai to Hangzhou every day. On average, two or three trains depart hourly from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tourists could leave from Shanghai South Railway Station and reach either Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station or Hangzhou East Railway Station.

 Ticket Fare:
Hard Seat: CNY24.5-28.5; Hard Sleeper: CNY78.5-82.5; Soft Sleeper: CNY114.5-119.5
 

3. Shanghai to Hangzhou Long-distance Bus: 2-4.5h, CNY70-240

Dep. Point (Shanghai) Arr. Point (Hangzhou) Dep. Time Duration Ticket Price
General Bus Station Hangzhou Railway Station 12:35, 14:20 4-4.5h CNY70
East Railway Station
South Bus Station Hangzhou Bay New District 08:03, 11:33, 14:13, 17:59 2h CNY90
Hangzhou 09:23, 11:45, 13:53, 17:15 2.5h CNY80
Shanghai Railway Station Hangzhou Railway Station 08:05, 08:45, 12:45, 14:30 4-4.5h CNY70
East Railway Station
Hongqiao Railway Station East Railway Station 22:30, 23:30 2h CNY115-240
Pudong Airport Hangzhou Railway Station 08:30, 10:00, 11:40, 14:00,
16:00, 16:30, 17:30, 19:00,
20:30, 22:00, 22:30
3-3.5h CNY240
Wulin Square
Future Technology City 16:30, 17:30 4.5h
Hongqiao Airport Hangzhou Railway Station 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00,
16:00, 18:00, 20:40, 21:00,
21:20, 21:40, 22:00, 22:20,
22:40, 23:00, 23:40
3h CNY240
East Railway Station
Wulin Square
West Lake Culture Square
People's Square Hangzhou Railway Station 08:25, 09:20, 13:05, 14:50 4h CNY70
East Railway Station
The Bund East Railway Station 22:00, 23:00 3h CNY240
Disneyland Park Hangzhou Railway Station 00:00, 09:00, 10:30, 12:10,
14:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00,
18:00, 19:30, 21:00, 22:30
3-3.5h CNY240
East Railway Station
Wulin Square
Future Technology City 16:00, 17:00 4.5h
Jinjiang Action Park Hangzhou Railway Station 08:55, 09:50, 13:35, 15:20 4h CNY70
East Railway Station
 

4. Taxi: 2-2.5h, CNY700-1,000

Taxi is recommended to people with sufficient budget or who want a quieter travel environment. Exact price may vary based on your pick-up point and destination. It is popular and convenient to hail a taxi online. Or, you may ask hotel attendant to help you.
 


 

How to Travel from Shanghai to West Lake: Train + Metro: 1.5-3.5h, CNY30-90 at least

First, you may get to Hangzhou either by high speed train or normal speed train. Next, according to your arrival railway station, you may transfer to metro line as shown below. 

→ From Hangzhou Railway Station

Take metro Line 1 (bound for Linping) and get off at the Exit F, Fengqi Rd. stop. Then, you may walk southwest for 600m (660yd). This way requires 30min and CNY2.
 

→ From Hangzhou South Railway Station

Take metro Line 5 (bound for Jinxing) first. Next, you may either transfer to metro Line 2 (bound for Liangzhu) at the People’s Square stop, or to Line 1 (bound for Linping) at the Binkang Rd. stop. Whichever you choose, get off at the Exit F, Fengqi Rd. stop, and then walk southwest for 600m (660yd). Either of the way requires 1h and CNY6.
 

→ From Hangzhou East Railway Station

Take metro Line 1 (bound for Xianghu) and get off at the Exit F, Fengqi Rd. stop. It requires 30min and CNY3.
 
 

How to Travel from Shanghai to Water Towns near Hangzhou

1. To Wuzhen Water Town

→ Direct Bus: 2-3h, CNY53-240

Dep. Point Arr. Point Dep. Time Duration Ticket Price
Shanghai Railway Station Xizha Area 08:05, 08:45, 09:35, 12:45, 14:30 3h CNY53
Hongqiao Railway Station 10:40
General Bus Station 07:55, 08:35, 09:25, 12:35, 14:20
Jinjiang Action Park 08:55, 09:50, 13:35, 15:20
People's Square 08:25, 09:20, 09:50, 13:05, 14:50
Hongqiao Airport 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00,
18:00, 20:40, 21:00, 21:20, 21:40,
22:00, 22:20, 22:40, 23:00, 23:40
2h CNY240
Disneyland Park 00:00, 09:00, 10:30, 12:10,
14:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00,
18:00, 19:30, 21:00, 22:30
South Bus Station Wuzhen 08:13, 09:13, 11:13, 12:03,
13:13, 14:13, 16:13, 17:03
2h CNY55
Pudong Airport Dongzha Area 16:30, 17:30 2h CNY240
 

→ High Speed Train + City Bus: 2.5h, CNY52.5 at least

First, tourists may take a high speed train to Tongxiang Railway Station, costing less than 1h and CNY50.5 for 2nd class seat. Then, transfer to city bus No.281 or K281 and get off at the Yangyuanqiao stop near Dongzha area. Bus ride needs 1.5h and CNY2.
 

→ Direct Bus: 1.5-2.5h, CNY34-41

Dep. Point Dep. Time Duration Ticket Price
General Bus Station 09:00, 10:20, 11:10, 14:40, 17:35 1.5-2.5h CNY41
South Bus Station 08:25, 10:25, 11:45, 14:10, 17:30 1.5h CNY36
Hongqiao West Bus Station 10:00, 15:30 2h CNY34
 

→ High Speed Train + Shuttle Bus: about 1.5h, CNY40

Take high speed train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Jiashan South Railway Station. It takes 30min and CNY29.5 for 2nd Class Seat. Then, take shuttle bus to get to Xitang Water Town in 1h at the cost of CNY8.
 

3. To Nanxun Water Town: Direct Bus: 1.5-2.5h, CNY52

Dep. Point Dep. Time Duration Ticket Price
General Bus Station 07:00, 08:40, 10:20, 11:50,
13:50, 15:20, 17:30
1.5h CNY52
South Bus Station 06:59, 08:05, 09:19, 10:35, 11:19,
13:39, 14:59, 17:23, 18:19
2h
Hutai Road Bus Station 06:35, 07:20, 09:55, 17:20 1.5h
Hongqiao West Bus Station 07:10, 08:20, 09:30, 10:40,
11:20, 12:20, 13:10, 14:11,
15:20, 17:11, 18:16, 19:10
2h
Pudong East Bus Station 07:20, 08:30, 10:50 2.5h
- Last updated on Jan. 13, 2021 -
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