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 160 trains each day. The 2nd class seat costs CNY65-77.5. Normal speed train requires 2-3h and CNY28.5 for Hard Seat. Long-distance buses are also available and some leave from the airports, or People's Square for passengers' convenience.
Joining a guided tour is the most convenient way for tourists to travel between the two cities:
Joining a guided tour is the most convenient way for tourists to travel between the two cities:
2 Days Hangzhou Tour from Shanghai from $319
Private Hangzhou Day Tours from $109
1. Fastest Way: Shanghai to Hangzhou High Speed Train: 45min - 1.5h; CNY65-77.5 for 2nd Class Seat
| Number of Trains | Over 160 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY65-77.5 for Second Class Seat CNY104-123.5 for First Class Seat CNY219.5-233.5 For Business Class Seat |
| Duration | 45min - 1.5h |
| Departure time | 5:44 - 21:29 |
| Frequency | 3-10 trains every hour from 6:00 - 21:00 |
| Dep. - Arr. | Hongqiao Railway Station, South Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station to Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station, and Hangzhou East Railway Station |
See more details about Shanghai – Hangzhou High Speed Train
2. Cost-Effective Normal Speed Train: 2-3h, CNY28.5 for Hard Seat
| Number of Trains | Over 40 |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price | CNY28.5 for Hard Seat |
| Duration | 2-3h |
| Departure time | 4:30 - 20:50 |
| Frequency | roughly 2-5 trains per hour |
| Dep. - Arr. | South Railway Station to Hangzhou Railway Station, Hangzhou South Railway Station |
3. Shanghai to Hangzhou Long-distance Bus: 2.5-4h, CNY80-130
| Dep. - Arr. | Dep. Time | Duration | Fare (CNY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hongqiao West Long-distance Bus Station - Hangzhou Coach Center | 16:35 | 2.5-3h | 80 |
| South Long-distance Bus Station - Hangzhou | 8:52, 13:52, 15:05 | 2.5h | 80 |
| Pudong Airport Long-distance Bus Station - Hangzhou | 9:00, 11:00, 12:30, 13:50, 15:30, 17:00, 18:20, 19:50 | 3h | 130 |
| Shanghai People's Square - Hangzhou Railway Station | 8:25, 9:20, 13:05, 14:50 | 4h | 80 |
| Hutai Rd. Bus Station - Hangzhou Coach Center | 7:50 | 2.5h | 90 |
| Jinjiang Action Park - Hangzhou Railway Station | 8:55, 9:50, 13:35, 15:20 | 4h | 80 |
| Shanghai Inter-City Bus Terminal - Hangzhou | 14:15 | 3h | 85 |
How to Travel from Shanghai to West Lake: Train + Metro: 1.5-3.5h, CNY30-90
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: 4h, CNY55
From Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station, four buses depart at 9:17, 10:17, 14:12, and 15:17 to Xizha Area, Wuzhen Water Town, taking about 4 hours and cost CNY55.
→ High Speed Train + City Bus: 3h, CNY45-54.5 at least
First, tourists may take a high speed train to Tongxiang Railway Station, costing less than 1h and CNY41-50.5 for 2nd class seat. Then, transfer to city bus K282, transfer to K347 at Yaotai Line Zhennan Crossing and get off Xizha South Gate, taking nearly two hours and CNY4.
2. To Xitang Water Town
→ Direct Bus: 1.5h, CNY50
| Dep. Point | Dep. Time | Duration | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai People's Square | 07:00, 8:25, 9:20, 13:05, 14:50 | 1.5h | CNY50 |
| Jinjiang Action Park | 08:55, 9:50, 13:35, 15:20 | ||
| Hongqiao Railway Station | 7:40, 10:40, 11:50 |
→ High Speed Train + City Bus: about 2h, CNY27-31.5
Take high speed train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Jiashan South Railway Station. It takes 30min and CNY25-29.5 for 2nd Class Seat. Then, take the city bus Jiashan 222 to get to Xitang Water Town in 80 minutes at the cost of CNY2.
3. To Nanxun Water Town: Direct Bus: 3.5h, CNY60
| Dep. Point | Dep. Time | Duration | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Inter-city Bus Terminal | 7:20, 7:55, 8:35 | 3.5h | CNY60 |
| Shanghai People's Square | 8:00, 8:25, 9:20 | ||
| Jinjiang Action Park | 8:55, 9:50 |
- Last updated on Aug. 28, 2023 by Catherine He -