How to Travel between Shanghai and Ningbo

The distance from Shanghai to Ningbo by road is about 220km (137mi). The main modes of transportation are flight, train and long-distance bus. High speed trains take 1.5-3 hours and the fare is CNY94.5-144, while the journey’s duration by normal trains is 4.5-5 hours. Only one return-trip flight is available daily between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Ningbo Airport and a single trip takes no more than one hour. Shanghai – Ningbo buses take 3-3.5 hours and cost CNY95-105.

 Joining a guided tour is the most convenient way for tourists to travel between the two cities:
  7 Days Hangzhou – Ningbo – Putuo – Shanghai

Shanghai - Ningbo Transportation
How to Travel between Shanghai and Ningbo

1

 Best Way: Shanghai – Ningbo High Speed Train – 1.5-3 hours, CNY94.5 - 144


 From Shanghai: Hongqiao Railway Station: 50 trains during 06:01 – 20:35; Shanghai Railway Station: 19:35 on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 

 From Ningbo Railway Station: 06:25 – 21:27 


 Price:
D type trains: CNY94.5 - 110 for a second class seat, CNY176 for a first class seat
G type trains: CNY144 for a second class seat, CNY237 for a first class seat, CNY444 for a business class seat
 

Economy Alternative: Ordinary Train – 4.5-5 hours, CNY50

 From Shanghai South Railway Station: 05:02, 06:21 

 From Ningbo Railway Station: 15:43, 17:52 
 

 Price:
CNY50.5 per hard seat, CNY95-100 per hard sleeper, CNY145-150 per soft sleeper

 

2

 Fastest Way: Shanghai – Ningbo Flight - 55 minutes, CNY 700 (usually 70% off)


 From Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG): 22:00 – 22:20 

 From Ningbo Lishe Airport (NGB): 07:00 – 07:25 

 Note: The full air ticket fare is CNY 700, but this is frequently discounted. Other than for the Spring Festival rush in January or February, the summer vacation in July and August, and Chinese public holidays, if you book early, there is usually a discount of up to 70%, and the price might be as low as CNY200.

 

Shanghai – Ningbo Train vs. Flight

High Speed Train  Normal Train Flight
Price second class seat: CNY94.5-144  hard seat: CNY50.5 full fare: CNY 700; high season: CNY 450-650; low season: CNY 150-200
Time  1.5-3 hours  4.5-5 hours  55 minutes
Punctuality punctual  occasional delays  frequent delays
Facilities  good, enough legroom  moderate, some poor  fair; narrower legroom
Electronic Devices  allowed to use  allowed to use  allowed to use with some limitation
Departures Frequency   50+ per day 2 per day  only one direct flight a day
Priority     
 

3

 Long-distance Bus – 3-3.5 hours, CNY95-105

 

Shanghai to Ningbo Bus:

Intercity Bus Terminal 07:50, 09:40, 10:20, 11:35, 12:35, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 17:50
South Long-distance Bus Station 06:25 - 20:05, every 25-30 minutes
Pudong East Long-distance Bus Station 07:55, 11:20, 13:49
Hutai Road Bus Station 07:25, 14:15
Hongqiao West Long-distance Bus Station 12:15, 13:15, 14:50, 16:15
 

Ningbo to Shanghai Bus:

From   To Schedules
Ningbo South Bus Station  Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station 06:00 – 20:00, every 30-50 minutes
Shanghai Intercity Bus Terminal 07:30, 08:45, 09:50, 13:15, 17:00, 17:30
 
 

How to Travel from Shanghai Airports to Ningbo

 

Pudong Airport → Ningbo

1. A daily flight is available lasting around 22:00: 55 minutes, CNY700 with frequent discounts

2. Pudong Airport to Ningbo by train: 2.5-4.5 hours, CNY102.5 - 174
→ Take airport shuttle bus line 1 or metro line 2 to Hongqiao Railway Station. Shuttle bus: 1 hour, CNY30; metro: 1.5 hours, CNY8
→ Board a high speed train to Ningbo: 1.5-3 hours, CNY94.5-144

3. Pudong Airport to Ningbo by bus: 4-5 hours, CNY125
→ Take airport shuttle bus line 7 to Shanghai South Railway Station: 70 minutes, CNY20
→ Walk 3 minutes to the South Long-distance Bus Station
→ Catch a long-distance bus to Ningbo: 3-3.5 hours, CNY105
 

Hongqiao Airport → Ningbo:

→ Walk from T2 or take metro line 10 from T1 to get to Hongqiao Railway Station within 10 minutes.
→ Take a high speed train to arrive in 1.5-3 hours.
- Last updated on Apr. 07, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on How to Travel between Shanghai and Ningbo
Asked by Loulou from UNITED KINGDOM | Jun. 06, 2019 04:57Reply
How to get to Shanghai Pudong Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station?
ultimately want to end up in Ningbo
Answers (1)
Answered by Kelly from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 11, 2019 23:30
00Reply


You can take Shuttle Bus Line 1 directly from the airport to the station. It takes about 70 mins and costs CNY34 per person.
Asked by Amy | Mar. 30, 2018 07:38Reply
Is there any transportation between Pudong Airport to South Long-Distance Bus Station?
Answers (1)
Answered by Donna from USA | Apr. 01, 2018 20:42
00Reply


Yes, shuttle bus line 7 goes to the South Train Station beside the south bus station.
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