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
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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
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
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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.
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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
→ 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.


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How to Travel between Shanghai and Ningbo |
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Best Way: Shanghai – Ningbo High Speed Train – 1.5-3 hours, CNY94.5 - 144



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



CNY50.5 per hard seat, CNY95-100 per hard sleeper, CNY145-150 per soft sleeper
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Fastest Way: Shanghai – Ningbo Flight - 55 minutes, CNY 700 (usually 70% off)



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 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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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
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:
→ 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 04:57
Reply

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
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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 07:38
Reply

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