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Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Trains

Beijing - Shanghai High-Speed Trains

Written by AppleUpdated Sep. 30, 2021

The railway between Beijing and Shanghai, also called Jinghu Railway (京沪铁路), is one of the busiest, most important and popular rail lines in China. It departs from Beijing, passes through major cities Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing and Suzhou, and arrives at Shanghai. After the high-speed service on this railway began, the train travel time between Beijing and Shanghai has been greatly shortened. The fastest train from Beijing to Shanghai takes less than 4.5 hours to finish 1,318 kilometers.

There are 42 pairs of high-speed trains running between Beijing and Shanghai, with G-category trains operating during the daytime and D-category trains running at night.

Brief Introduction of Beijing – Shanghai Bullet Trains

Beijing to Shanghai Daytime High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Beijing South Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Station
Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
G1 09:00 13:28 4 h 28 min
G7 10:00 14:28 4 h 28 min
G9 12:00 16:36 4 h 36 min
G3 14:00 18:28 4 h 28 min
G11 15:00 19:28 4 h 28 min
G13 17:00 21:36 4 h 36 min
Beijing South Station to Shanghai Station
Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
G5 07:00 11:40 4 h 40 min
G21 19:08 23:40 4 h 32 min

Trains listed in the table are the fastest ones from Beijing to Shanghai. There are 40 daytime bullet trains in total running between these two cities, departing from 06:43 to 19:08. The timetable above is only for your reference. If you want up-to-date schedules, please use the search tool at the top of this page, or search on China Train Ticket Service.

Shanghai to Beijing Daytime High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Beijing South Station
Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
G8 08:00 12:24 4 h 24 min
G2 09:00 13:28 4 h 28 min
G10 10:00 14:28 4 h 28 min
G4 14:00 18:28 4 h 28 min
G14 15:00 19:36 4 h 36 min
Shanghai Station to Beijing South Station
Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
G6 07:00 11:38 4 h 38 min
G12 12:00 16:38 4 h 38 min

Trains listed in the table are the fastest ones from Shanghai to Beijing. There are 40 daytime bullet trains in total running between these two cities, departing from 06:26 to 19:00. Shanghai to Beijing bullet train's up-to-date schedules.

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
D701 19:22 from Beijing Railway Station 07:26 next day at Shanghai Railway Station 12 h 4 min
D707 19:36 from Beijing South Railway Station 07:41 next day at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station 12 h 5 min
D709 19:46 from Beijing South Railway Station 07:46 next day at Shanghai Railway Station 12 h
D705 21:21 from Beijing Railway Station 09:20 next day at Shanghai Railway Station 11 h 59 min
hexiehao high-speed train"Hexiehao" high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing

Please note: These 4 overnight bullet trains operate at different train stations:

1. Train D709 terminates at Beijing South and Shanghai railway stations. Beijing South Station is a long way from the city center.

2. Trains D701 and D705 terminate at centrally located Beijing and Shanghai railway stations.

3. Train D707 terminate at Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao railway station, which are both far away from the city centers.

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
D702 19:09 from Shanghai Railway Station 07:12 next day at Beijing Railway Station 12 h 3 min
D708 19:17 from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station 07:11 next day at Beijing South Railway Station 11 h 54 min
D706 21:18 from Shanghai Railway Station 09:24 next day at Beijing Railway Station 12 h 6 min
D710 21:24 from Shanghai Railway Station 09:22 next day at Beijing South Railway Station 11 h 58 min

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Bullet Train Up-to-Date Schedules.

Beijing – Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket Prices

Train Types Seat Classes Price
G trains Business class seat 1,748 CNY (US$266)
1st class seat 933 CNY (US$142)
2nd class seat 553 CNY (US$84)
Overnight D trains Soft sleeper (four berths in a private compartment) 740 CNY (US$110)
Hard sleeper (six berths in an open-plan compartment) 550 CNY (US$79)
2nd class seat 386 CNY (US$57)

Children's tickets: A child fare is 50% (for seats) or about 75% (for sleepers) of the full price (children fares do not apply to sleepers on D and G trains). Children's fares apply to children not taller than 1.5 m and younger than 12 years of age. Refer to this link for more information about children's tickets.

Type of Seats on G and D Trains in China

Beijing – Shanghai Non-Bullet Train

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
1461 11:55 07:00 next day 19 h 5 min
Z281 19:10 09:54 next day 14 h 44 min
T109 20:05 11:00 next day 14 h 55 min

Beijing to Shanghai Ordinary Train Up-to-date Schedules.

Shanghai to Beijing Overnight Train Schedules

(Updated on February 7th, 2020)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
1462 12:18 10:50 next day 22 h 32 min
T110 17:57 10:08 next day 16 h 11 min
Z282 19:30 10:22 next day 14 h 52 min

Shanghai to Beijing Ordinary Train Up-to-Date Schedules.

Ticket Fares

Train Number Superior soft sleeper Soft sleeper Hard sleeper Hard seat
1461 - 501 CNY (US$74) 312 CNY (US$46) 156.5 CNY (US$23)
T109 879.5 CNY (US$129) 525 CNY (US$77) 335 CNY (US$50) 177.5 CNY (US$26)
Z282 - 525 CNY (US$77) 335 CNY (US$50) 177.5 CNY (US$26)

How to Choose Train Types and Seat Classes

China overnight bullet trainHigh-speed sleeper train from Beijing to Shanghai

Beijing – Shanghai Daytime Bullet Train

1. This type of trains are the fastest ones among all the types. Especially "Fuxinghao", the fastest passenger train in the world, which can operate up to 400 km/h (249 miles per hour). Tickets on G trains are the most expensive.

2. G trains have three classes of seat: business class, first class and second class.

  • Second class is the cheapest class on a high-speed train, with 5 seats (3+2) in a row. Some passengers find second class a bit cramped.
  • First class is more spacious than second class, with 4 seats (2+2) in a row. More expensive than second class.
  • Business class is the most comfortable yet most expensive class on a high-speed train. It has 3 leather seats (1+2) in a row, which can be reclined to a flat bed.
“Fuxinghao” high-speed train, the most fast train in China "Fuxinghao" – the newest high-speed train in China and the fastest train in the world

"Fuxinghao" – China's Newest Type of High-Speed Train

China has developed a new type of high-speed train called "Fuxinghao", with a maximum speed of 400 kph (250 mph). The first pairs of "Fuuxinghao" high-speed trains operated on Beijing–Shanghai rail line in 2017.

Compared to "Hexiehao" high-speed trains, "Fuxinghao" high-speed trains are more comfortable and better-equipped. The whole train has access to Wi-Fi.

Nowadays, "Fuxinghao" high-speed trains on Beijing–Shanghai route are G5/G6 between Beijing South Station and Shanghai Railway Station; G1/G2, G3/G4, G7/G8, G9/G10 and G17/G18 between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao Station.

Find out more about China High-Speed Train Types.

Beijing – Shanghai Overnight Bullet Train

1. Overnight bullet trains are fast, clean and modern. They travel at night, save you a night's hotel bill and also leaves you sufficient daytime for sightseeing.

2. Soft sleeper on bullet trains are comfortable and provide great privacy. There are four berths, two upper and two lower berths, in a private compartment, with a lockable door. Lower berth is more expensive than upper berth. Pillow, sheet and blanket are provided.

soft sleeperSoft sleeper on Beijing to Shanghai non-bullet train

3. There are also second-class seats on an overnight high-speed train. The ticket fare is cheaper than a sleeper ticket. But it would be tiring to sit in a chair for such a long journey.

Beijing – Shanghai Non-Bullet Overnight Train

1. Normal-speed overnight trains are slower, and not as new as bullet overnight trains, and facilities inside are a bit outdated. Ticket fares are cheaper. It is a good choice for travelers with limites budget.

2. Some trains have superior soft sleeper (2 berths in a private compartment), which is the most luxurious sleeper class and are perfect for couples. Soft sleeper is the most popular in foreign travlers. Hard sleeper is more cost-effective. It consists of open plan compartments and does not provide good privacy as soft sleeper.

Also read How to Choose Between Train Types and Seat Classes in China.

Beijing to Shanghai, by Train or Plane?

Between Beijing and Shanghai, which means of transportation is better, by high-speed train or plane?

Quick Facts

  Plane Bullet Train
Ticket Price 600 – 1490 CNY (USD 88-219) 553 – 1748 CNY (USD 81-257)
Duration 2 – 2.5 hours 4.5 – 6 hours
Total Travel Time 6 hours 7 - 8 hours
Punctuality Sometimes there will be delays Punctual

Read more information about Beijing to Shanghai by Train or Plane?

Other Popular Rail Routes From Beijing

beijing to pingyao bullet trainPingyao Ancient City

Domestic High-Speed Rail Lines

International Rail Lines

Other Popular Rail Routes from Shanghai

China Train Travel FAQs

How many days in advance can I book China train tickets?
I cannot find a train for my route, what can I do?
Can you buy international train tickets?
Can I book e-tickets for trains in China?

More Questions about China Train Travel

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