Shanghai to Beijing by Train
By China Rail Guide Updated 2026-05-29 Fares verified May 2026 against China Railway (12306)
- Fastest
- 4h 18m
- Distance
- 1,318 km
- Trains/day
- 50+
- From
- $93
The return leg of China's flagship corridor. Shanghai–Beijing G-trains leave from Shanghai Hongqiao and reach Beijing South in as little as 4 hours 18 minutes, running frequently from early morning into the evening across the 1,318 km line.
At a glance
- Fastest non-stop service: about 4h 18m on premium Fuxing CR400 trainsets (up to 350 km/h).
- Around 50 high-speed trains a day, running from roughly 06:00 until 19:00 — China's busiest corridor.
- Departs Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥), arrives Beijing South (北京南), both on the metro.
- Four seat classes: Second, First, Premium First-class and lie-flat Business.
Fares by class
High-speed (G/C) seat classes on the main service:
| Class | Price (CNY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Second Class | ¥661 | $93 |
| First Class | ¥1,058 | $149 |
| Premium First-class | ¥1,455 | $205 |
| Business Class | ¥2,315 | $326 |
Prices are official China Railway (12306) fares for the fastest non-stop Fuxing G-trains. Slower services cost a little less — Second Class from about ¥598 (~$84).
Stations & train types
Trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao and arrive at Beijing South. Direct trains run this route.
- G — High-speed (up to 350 km/h)
Train or flight from Shanghai to Beijing?
A flight looks quicker on paper, but China's domestic flights ask you to arrive about 2 hours early, and airports sit well outside the city. High-speed trains leave from a central station with quick security. Most trains take 4.5–6 hours (fastest non-stop 4h 18m). Counting the whole door-to-door trip:
| 🚄 High-speed train | ✈️ Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| On board / in the air | 4h 18m | ~2h 25m |
| Getting there & through | + ~30m (central station, fast security) | + 2h arrive early, + ~1h30m to/from airports |
| Realistic door-to-door | ~4h 48m | ~5h 55m |
Flight time is estimated from route distance; airport arrival and transfer times are typical for China domestic travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Shanghai to Beijing?
Around 4 hours 18 minutes on the fastest non-stop G-trains; 5 to 6 hours on services with intermediate stops.
How much does a Shanghai to Beijing train ticket cost?
On the fastest Fuxing G-trains, Second Class is about ¥661 (~$93), First Class ¥1,058, Premium First-class ¥1,455, and Business Class ¥2,315. Slower trains are cheaper — Second Class from about ¥598. These are official China Railway (12306) fares.
Which station do trains to Beijing leave from in Shanghai?
High-speed trains to Beijing depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which is next to Hongqiao Airport and on metro lines 2, 10 and 17.
Travelling the other way? See Beijing → Shanghai →
Schedule and fares reflect China Railway (12306) official services, last verified 2026-05 against live booking data. Times and prices can change — confirm when you book.