How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
The distance between Shanghai and Beijing is about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles). Four ways of transportation are in service:
1. High speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing are the most popular and recommended way. The whole journey takes around 4.5 - 6.5 hours and CNY 553 - 671 (USD 78 - 95).
2. Passengers can also choose to take flights from Shanghai to Beijing with the duration of 2 - 2.5 hours, which is the fastest but the most expensive way.
3. Overnight sleeper trains, taking around 12 - 22.5 hours, are an economy choice for passengers with a tight budget.
4. Long-distance buses with relatively long duration are not very recommended for limit facilities and narrow space inside.
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| Shanghai to Beijing High Speed Train |
1. Popular and Best Way – Shanghai - Beijing High Speed Train: 4.5 - 6.5 hours, CNY 553 - 671 (USD 78 - 95)
From Shanghai/ Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: Around 40 departures in total: departure time from 06:27 to 19:00; duration from 4H18M to 6H45M.
Ticket Price: CNY 553 - 671 (USD 78 - 95) for a second class seat, CNY 930 - 1,091 (USD 132 - 155) for a first class seat, CNY 1,748 - 2,344
(USD 248 - 332) for a business class seat.
Taking high speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing is a very popular way for passengers. As one of “China's four great new inventions”, high speed train is fast, safe, and well-equipped as airplanes. Visitors to China should not miss a ride on it. For the Shanghai to Beijing travel, it is easier and time-saving to get on board a train than the plane. Moreover, the cost of high speed train is lower.
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| Shanghai Railway Station |
2. Fastest Way - Shanghai - Beijing Flight: 2 - 2.5 hours, Around CNY 2,150 ( usually 20% - 70% off)
From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)/ Hongqiao Internatinal Airport (SHA): Over 60 departures from around 07:00 to 22:00.
Ticket Price: Around CNY 2,150 (USD 300) for full-fare economy class.
Usually, the flights tickets have a 20% - 70% off discount in low season from November to Next March and a 20% - 40% off discount in high season from April to October. There is no discount for air ticket in public holiday normally. Compared with other transportation ways, it is the most expensive most of the time.
To save money, passengers can buy cheap Shanghai - Beijing flights from low cost airlines, like Spring Airlines. However, please note that these low cost airlines usually have small luggage allowance and high charges for excess luggage.
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| Hongqiao International Airport |
3. Economy Way - Shanghai - Beijing Overnight Sleeper Train: 12 - 22.5 hours, CNY 296.5 - 632 (USD 42 - 89)
From Shanghai Railway Station:
1462: 12:15 - 10:27+; T110: 16:30 - 08:32+; D8: 19:08 - 07:30+; D6: 21:15 - 09:26+; D10: 21:21 - 09:24+
Ticket Price:
T/1462 Trains: CNY 463.5 - 497.5 (USD 66 - 71) for a soft sleeper, CNY 296.5 - 325.5 (USD 42 - 46) for a hard sleeper
D Trains: CNY 676 - 777 (USD 95 - 109) for a soft sleeper, CNY 589 - 632 (USD 83 - 89) for a hard sleeper
Note: “+” means the second day.
Saving one-night hotel cost, it is an economy choice for budget passengers to take overnight trains travelling from Shanghai to Beijing. A sleeper is greatly recommended, otherwise the long journey will make you dog-tired. By the way, passengers had better purchase sleeper tickets in advance as the tickets are always in a great demand.
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| Arrive in Beijing by Overnight Train |
4. Shanghai - Beijing Long-distance Bus: Around 14 hours, CNY 286 - 311 (USD 40 - 43)
From Shanghai Long-distance Bus Station: 8:00 / 16:00 / 17:30
Price: CNY 286 - 311 (USD 40 - 43)
Passengers are not very recommended to take long-dstance buses from Shanghai to Beijing because of the limit facilities and space inside. Also, the overall travel time is long.
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| Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station |
Further Reading:
How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai
Beijing - Shanghai Train VS. Plane
Cheapest Way to Travel between Beijing and Shanghai
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Wangfujing
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Capital Airport
How to Get from Beijing South Railway Station to Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square