Suzhou - Nanjing Train

Currently, you can make a day tour between Suzhou and Nanjing by direct train or coach. There is no doubt that rail travel is the most preferable choice for tourists. About 240 pairs of trains are operated between: around 175 pairs of them are bullet trains with duration of 1 - 2 hours; and the other pairs are normal types running for 2 - 5 hours. If by coach, it takes about 3 hour or so, longer than high speed rides; and it costs a little more than rail travel. What's more, room in the coach is more limited and a ride in it is not as comfortable as a rail travel.
  Duration: about 1 - 2 hours
 Distance: about 217 - 227 km (135 - 141  mi)
 Top speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
 Operated at: Suzhou/ Suzhou North/ New District Railway Station, Nanjing / Nanjing Railway Station
 Stations along the way: Wuxi, Wuxi East, Wuxi New District, Huishan, Qishuyan, Changzhou, Changzhou North, Danyang, Danyang North, Dantu, Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang South, Baohuashan, Xianlin (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
G1228	12:00 - 12:48	0h48m

Around 175 departures in total: departure time from 06:17 to 23:41; duration from 44M to 1H58M.
See more Suzhou Schedule
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
G1715	12:07 - 13:04	0h57m

Around 175 departures in total: departure time from 03:28 to 22:07; duration from 45M to 1H57M.
See more Nanjing Schedule 

Note: The above timetable is for reference only. Please search for the real-time schedule by the tool on top of the page.
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

	Business Class Seat	VIP Class Seat	First Class Seat	Second Class Seat	Deluxe Soft Sleeper	New Soft Sleeper
G trains	CNY 311 - 412 USD 46 - 61	CNY 189.5 - 198.5 USD 28 - 29	CNY 149 - 188 USD 22 - 28	CNY 89 - 118 USD 13 - 17	---	---
D trains	---	---	CNY 129 - 140 USD 19 - 21	CNY 40 - 88 USD 6 - 13	---	---

There are more than one railway stations in both cities:
 In Suzhou, most of them arrive at or depart from Suzhou Railway Station, so there are more departure and arrival choices for passengers. The station is also closer to city center, so there is no doubt that it is the first choice. Some of them run to/from North Railway Station, while only a few rides operate at Industrial Zone Station and New District Station; if the schedule fits and you are staying near these stations, you may choose to use them.

 In Nanjing, some of them run to/from main railway station and most of them go to/from South Station. The former station is closer to the city center and nearby attraction sites compared with the latter one; but you can have more choices at the south station although it's a little far from the city center. But there is no need to worry. The transportation around the South Station is convenient, and you can choose subways, city buses and taxis to the nearby attraction sites.
  Duration: around 2 - 5 hours
 Distance: about 217 km (135 mi)
 Top speed: 100/ 120/ 140/ 160 km/h (62/ 75/ 87/ 99 mph)
 Operated at: Suzhou Railway Station, Nanjing Railway Station
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
T236	11:41 - 13:57	2h16m
T132	15:06 - 17:37	2h31m
Z268	15:48 - 17:46	1h58m
T116	16:32 - 18:47	2h15m

Over 60 departures in total: departure time from 00:05 to 23:28; duration from 1H48M to 3H3M.
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
Z171	10:06 - 12:04	1h58m
Z215	12:11 - 13:57	1h46m

Over 60 departures in total: departure time from 00:03 to 23:08; duration from 1H39M to 3H26M.

Note: The above timetable is for reference only. Please search for the real-time schedule by the tool on top of the page.
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Deluxe Soft Sleeper	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
-- --	CNY 124.5 USD 18	CNY 86.5 USD 13	CNY 32.5 USD 5

In addition, you are advised to take those running during the day. It's a short travel and you can appreciate the sceneries along the way. Also, the carriages for hard seats may be crowded and the environment is not that good. So if possible, you can purchase a sleeper which won't cost a lot and you will feel more comfortable.
 As two of the famous tourist destinations in China, Suzhou and Nanjing attract many tourists to view the beautiful sceneries and experience their culture and custom. The former is praised as the 'Venice of the Orient' and bears many elegant classical gardens and beautiful water townships; the latter was once the capital city of six dynasties of ancient China and it has lots of brilliant cultural heritages. If you come to China, you should never miss the two places.
 Major Rail Lines from Nanjing to: