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How to Get from Beijing to Shanghai by Train | Options and Prices
Travel by train between Beijing and Shanghai It is the most effective and comfortable way to cover the 1.300 km that separate these two Chinese megacities. This route is one of the most popular in the country, as it connects two of the most important cities both culturally and economically, both very touristy. To make it easy for you to organize your trip, in this article we tell you how to get from Beijing to Shanghai by train, the best options available, approximate prices, duration of the journey, useful tips and how to buy tickets.
🚆 How to get from Beijing to Shanghai by train – Types of trains
China has a very extensive railway network with a variety of options, and the route between Pekin y Shanghai is one of the best examples of this. There are several alternatives depending on your budget, the comfort you are looking for and the type of experience you prefer. Trains are classified by letters that you can find in the route code. Below, I explain the best options.
High Speed Trains (G)
These trains, known for their speed and comfort, They are the favorites for those looking for a fast and comfortable trip. Travel time is between 4 30 hours and minutes y 6 hours long., depending on the train and intermediate stops.
The two main stations that connect this route are Beijing South (Beijing South Railway Station), modern station well connected to the metro, and Shanghai Hongqiao, located near Hongqiao Airport, this station is one of the largest and most modern the country.
The Direct trains leave every 10-15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 21:30 p.m. approximately, so you have a lot of flexibility to finish. visit Beijing and you can choose the best time to make this journey.
Many of the trains have Wi-Fi and power outlets. carCharge your devices. There are different types of classes on the same train:
- Second class: From 550 CNY (about 70 EUR). It offers comfortable seats but with less space than the higher classes.
- First class: From 900 CNY (about 115 EUR). The seats are wider and the carriage is quieter.
- Business class: From 1.750 CNY (around 225 EUR). This option is ideal for those looking for luxury, with reclining bed-like seats and additional services such as free snacks and drinks, although they are neither plentiful nor of great quality.
📍Do you only have a few hours? Read our itineraries stopover in Beijing o What to do in Shanghai in one day.
Night Trains (T and D)
If you prefer to save a night's accommodation and are not in a hurry, night trains are an excellent option. Although the journey is much longer, they offer a different experience and are much cheaper. Travel time is between 12 and 15 hours, depending on the route and the stops you make.
In this case the stations that this route usually connects are Beijing Railway Station, which is the most central station, and Shanghai Railway Station, located in the northern part but close to the city center.
These trains don't usually have Wi-Fi, but they do have restaurant cars. There are different types of seats available and the experience varies greatly depending on the option chosen:
- Hard seat: From 170 CNY (about 22 EUR). They are inexpensive, but recommended only for short journeys or for very seasoned travellers as they are not very comfortable, with minimal padding and do not recline. There are no power outlets.
- Soft seat or second class: From 300 CNY (about 39 EUR). They offer a bit more comfort and everyone sits facing the same direction. Some trains have power sockets or USB outlets. This type of seat is only available on type D trains.
- Hard sleeper: From 325 CNY (about 42 EUR). This is a practical and quite comfortable option. The bed is actually soft and has a pillow and duvet. The compartment is open and consists of two 3-tier bunk beds. Each bed has its own socket.
- Soft sleeper: From 500 CNY (about 65 EUR). This is the most comfortable option for overnight trips, 4 beds in a closed compartment with pillows and duvets, also with sockets.
How does buy tickets?
La easiest and recommended way is to buy tickets online, if you are a foreigner you have to do it through Trip.com because the official Chinese website only accepts users with Chinese phone numbers. Trip is in your language, it is a reliable website and they accept international cards, making it easy to purchase regardless of your nationality. Please note that Tickets are available 15 days in advanceIf you book in advance, you are purchasing in advance on Trip.com, but the ticket will not be confirmed until 15 days before the journey. When you buy it online, you do not need a physical ticket to enter the station or your train, only your passport.
▶ You need a detailed guide to buy all your train tickets in China? We have a where we explain in a simple way How to buy tickets online and also in person.
Despite the large number of trains that connect both cities daily, it is one of the busiest routes in the world and It is recommended to book as far in advance as possible. possible, especially during local holidays such as New Year or Golden Week.
If you prefer to buy the ticket in person, you can do so at the ticket offices at the stations. However, The process is longer and can be more complicated if you don't speak Chinese., as the staff usually do not speak English. To buy the ticket at the station you will need to show your passport We recommend showing the train number you want to buy to speed up the process. You should arrive several hours in advance because the queues are usually very long and ticket sales close 1 hour before the train departs. The big advantage is that you save Trip's commission.
How to get from Beijing to Shanghai by train, our practical tips
We recommend you arrive on time enough to the station, train stations in China are really huge, especially in Beijing and Shanghai and they have security checks similar to airports. There is no luggage limit but If you have a large suitcase, try to get off at the platform as soon as possible.There isn't much room in the carriages for large luggage, and they fill up quickly. Leave some warm clothing handy; especially in summer, the air conditioning can be very strong.
Have your passport and ticket ready in case a ticket inspector asks for them, although foreigners are often not checked because they cannot speak English. Pay attention to the screens where the stops are announced, they are usually announced over loudspeakers in Chinese and English, but the audio is not always clear.
Tips for fast trains
Although there is usually a restaurant car and staff occasionally come around selling some products, the options are very limited and more carThat's why It is recommended to bring some snacks or food and enough water.There are water fountains in some carriages, but it is usually boiled water for making tea or instant noodles.
La mobile internet connection is unstable on high-speed trains, so I recommend bringing a TV series, book, music, or podcast.carPacked beforehand to make the trip more enjoyable. Although there are usually power outlets or USB ports, it's best to bring your mobile phone. carI've checked in case they don't work.
Tips for slow trains
If you are not the type of person who is able to sleep anywhere avoid the seatsThey don't recline, they're not particularly wide or comfortable, and they're arranged in groups of 6 with a table in the middle, so you're bound to have someone you don't know in front of you. Choose a hard bed if you're on a budget, or a soft one if you prefer privacy, although the price is similar to taking the fast train.
Although there is usually a restaurant car It is best to bring your own food and drinks. for the trip. Since the trip is very long, to avoid carIf you're planning on buying too much, we recommend eating something at the station just before boarding the train. Some carriages have boiling water dispensers for preparing instant noodles, which are a popular option on these trains.
We hope that this guide on How to get from Beijing to Shanghai by train We hope you found this super helpful and that you can put it into practice soon. To see more about our experiences in the Asian Giant, you can check out the featured stories on Instagram and read our Guides for travel to China updated. We also have a guide to Hong Kong in 1 day or 2 in case you have to leave the country to renew your visa.
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