Contents
Leaving behind the jagged karst peaks and misty riverbanks of Guilin for the neon-lit skyscrapers of Shanghai is a journey from China's ancient soul to its futuristic heart. While Guilin offers a slow-paced immersion into nature, Shanghai is a relentless engine of commerce and style. Crossing this distance means moving from the subtropical south toward the bustling East China Sea coast.
The choice between flying and taking the train on this route is a classic travel dilemma. One offers speed and the convenience of bypassing the long overland haul, while the other provides a front-row seat to the changing Chinese landscape, shifting from rural villages and rice paddies to the dense urban sprawl of the Yangtze River Delta.
Guilin to Shanghai by Train
The rail connection between Guilin and Shanghai combines high-speed G trains, overnight D trains with berths and slower conventional trains. The 12306 ticket search for 16 October 2026 lists 7 trains from Guilin or Guilin North to Shanghai.[1] This route is popular, and you can easily secure your tickets through GoAsia.cc to ensure you get the class of service you prefer.
High Speed Trains
High-speed trains are the preferred choice for those who want to see the countryside without spending a full night in transit. On 16 October 2026 the G264 left Guilin at 12:05 and reached Shanghai Hongqiao at 19:30 (7h 25min), and the G1506 left Guilin North at 13:31 and reached Hongqiao at 22:56 (9h 25min).[1] Second class cost 760.5 yuan on the G264 and 692 yuan on the G1506, first class 1,218 and 1,108 yuan, and business class 2,095.5 and 2,373 yuan.[1] Hongqiao is a large transport hub connected to the city's metro system.
Overnight and Conventional Trains
For budget-conscious travelers or those looking to save on a night of accommodation, overnight trains remain an option. The D198 (19:16) and D196 (20:25) from Guilin North reach Shanghai South at 10:55 and 11:24 the next morning (15h 39min and 14h 59min), with second class seats from 289 yuan and second class berths from 410 yuan on the D198.[1] Conventional trains take longer: the T382 (14:15, to Shanghai Songjiang) takes 20h 44min, the K150 (16:30, to Songjiang) 23h 30min and the K1558 (04:00, to Shanghai) 25h 12min.[1] On the T382 and K150 a hard seat costs 192 yuan, a hard sleeper 328 yuan and a soft sleeper 515 yuan.[1] Hard sleepers are open-plan berths, while soft sleepers are in compartments with a door.
Guilin to Shanghai by Flight
If time is your primary concern, flying is the most logical choice. Booking platforms list flights from Guilin to Shanghai at 2h 15min to 2h 45min, with three departures a day (11:10, 14:30 and 18:40) and fares from about $294 for dates in the coming weeks (October 2026).[2] Shanghai is served by two major airports: Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). Hongqiao is about 13 km from the city center and Pudong about 30 km.[3] It is advisable to arrive at Guilin airport well before departure, as security lines can be thorough.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (CNY) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Speed Train | 692 to 760.5 (second class)[1] | 7h 25min to 9h 25min[1] | High |
| Overnight Train (D) | 289 (seat) to 652 (first class berth)[1] | 14h 59min to 15h 39min[1] | Moderate |
| Conventional Sleeper Train (T, K) | 192 (hard seat) to 542 (soft sleeper)[1] | 20h 44min to 25h 12min[1] | Moderate |
| Flight | From about $294 (USD)[2] | 2h 15min to 2h 45min[2] | High |
Tips for Traveling from Guilin to Shanghai
- Book in Advance: Train tickets in China go on sale 15 days before departure, and for travel after 30 December the advance sale period is 30 days.[4] Trains sell out quickly during peak periods like Golden Week or the Lunar New Year.
- Station Logistics: Guilin has two stations on this route, Guilin North and Guilin, and the trains arrive at different Shanghai stations (Hongqiao, Shanghai South, Songjiang and Shanghai).[1] Double-check the station names on your ticket carefully.
- Passport: Foreign passengers buy real-name tickets with a valid passport and must show the same passport to enter the station and board.[5]
- Airport Transfers: In Shanghai, Hongqiao Terminal 2 is served by Metro Lines 2 and 10 and Terminal 1 by Line 10.[3] From Pudong, the maglev runs to Longyang Road (Metro Line 2) in about 8 minutes at a top speed of 430 km/h.[6]
Timetable
| Flight Guilin - Shanghai $ 294.27–547.66 2h 15m – 2h 45m | |
|
|
| Train Guilin - Shanghai $ 36.30–310.27 7h 42m – 1days 1h 12m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Guilin to Shanghai, including current prices and schedules.
The cheapest ticket is a hard seat on a conventional train, at 192 yuan on the T382 and K150 on the 12306 search for 16 October 2026. The cheapest overnight D train seat cost 289 yuan, and the cheapest high-speed ticket (second class) 692 yuan.
The fastest way to reach Shanghai is by flight, which takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes according to booking platforms (October 2026). The fastest train, the G264, takes 7 hours 25 minutes.
A flight takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. High-speed trains take 7 hours 25 minutes to 9 hours 25 minutes, overnight D trains about 15 hours, and conventional trains 20 hours 44 minutes to 25 hours 12 minutes (12306, 16 October 2026).
Hongqiao (SHA) is about 13 km from the city center and Pudong (PVG) about 30 km. Check which airport your flight uses and how you will get from there to your hotel.
The G1506 takes 9 hours 25 minutes and the G264 7 hours 25 minutes. Second class is the cheapest seat, while first class and business class cost more and offer more space.
Food service on board varies by train. Many travelers bring their own food or buy snacks and local specialties at the station before departing.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Guilin to Shanghai, 16 October 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Guilin - Shanghai. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Shanghai Municipal People's Government: Transportation at Shanghai airports. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Chengdu to Beijing, 16 October 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] China Railway (12306): 12306 FAQ. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.: Shanghai Maglev official website. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.