How to Get from Kowloon to Shanghai
Take the direct high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Shanghai in about 8 hours, or fly in about 2.5 hours. Fares and tips.
Photo: shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Contents
From the neon corridors of Tsim Sha Tsui to the colonial grandeur of the Bund, this trip links two of Asia's great skylines. Kowloon is old Hong Kong at full volume; Shanghai is a futuristic city that still keeps its Art Deco past close.
You can go by high-speed train or by plane, and you can compare options and book on GoAsia.cc.
Kowloon to Shanghai by Train
Direct high-speed trains run from Hong Kong West Kowloon station to Shanghai Hongqiao. The G902 leaves at 11:35 and arrives at 19:43, a ride of 8 hours 8 minutes, and the G386/3 leaves at 13:58 and arrives at 22:42, a ride of 8 hours 44 minutes. Second class costs HK$1,298 and first class HK$2,077; fares are set in renminbi and adjusted monthly in Hong Kong dollars. Sleeper trains also run between West Kowloon and Shanghai Hongqiao.[1]
Kowloon to Shanghai by Flight
Flights leave from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), a short Airport Express ride or taxi trip from Kowloon, and land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Flights take from about 2 hours 30 minutes, and on booking platforms fares start at about $89 (October 2026).[2] Hongqiao is much closer to the city center than Pudong, which can save you time on arrival.
Tips for Traveling from Kowloon to Shanghai
- Entry rules: Hong Kong and mainland China have separate border controls. Check that your visa or permit for the mainland is valid before you go.
- Airport transit: From Kowloon, the quickest way to the airport is the Airport Express train from Kowloon Station.
- Arrival airport: Pudong (PVG) is the main international hub. Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to the city and shares a complex with the high-speed railway station.
- Currency and connectivity: Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar, Shanghai the renminbi, and internet rules differ on the mainland. Download a roaming eSIM or a navigation app that works well in mainland China before you depart.
Timetable
| Flight Hong Kong Airport - Shanghai $ 89.16–738.14 2h 30m – 3h 10m | |
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| Train Hong Kong West Kowloon - Shanghai $ 111.28–579.31 8h 8m – 10h 58m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kowloon to Shanghai, including current prices and schedules.
A flight. On booking platforms fares start at about $89 (October 2026), while the train costs HK$1,298 in second class.
A flight, which takes from about 2 hours 30 minutes in the air.
A flight takes from about 2 hours 30 minutes, and the direct high-speed train takes from 8 hours 8 minutes.
Hongqiao (SHA) suits the western part of the city or a connecting train. Pudong (PVG) suits the financial district and international connections.
Hong Kong and mainland China have separate immigration controls. Check the entry rules for your nationality well in advance and carry your passport.
From Hong Kong West Kowloon station, which is in Kowloon. Trains arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao station.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] MTR Corporation (High Speed Rail): Hong Kong West Kowloon to Shanghai Hongqiao: train schedule and fares. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: Kowloon - Shanghai timetable. Retrieved October 27, 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.