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Connecting two of China's most significant cities, the journey from Shanghai to Nanjing offers a fascinating transition from a modern financial hub to a city steeped in imperial history and cultural heritage. Whether you're drawn by Nanjing's ancient city walls, its poignant historical sites, or simply seeking a change of pace, you have excellent transport options to make the trip efficiently and comfortably. The high-speed rail network provides a swift link between the two cities. You can book train tickets directly on GoAsia.cc.
Shanghai to Nanjing by Train
Traveling by train is by far the most popular and recommended way to get from Shanghai to Nanjing. On 16 October 2026 the 12306 timetable listed 172 services between Nanjing South and Shanghai Hongqiao (157 G, 14 D and 1 C train), from 06:10 to 22:51.[1] The fastest G trains take about 1 hour to 1 hour 2 minutes.[1]
High-Speed G Trains
G trains are the standard choice. Second class fares on the fastest G trains were 153 to 162 yuan, first class 253 to 260 yuan and business class 528 to 567 yuan.[1] Second class has comfortable seats with ample legroom, and business class offers the widest, most reclining seats and premium service.
D Trains and Conventional Trains
D trains are slower and cheaper: examples on the same day were 1 hour 54 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes with a second class fare of 98 yuan.[1] Conventional K and Z trains take about 3 to 5 hours and can also arrive at other Shanghai stations.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Duration | Fares (yuan, 16 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| High-speed G train | About 1h to 1h 2min (fastest) | Second class 153 to 162 yuan; first class 253 to 260 yuan; business class 528 to 567 yuan[1] |
| D train | About 1h 54min to 2h 30min | Second class from 98 yuan[1] |
| Conventional K/Z train | About 3 to 5 hours | Varies by train and class[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Shanghai to Nanjing
- Book in Advance: Especially for popular train times or during peak travel seasons (Chinese national holidays), it's highly recommended to book your train tickets a few days or even weeks in advance.
- Choose Your Train Station Wisely: Shanghai has several train stations. Ensure you know which station your train departs from (Shanghai Hongqiao is the main station for high-speed trains) and plan your transport there accordingly. Nanjing also has several stations (Nanjing, Nanjing South and Xianlin), and most high-speed trains use Nanjing South.[1]
- Arrive Early: For trains, aim to arrive well before departure, especially if you need to pick up tickets or navigate a large station.
- Packing for Comfort: Even for a relatively short train journey, consider bringing snacks, a water bottle, and a power bank for your devices. The train journey offers opportunities to enjoy the passing scenery.
- Learn Basic Phrases: While major transport hubs often have English signage and staff who speak some English, knowing a few basic Mandarin phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience.
- Consider High-Speed Rail: For most travelers, the high-speed train is the most convenient, comfortable, and often quickest way to travel between Shanghai and Nanjing when factoring in total journey time, since there is no practical flight alternative on this route.
Timetable
| Flight Shanghai - Nanjing $ 169.64–169.82 55m – 1h 20m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Shanghai to Nanjing, including current prices and schedules.
D trains and conventional trains are the cheapest options: on 16 October 2026 a second class D train fare was 98 yuan, compared with 153 to 162 yuan on the fastest G trains. They take noticeably longer than the G trains.
The fastest way is the high-speed G train, with the quickest services between Shanghai Hongqiao and Nanjing South taking about 1 hour on the 12306 timetable for 16 October 2026.
High-speed G trains take about 1 hour to 1 hour 2 minutes at best, D trains roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, and conventional K and Z trains about 3 to 5 hours.
For most travelers, the high-speed train is the better choice. It is frequent, fast and runs between central stations, without the airport transfers and security checks.
Yes, you can buy train tickets at the station, but it is highly recommended to book in advance, especially for popular times and during peak travel seasons, to ensure availability and avoid long queues. Online booking platforms like GoAsia.cc also offer convenient options.
High-speed G trains offer second class, first class and business class seats. D trains offer second and first class, and conventional trains offer different seat and sleeper classes depending on the service.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Nanjing South to Shanghai Hongqiao, 16 October 2026. 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.