How to Get from Shanghai to Xiamen
Discover the best ways to travel from Shanghai to Xiamen. Compare flights and high-speed trains, with durations and tips for a smooth journey.
Contents
Leaving behind the towering skyscrapers of the Bund for the salty breeze of the Fujian coast marks a transition from China's financial heart to a more relaxed, maritime pace of life. While Shanghai is defined by its relentless verticality and neon-lit streets, Xiamen offers a refreshing blend of colonial history on Gulangyu Island and a sophisticated urban beach culture that feels worlds away from the Yangtze River Delta.
The journey south tracks the eastern coastline of China. For most travelers, the decision comes down to a choice between a short flight and a high-speed train that takes a few hours longer. You can compare options and book on GoAsia.cc.
Shanghai to Xiamen by Flight
Taking a flight is the most time-efficient way to reach Xiamen. Booking platforms list flights of 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes, with 26 daily departures from 07:00 to 23:05 (October 2026), so you can have breakfast in a French Concession cafe and sit down to a seafood lunch by the Taiwan Strait.[1]
Prices for this route vary widely with the date. On booking platforms, one-way Economy fares start at about $70 (October 2026), and fares for last-minute bookings or peak holidays are much higher.[1] Flights depart from either Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and land at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN).
Choosing a Shanghai Airport
Hongqiao is about 13 km from the city center and handles mainly domestic and East Asian regional flights, while Pudong is about 30 km from downtown.[2] From Pudong's Longyang Road station on Metro Line 2, the maglev reaches the airport in about 8 minutes.[3]
Arriving in Xiamen
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is connected to the city by airport express buses, city buses, BRT, taxis and long-distance coaches.[4] You can compare these flight options and secure your seats through GoAsia.cc.
Shanghai to Xiamen by Train
High-speed trains run from Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai South and Songjiang to Xiamen North station. On 20 October 2026, China Railway's 12306 listed 28 trains. The fastest, G257 from Hongqiao at 12:00, arrived at 17:03 (5 hours 3 minutes), G259 left Hongqiao at 14:04 and arrived at 19:08, and G255 left Shanghai South at 09:07 and arrived at 14:14 (5 hours 7 minutes). The slower services take up to about 8 hours.[5]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | From about $70 (October 2026)[1] | From 1h 35min | Xiamen Gaoqi Airport (XMN) |
| High-speed train | Shown when booking on 12306 | From 5h 3min[5] | Xiamen North station |
Tips for Traveling from Shanghai to Xiamen
- Choose your airport wisely: If you are staying in Puxi (western Shanghai), Hongqiao Airport is much closer. If you are in Pudong, the maglev from Longyang Road makes Pudong Airport easy to reach.[3]
- Book in advance: The cheapest Economy seats sell out quickly, especially during the Golden Week holidays or the Chinese New Year period when travel demand surges across the country.
- Bring Your Passport: Foreign passengers buy real-name train tickets with a valid passport and must show the same document to enter the station and board the train.[6]
- Gulangyu Island Planning: If your destination in Xiamen is the pedestrian-only Gulangyu Island, remember that you will need to take a ferry from Xiamen island, so allow time for it after you arrive.
Timetable
| Flight Shanghai - Xiamen $ 69.09–384.57 1h 35m – 2h 10m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Shanghai to Xiamen, including current prices and schedules.
Booking platforms list one-way Economy flights from about $70 in October 2026, and prices vary with demand and season. Train fares are shown on China Railway's 12306 when you book, so compare both for your date.
Flying is the fastest option, with flights taking from about 1 hour 35 minutes. The fastest high-speed trains take a little over 5 hours.
A flight takes about 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes in the air, plus airport transfers, check-in and security. High-speed trains take from about 5 hours 3 minutes, and slower services take up to about 8 hours.
Both Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG) offer flights to Xiamen. Hongqiao is closer to the city center, while Pudong is about 30 km from downtown and is the one to use if you are connecting from an international flight.
Yes. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is connected to the city by airport express buses, city buses, BRT, taxis and long-distance coaches.
Yes. Booking platforms list 26 daily departures from 07:00 to 23:05 (October 2026), which gives you plenty of flexibility.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: Shanghai - Xiamen timetable (flight). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [2] Shanghai Municipal People's Government: Transportation at Shanghai airports. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.: Shanghai Maglev official website. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Xiamen Airport (Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport): Airport transport (BRT page). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [5] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Shanghai to Xiamen, 20 October 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [6] China Railway (12306): 12306 FAQ. 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.