Beijing to Shanghai Train: High-Speed and Night
Take a G high-speed train from Beijing South to Shanghai Hongqiao: the fastest take 4 hours 18 minutes. Overnight D and conventional trains also run daily.
Take a G high-speed train between Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao. The line is 1,318 km long and designed for 350 km/h.[1] On sample dates in October 2026, 12306 listed about 45 G trains a day in each direction, and the fastest took 4 hours 18 minutes (G25 from Beijing South at 17:00, with one stop at Nanjing South).[2]
If you want to sleep on the way, there are four overnight options in each direction: two D sleeper trains of about 12 hours and two conventional trains of 15 to 22 hours. They use Beijing Station and Shanghai Station, not Beijing South and Hongqiao.[2]
Map: Natural Earth (public domain) · Lines drawn through the stations of each service
Which train to take
The G trains with one or two digit numbers are the quick ones: G1 to G37 southbound and G2 to G32 plus G44 northbound take 4 hours 18 minutes to 4 hours 54 minutes. G25 stops only at Nanjing South, while G1 also calls at Cangzhou West, Dezhou East, Qufu East and Suzhou North.[2] G trains with three or four digit numbers stop more often and take roughly 5.5 to over 7 hours, so check the duration before you book.[2]
Most G trains end at Shanghai Hongqiao, but G3, G5, G17, G29 and G33 southbound and G4, G16, G18 and G28 northbound use Shanghai Station instead.[2] G5 starts at Beijing Station at 07:40 and calls at Beijing South at 07:59.[2]
Classes and berths
G trains sell second class, first class and business class seats, and some also sell Premium First Class. On the same dates, 12306 fares for a second class seat ran from 553 to 697 yuan, first class from 929 to 1,117 yuan and business class from 1,995 to 2,442 yuan. Fares differ by train and date.[2]
The D trains (D5 and D7 from Beijing, D6 and D8 from Shanghai) sell sleeper berths and seats. First class sleepers cost 601 to 644 yuan, second class sleepers 440 to 474 yuan and second class seats 338 to 361 yuan.[2] The conventional trains (T109, T110, 1461 and 1462) sell hard sleepers for 283.5 to 304.5 yuan, soft sleepers for 455.5 to 476.5 yuan and hard seats for 156.5 to 177.5 yuan.[2]
How to book
Tickets go on sale up to 15 days before departure.[3] You can buy them on the 12306 website or app, where the interface can be set to English, or at a station ticket window with your passport.[3] Foreign visitors register on the English site with a foreign passport.[4] Online sales run from 05:00 to 01:00 the next day, and until 23:30 on Tuesdays.[5]
Refunds cost nothing if you cancel more than 8 days before departure. After that the fee is 5% of the ticket price more than 48 hours before departure, 10% from 24 to 48 hours, and 20% under 24 hours.[5]
Stations
Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao are the main stations of the G trains, and the ticket shows which station your train uses. The overnight D and conventional trains run between Beijing Station and Shanghai Station, so a night train and a day train need different transfers at either end.
On board
With an e-ticket you swipe your passport at the automatic gates or show it to the staff at the manual gate.[3] All passengers and bags go through a security check, so leave extra time at the station.[5] You may carry up to 20 kg free, and one item may measure up to 130 cm in total on high-speed (EMU) trains.[5] Smoking is not allowed anywhere on EMU trains.[5]
Timetable
Beijing to Shanghai
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Days | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1High-speed train (G) | 06:30Beijing South | 11:24 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G3High-speed train (G) | 06:52Beijing South | 11:33 Shanghai Station | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G37High-speed train (G) | 07:52Beijing South | 12:35 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G5High-speed train (G) | 07:59Beijing South | 12:32 Shanghai Station | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G7High-speed train (G) | 09:00Beijing South | 13:37 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G9High-speed train (G) | 10:00Beijing South | 14:35 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G11High-speed train (G) | 10:03Beijing South | 14:39 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G23High-speed train (G) | 11:00Beijing South | 15:37 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| 1461Conventional train | 11:59Beijing Station | 06:45+1 Shanghai Station | daily | Soft Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Seat (conventional train) |
| G15High-speed train (G) | 12:00Beijing South | 16:38 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G17High-speed train (G) | 13:00Beijing South | 17:35 Shanghai Station | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G19High-speed train (G) | 14:00Beijing South | 18:32 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G21High-speed train (G) | 15:00Beijing South | 19:34 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G13High-speed train (G) | 16:00Beijing South | 20:28 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G25High-speed train (G) | 17:00Beijing South | 21:18 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G27High-speed train (G) | 17:04Beijing South | 21:36 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G29High-speed train (G) | 18:00Beijing South | 22:43 Shanghai Station | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G31High-speed train (G) | 18:04Beijing South | 22:58 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G33High-speed train (G) | 19:00Beijing South | 23:35 Shanghai Station | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| D7Sleeper train (D) | 19:18Beijing Station | 07:25+1 Shanghai Station | daily | First Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Seat (D train) |
| G35High-speed train (G) | 19:24Beijing South | 23:51 Shanghai Hongqiao | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| T109Conventional train | 20:04Beijing Station | 11:02+1 Shanghai Station | daily | Soft Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Seat (conventional train) |
| D5Sleeper train (D) | 21:21Beijing Station | 09:27+1 Shanghai Station | daily | First Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Seat (D train) |
Shanghai to Beijing
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Days | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2High-speed train (G) | 06:43Shanghai Hongqiao | 11:32 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G4High-speed train (G) | 07:00Shanghai Station | 11:37 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G8High-speed train (G) | 08:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 12:26 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G10High-speed train (G) | 09:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 13:26 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G12High-speed train (G) | 10:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 14:24 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G14High-speed train (G) | 11:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 15:31 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G16High-speed train (G) | 11:53Shanghai Station | 16:34 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| 1462Conventional train | 12:15Shanghai Station | 10:46+1 Beijing Station | daily | Soft Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Seat (conventional train) |
| G18High-speed train (G) | 12:55Shanghai Station | 17:37 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G20High-speed train (G) | 14:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 18:36 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G22High-speed train (G) | 15:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 19:33 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G44High-speed train (G) | 15:04Shanghai Hongqiao | 19:37 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| G24High-speed train (G) | 16:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 20:35 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| T110Conventional train | 16:30Shanghai Station | 08:33+1 Beijing Station | daily | Soft Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Sleeper (conventional train), Hard Seat (conventional train) |
| G26High-speed train (G) | 17:00Shanghai Hongqiao | 21:32 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G28High-speed train (G) | 17:55Shanghai Station | 22:37 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| G30High-speed train (G) | 18:52Shanghai Hongqiao | 23:21 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat, Premium First Class |
| D8Sleeper train (D) | 19:08Shanghai Station | 07:17+1 Beijing Station | daily | First Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Seat (D train) |
| G32High-speed train (G) | 19:25Shanghai Hongqiao | 23:49 Beijing South | daily | Business Class, First Class Seat, Second Class Seat |
| D6Sleeper train (D) | 21:15Shanghai Station | 09:25+1 Beijing Station | daily | First Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Sleeper (D train), Second Class Seat (D train) |
Timetable source: 12306 train search, Beijing to Shanghai[2]. Times change with timetable revisions. Check the operator's timetable before you travel.
Classes and fares
| Class | Type | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class | Soft seat Air-conditioned | CNY 1,995 to CNY 2,442[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Premium First Class Sold on some G trains only. | Soft seat Air-conditioned | CNY 1,382 to CNY 1,534[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| First Class Seat | Soft seat Air-conditioned | CNY 929 to CNY 1,117[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Second Class Seat | Seat Air-conditioned | CNY 553 to CNY 697[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| First Class Sleeper (D train) Berths on the D sleeper trains between Beijing Station and Shanghai Station. | Sleeper Air-conditioned | CNY 601 to CNY 644[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Second Class Sleeper (D train) | Sleeper Air-conditioned | CNY 440 to CNY 474[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Second Class Seat (D train) | Seat Air-conditioned | CNY 338 to CNY 361[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Soft Sleeper (conventional train) | Sleeper 4 per compartment Air-conditioned | CNY 455.5 to CNY 476.5[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Hard Sleeper (conventional train) Open berths on the conventional trains. | Couchette 6 per compartment Air-conditioned | CNY 283.5 to CNY 304.5[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
| Hard Seat (conventional train) | Seat Air-conditioned | CNY 156.5 to CNY 177.5[2] per person, 12306 fares for 27 and 31 Oct 2026, vary by train and date |
Stations
Main stations in travel order. Distances from the first station, where the operator publishes them.
-
Beijing South
北京南站
Departure station of the G trains; the overnight trains leave from Beijing Station instead.
-
Tianjin South
天津南站
-
Jinan West
济南西站
-
Xuzhou East
徐州东站
-
Nanjing South
南京南站
The only stop of G25, the fastest train.
-
Shanghai Hongqiao
上海虹桥站
End of most G trains; a few end at Shanghai Station.
How to book
Book with the operator
12306 (website and app)[3] · Sales open 15 days before departure.
At the station
ticket windows at stations, passport required[3]
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] National Railway Administration of China: 京沪高速铁路工程 (Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Project). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [2] China Railway (12306): 12306 China Railway: train search Beijing to Shanghai, departures 22 Oct to 1 Nov 2026 (timetable, stops and fares). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [3] Shanghai Municipal People's Government (english.shanghai.gov.cn): Train ticket sales begin for Spring Festival travel rush (how to buy train tickets). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] China Railway (12306): 12306 China Railway: Create an account. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [5] China Railway (12306): 12306 China Railway: FAQ (tickets, sales hours, refunds, luggage). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
The fastest G trains take 4 hours 18 minutes to 4 hours 54 minutes. G trains with three or four digit numbers take roughly 5.5 to over 7 hours, the D sleeper trains about 12 hours and the conventional trains 15 to 22 hours.
Yes. D5 leaves Beijing Station at 21:21 and D7 at 19:18, arriving in Shanghai the next morning. The conventional T109 and 1461 also run overnight. All four use Beijing Station and Shanghai Station, not the high-speed stations.
Tickets are sold up to 15 days before departure on the 12306 website, app and at station windows.
Yes. Foreign visitors register on the English 12306 site with a foreign passport, or buy at a station window with the passport.
Most G trains arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao. G3, G5, G17, G29 and G33 end at Shanghai Station instead, so check the ticket.
On the dates checked in October 2026, a second class seat on a G train cost 553 to 697 yuan, first class 929 to 1,117 yuan and business class 1,995 to 2,442 yuan. Fares vary by train and date.