How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing

The distance between Shanghai and Beijing is about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles). Four ways of transportation are in service:

1. High speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing are the most popular and recommended way. The whole journey takes around 4.5 - 6.5 hours and CNY 553 - 671 (USD 78 - 95).

2. Passengers can also choose to take flights from Shanghai to Beijing with the duration of 2 - 2.5 hours, which is the fastest but the most expensive way.

3. Overnight sleeper trains, taking around 12 - 22.5 hours, are an economy choice for passengers with a tight budget.

4. Long-distance buses with relatively long duration are not very recommended for limit facilities and narrow space inside. 

 From Shanghai/ Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: Around 40 departures in total: departure time from 06:27 to 19:00; duration from 4H18M to 6H45M.

 Ticket Price: CNY 553 - 671 (USD 78 - 95) for a second class seat, CNY 930 - 1,091 (USD 132 - 155) for a first class seat, CNY 1,748 - 2,344
(USD 248 - 332) for a business class seat.

Taking high speed trains from Shanghai to Beijing is a very popular way for passengers. As one of “China's four great new inventions”, high speed train is fast, safe, and well-equipped as airplanes. Visitors to China should not miss a ride on it. For the Shanghai to Beijing travel, it is easier and time-saving to get on board a train than the plane. Moreover, the cost of high speed train is lower.
 

 From Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)/ Hongqiao Internatinal Airport (SHA): Over 60 departures from around 07:00 to 22:00.

 Ticket Price: Around CNY 2,150 (USD 300) for full-fare economy class.

Usually, the flights tickets have a 20% - 70% off discount in low season from November to Next March and a 20% - 40% off discount in high season from April to October. There is no discount for air ticket in public holiday normally. Compared with other transportation ways, it is the most expensive most of the time.

To save money, passengers can buy cheap Shanghai - Beijing flights from low cost airlines, like Spring Airlines. However, please note that these low cost airlines usually have small luggage allowance and high charges for excess luggage.
 

 From Shanghai Railway Station:
1462: 12:15 - 10:27+; T110: 16:30 - 08:32+; D8: 19:08 - 07:30+; D6: 21:15 - 09:26+; D10: 21:21 - 09:24+

 Ticket Price:
T/1462 Trains: CNY  463.5 - 497.5 (USD 66 - 71) for a soft sleeper, CNY 296.5 - 325.5 (USD 42 - 46) for a hard sleeper
D Trains: CNY 676 - 777 (USD 95 - 109) for a soft sleeper, CNY 589 - 632 (USD 83 - 89) for a hard sleeper

Note: “+” means the second day.

Saving one-night hotel cost, it is an economy choice for budget passengers to take overnight trains travelling from Shanghai to Beijing. A sleeper is greatly recommended, otherwise the long journey will make you dog-tired. By the way, passengers had better purchase sleeper tickets in advance as the tickets are always in a great demand.