Route
Nanjing to ShanghaiShanghai to Nanjing: take the train or fly?
An hour or so between Nanjing and Shanghai, with a train every few minutes and two parallel lines to choose from. Fast trains stop at Suzhou and Wuxi on the way, so it doubles as the spine of a Yangtze Delta trip.
Nanjing 南京
Nanjing South
Shanghai 上海
Shanghai Hongqiao
- 2nd class
- from ¥135 ≈ $19
- business to ¥440
- Departures
- ~220/day
- 06:00–22:15
- Train types
- G · D
- Flight
- no flights — too short
Just over an hour on the fastest trains, leaving constantly from Nanjing South. There's no air service worth considering, and the same trains stop at Suzhou and Wuxi if you want to break the trip.
Should you take the train or fly?
Take the train — there’s no alternative and no reason to want one. It’s 300 km, a little over an hour on the fastest G-trains, and one leaves Nanjing South every few minutes from early morning to late evening. Second class is about ¥135.
There is essentially no air service between Nanjing and Shanghai, and there wouldn’t be — the train is done before you’d have finished airport security.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Most trains run Nanjing South (Nanjingnan) to Shanghai Hongqiao, both major metro interchanges. Some services use the central stations at either end — check the name on your ticket.
Break the trip. Many of these trains stop at Wuxi and Suzhou. If you’re touring the Yangtze Delta, ride the line in stages rather than treating Shanghai as a hub to return to.
How to book. Trip.com or the 12306 app, passport as the ID type. Electronic ticket — scan your passport at the gate. Second class is fine for an hour.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Common questions
How long is the train from Nanjing to Shanghai?
About 1 hour 3 minutes on the fastest G-trains, and 1.5 to 2.5 hours on services with more stops. Around 220 trains run each day.
How much does it cost?
Second class on the fast G-trains is about ¥135 (range roughly ¥108–212). Slower D-class trains on the parallel intercity line are cheaper. First class is around ¥230, business seat about ¥440.
Which stations does it use?
Most trains run Nanjing South (Nanjingnan) to Shanghai Hongqiao, both large metro interchanges. Some use Nanjing's or Shanghai's central stations — check your ticket.
Can I stop at Suzhou or Wuxi on the way?
Yes — many Nanjing–Shanghai trains call at Wuxi and Suzhou, so you can string them into one trip rather than doubling back from Shanghai.
Should I fly?
No. It's 300 km and about an hour by train; there's effectively no air service between the two.
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