Route
Shanghai to Xi'anXi'an to Shanghai: take the train or fly?
Xi'an is about six hours from Shanghai on the fastest daily train, and closer to eight on the rest. Over a distance like this the plane is the usual choice — this page is about when the train still makes sense.
Shanghai 上海
Shanghai Hongqiao
Xi'an 西安
Xi'an North
- 2nd class
- from ¥659 ≈ $92
- business to ¥2,311
- Departures
- ~20/day
- 06:10–17:10
- Train types
- G · D
- Flight
- slower door-to-door
- Shanghai is one of China's most delay-prone airports; Xi'an's is ~40 km out
At 1,500 km the plane saves roughly two to three hours door to door for a similar fare, so most travellers fly. Take the train if you would rather not fly, want the daytime overland run past Nanjing and Luoyang, or can use an overnight sleeper to save a hotel night. Booked a week or two ahead, the prices are close.
Compare
Train vs flight, side by side
| High-speed train | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest journey | ~5h 45m, on the fastest daily train | ~2h 15m in the air |
| Realistic door to door | ~7h – 9h with city transport at both ends | ~5h – 5h 30m once you add both airports and security |
| Standard fare, one way | 2nd class from ¥659 ≈ $92 | Economy from ¥700 ≈ $97, usually more |
| Top class, one way | Business seat ~¥2,311 ≈ $321 | — |
| Departures per day | 20+ | ~30 |
| First / last departure | ~06:10 / ~17:10 | roughly 07:00 / 22:00 |
| On-time record | Runs to time reliably; the daytime line passes Nanjing and Luoyang | Shanghai is one of China's most delay-prone airports; Xi'an's is ~40 km out |
Fares are indicative second-class / economy, one way, checked September 2026 at about ¥7.2 to US$1. Both move with the date and how far ahead you book.
Should you take the train or fly?
Fly unless you have a reason not to. It’s about 1,500 km. The fastest single G-train of the day does Shanghai Hongqiao to Xi’an North in about 5h 45m; most take 7–8 hours. Around 20 G-trains run each way, roughly 06:10 to 17:10, plus a handful of overnight services. Second class is about ¥660–775, first class about ¥1,195, a business seat about ¥2,310.
The flight is about 2h 15m in the air. Add Xi’an’s airport (~40 km out), security and the transfers at both ends and door to door comes to roughly 5–5.5 hours — still two to three hours quicker than the train, at a fare that’s similar if you book a week or two ahead.
Reasons to take the train anyway: you dislike flying, or don’t trust the schedule — high-speed trains run to time far more reliably than flights out of Shanghai; you want the daytime overland trip, which passes Nanjing, Hefei and Luoyang and lets you break the journey; or you take an overnight sleeper, about 15 hours in a berth from ¥430, and save a night’s hotel.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Daytime G-trains run Shanghai Hongqiao (Hongqiao) to Xi’an North (Xi’anbei). Hongqiao is on Shanghai metro lines 2, 10 and 17; Xi’an North is on Xi’an metro lines 2 and 4, about 20–30 minutes from the Bell Tower.
Overnight option. A few D-class sleeper trains leave Shanghai in the evening and reach Xi’an the next morning in about 15 hours. A second-class sleeper berth is roughly ¥430–490 — cheaper than a flight plus a hotel night, if the timing works.
Breaking the journey. The daytime line runs through Nanjing, Hefei and Luoyang. Luoyang, for the Longmen Grottoes, is a common stop on the way to or from Xi’an; buy it as two separate tickets.
Booking. Trip.com or the 12306 app, passport as the ID type, electronic ticket scanned at the gate. Fares and times shift through the year and by train type — confirm on 12306 or Trip.com when you book.
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FAQ
Common questions
How long is the high-speed train from Shanghai to Xi'an?
About 5 hours 45 minutes on the single fastest G-train of the day, and 7 to 8 hours on the rest. Around 20 high-speed trains run each way daily, plus a few overnight services.
How much does it cost?
Second class is about ¥660–775 (≈ $95–110). First class is around ¥1,195 and a business seat about ¥2,310. Overnight sleeper berths start near ¥430.
Should I fly instead?
For most people, yes. The flight is about 2h15 in the air and roughly 5–5.5 hours door to door — two to three hours less than the train — for a similar fare booked ahead. Take the train if you dislike flying, want the daytime overland trip, or use the overnight sleeper to save a hotel night.
Is there an overnight train?
Yes. About four D-class sleeper trains leave Shanghai in the evening and reach Xi'an the next morning, around 15 hours. A second-class sleeper berth is roughly ¥430–490 — less than a flight plus a hotel night if the timing suits.
Which stations do the trains use?
Daytime trains run Shanghai Hongqiao to Xi'an North. Both are on their city's metro; Xi'an North is about 20–30 minutes from the Bell Tower area.
Can I stop at Luoyang or Nanjing on the way?
Yes. The daytime route runs through Nanjing, Hefei and Luoyang. Luoyang, for the Longmen Grottoes, is a popular break between Shanghai and Xi'an — book it as two separate tickets.
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