How to Travel from Beijing to Shanghai: By Flight or Train?

After realizing your China Great Wall hiking trip in or around Beijing and visiting the capital’s magnificent imperial historical sites, many travelers like to make a contrast tour in China’s most modernized metropolis - Shanghai, where also offers very convenient transport out of the country. Here China Discovery gives you the most detailed and useful Beijing to Shanghai transportation guide to help you better plan a Beijing Shanghai tour. Check the time, departure and arrival place, cost, frequency, highlights and choose based on your own preference and itinerary.

Distance from Beijing to Shanghai

Beijing lies in the North China while Shanghai is located on the estuary of the Yangtze River, southeast of Beijing. The flight distance between Beijing and Shanghai is about 1,100 km (683.5 mi), the train travel distance is about 1,318 km (818.9 mi) to 1,477 km (917.7 mi) and the driving distance is about 1,200 km (745.6 mi) for around 14 hours. Generally, transportation from Beijing to Shanghai, two of the top tourist destinations in China, is very convenient and easy. Taking a flight or a bullet train are the two main ways to travel from Beijing to Xian. Keep reading to have more tour traffic details.

Beijing Shanghai High Speed Rail

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai by Flight

Beijing to Shanghai Flight Time: about 2 hours

From: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

To: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Flying from Beijing to Shanghai within 2 hours short is undoubtedly the fastest, most convenient and comfortable way, especially when you have a tight schedule or travel with big luggage. There are over 40 non-stop flights departing from Beijing to Shanghai every day, so you have plenty of choices. All the Beijing to Shanghai flights are arranged between about 07:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, and are offered by different Chinese airlines, all are experienced and reliable, such as China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, etc.

Transfer Tips: Beijing Capital International Airport lies in northeast of Beijing and it takes around 1 hour to get there by taxi. Beijing Daxing International Airport is located nearly 50 km south suburb, which takes at least 1 hour’s drive from the city center.

Most Recommended Beijing Shanghai Tours (by Flight):

✔6 Days Beijing Shanghai Highlights Tour

✔7 Days Best of Elegant China Tour (Beijing/Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai)

Beijing to Shanghai Flight Schedules:

Departure Airport	Arrival Airport	Flight Frequency	Duration	Detailed Flight Schedule
Beijing Capital International Airport Beijing Daxing International Airport	Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Shanghai Pudong International Airport	about 40 flights per day	about 2h	Shanghai to Beijing Real-Time Flight Schedules

Note: The above flight schedules are listed for reference only, for more details please feel free to contact our private consultant.

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai by Train

Train travel becomes more popular in China in recent years, especially the high speed trains connecting most tourist destinations and offering a fast, scenic, clean and punctual train ride than before. There are many high speed bullet trains and a few normal-speed overnight trains available for Beijing Shanghai train travelers.

1. Beijing to Shanghai High Speed Bullet Train (Top Recommended)

Train Type & Running Speed: G Trains, 300~350 km/h (Fuxing Trains)

Train Time: about 4.5~6 hours

Departure & Arrival Stations: Beijing South Railway Station - Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Formally opened in 2011, Beijing Shanghai High Speed Railway has been one of the earliest and one of the busiest high speed rails in China. It has delivered more than 1 billion passengers. And this section often runs the most advanced and newest trains. Every day, there are over 40 high speed trains leaving Beijing to Shanghai, passing Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing, Suzhou and some other cities in Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu Provinces. The smaller the train number, the fewer stopovers you will have. On all the Beijing to Shanghai high speed bullet trains, three kinds of seats are provided: Second Class Seat (the cheapest), First Class Seat (medium-priced) and Business Class Seat (most expensive and luxury).

Most Popular Beijing Shanghai Tour (by high speed train):

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai High Speed Train Tour

Some Beijing to Shanghai High Speed Bullet Train Schedules:

Departure Station	Arrival Station	High-Speed Train Frequency	High-Speed Train Duration	Detailed Train Schedule
Beijing South Railway Station	Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station	over 40 trains per day	4.5-6.5h	Shanghai to Beijing Real-Time Train Schedules

Note: The above train schedules are listed for reference only. You can click Beijing to Shanghai High Speed Train Schedules to get all real-time train information.

2. Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Train

Train Type & Running Speed: Z & T Trains, about 120 km/h

Train Time: nearly 15 ~ 19 hours

Departure & Arrival Stations: Beijing Railway Station - Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station

There still has 3 normal speed overnight trains running from Beijing to Shanghai each day. The earliest one departs from Beijing nearly twelve at noon and costs the longest 19 hours to arrival at Shanghai Railway Station in next morning. The rest two both leave in the evening and get to Shanghai in the afternoon of the second day.

Four kinds of tickets are sold: Hard Sleeper, Soft Sleeper, Soft Seat and Hard Seat. The overnight train ticket is sold much cheaper than high speed trains. And a sleeper berth is more recommended because you will spend one night on board, sitting over 10 hours is quite painful.

Beijing to Shanghai Overnight Train Schedules:

Departure Station	Arrival Station	Normal Train Frequency	Normal Train Duration	Beijing to Shanghai Real-Time Train Schedules
Beijing Railway Station	Shanghai Railway Station Shanghai South Railway Station	about 3 trains per day	15-19h	Shanghai to Beijing Real-Time Train Schedules

How to Plan Your Beijing Shanghai Tour

Beijing, the massive capital city of China for centuries, offers you much to discover and explore. You can visit the Forbidden City to witness the history of mighty imperial ancient China, hike the incredible Great Wall to get a lifetime memory, or wander along the traditional hutongs to experience the authentic local life...Usually, 2 to 4 days are needed to have an essential trip in Beijing which will cover the most popular attractions - Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Hutongs, etc. Now, it is available to have 144 hours Visa-Free Transit in Beijing, and you can go for a Beijing trip to explore all the stunning attractions in the city even without applying for a visa.

If you have more days, you can go for an in-depth Great Wall hiking or photography, and explore more hidden attractions in the city.

Useful Links: Beijing Shanghai Tours / Top Beijing Tours / Things to Do in Beijing

✔ 2 Days Beijing Best Highlights Tour
✔ 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour (Visa Free)
✔ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai

Beijing and Shanghai are two most popular tourist destinations in China. They are two of the places you must go, if you visit China for the first time, both having diverse things to do, high-quality accommodation, amazing food, featured cultural activities. You can travel either from Beijing to Shanghai or from Shanghai to Beijing. In Beijing, you can hike the Great Walls, visit the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and many other must-see attractions. While in Shanghai, you need at least 2~3 days to visit the Must-visit sites including the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center in Lujiazhui, various historical architectures, Yu Garden, City God Temple along the Bund and busy Nanjing Road, etc. Local culture lovers can use one extra day to visit Tianzifang, Zhujiajiao Water Town, while family travelers can have fun in Shanghai Disney Resort. Meanwhile, you can also experience Maglev Train and energetic nightlife, taste diverse snacks to make your Shanghai tour interesting and memorable.

Useful Links: Popular Shanghai Tours / Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tours / Shanghai Huangshan Tours

✔ 6 Days Amazing Beijing Shanghai Tour (by High Speed Train)
✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Highlights Tour (by Flight)

Travel Beijing, Shanghai, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. Besides Beijing and Shanghai, you can use 2 or 3 days to visit the main attractions in Xian including the incredible man-made wonder, the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Muslim Quarter, and Xian Ancient City Wall. Or, with more time in Shanghai, you can extend the trip to the nearby cities of Shanghai such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan Mountain, and further to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery.

✔ 8 Days Best of China Tour
✔ 8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Tour by Flight
✔ 7 Days Best of Elegant China Tour with Water Town

Beijing Shanghai Tour with China Discovery

Our Tailor-made Group Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing Beijing Tour with China Discovery

Clients from USA Visited Forbidden City Best Shanghai Tour with China Discovery

Paul & His Wife Visited the Bund Shanghai Tour with China Discovery

Timothy Family in Yu Garden

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Beijing Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in China.

Keep Reading

Recommended Beijing Shanghai Tours

Top 3 Beijing Shanghai tours chosen by most customers to explore Beijing Shanghai in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

6 Days Beijing to Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train

Beijing / Shanghai

6 Days Beijing to Shanghai Highlights Tour (by Flight)

Beijing / Shanghai

6 Days Shanghai to Beijing Tour by Flight

Shanghai / Beijing

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip