There are 254 pairs of high-speed trains running on the Shanghai-Nanjing route so it's very convenient to take a train between Shanghai and Nanjing. A high-speed train trip between the two cities takes only about 1.5 hours to 2 hours.
The trains depart frequently and it's very convenient for you to adjust your schedule. The time interval between services is 5 minutes at the shortest. If you miss your train, you can easily get a replacement ticket at a ticket window and catch a train soon after.
- Distance: 301 kilometers (187 miles)
- Shortest duration: 59 minutes
- Number of trains: 302 pairs of trains (254high-speed trains, 48 ordinary trains)
Shanghai-Nanjing High-Speed Train Schedules
There are different terminals in each city for high-speed trains. The price differs for different routes; please see below.
Two Shanghai Terminals:
- Shanghai Railway Station ("上海 Shanghai" on tickets)
- Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station ("上海虹桥 Shanghai Hongqiao" on tickets)
Two Nanjing Terminals:
- Nanjing Railway Station ("南京 Nanjing" on tickets)
- Nanjing South Railway Station ("南京南 Nanjing Nan" on tickets)
The tables below are only for your reference. If you want up-to-date schedules, you may use the search tool at the top of this page, or search on China Highlights Train Ticket Service.
Shanghai to Nanjing High-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on March 1st, 2024)
| Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing South | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| G1970 | 06:10 | 07:38 | 1h 28m |
| G1974 | 07:17 | 08:40 | 1h 23m |
| G152 | 16:19 | 17:33 | 1h 14m |
| G7314 | 20:37 | 22:37 | 2h m |
| Shanghai to Nanjing | |||
| Train Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| C3852 | 07:50 | 11:50 | 4h |
| G7006 | 09:00 | 10:41 | 1h 41m |
| G7016 | 14:00 | 15:41 | 1h 41m |
*There are 235 pairs of high-speed trains running on this route every day. Trains in the table are some of them. Please note that they depart from/arrive at different train stations in both cities of Shanghai and Nanjing.
Nanjing to Shanghai High-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on March 1st, 2024)
| Nanjing South to Shanghai Hongqiao | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| G7393 | 08:02 | 10:59 | 2h 57m |
| G367 | 11:29 | 12:31 | 1h 2m |
| G7 | 13:26 | 14:35 | 1h 9m |
| G15 | 17:24 | 18:33 | 1h 9m |
| Nanjing to Shanghai | |||
| Train Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| G7003 | 08:00 | 09:40 | 1h 40m |
| G7051 | 12:06 | 14:12 | 2h 6m |
| G7025 | 19:00 | 22:40 | 1h 40m |
*There are 238 daily high-speed trains, departing from 03:28 to 22:33. Check up-to-date bullet train schedules from Nanjing to Shanghai.
Comparison of Trains, Buses, and Flights
We recommend that you take a bullet train from Shanghai to Nanjing or from Nanjing to Shanghai. There are also buses and flights in service between these two cities. See the table below for the comparisons:
| Vehicle | Duration | Cheapest Fare | Distance from City Center (by taxi) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Terminals | Nanjing Terminals | |||
| Train | 1 – 3 hours | ¥56 ($8) | Shanghai Hongqiao Station (50 min); Shanghai Station (15 min) | Nanjing Station (15 min); Nanjing South Station (25 min) |
| Bus | 4 hours | ¥88 ($13) | Shanghai South Long Distance Bus Station (35 min) | Nanjing Hongshan Bus Station (15 min) |
| Flight | 1 hour | ¥410 ($62) | Shanghai Pudong Intl Airport (50 min) | Nanjing Lukou Intl Airport (1 h) |
Choose a Suitable Train to Save Time and Money
1. Choose a train route that saves your time and money when taking a taxi to the city center, e.g. G7012 train, departing at 12:05 and arriving at 13:45, 1 hour and 40 minutes' duration, from the centrally located Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station.
2. You are recommended to choose a train that allows you to arrive at the train station 1.5 hours before its departure. This is because the stations in Shanghai and Nanjing are very large and it takes time to navigate and negotiate the security checks and lines.
How to Book the Tickets
Valid ID is required to buy a train ticket and board a train.Valid ID is required when buying a ticket AND boarding a train:
- Foreign passengers: Passport or Travel Permit
- Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passengers: Mainland Travel Permit
You can book train tickets online easily through China Highlights Train Ticket Service. We provide detailed and helpful English guidance, and a 24/7 service. You only need to complete three steps to get your train tickets.
Also, see How to Collect Train Tickets After Booking Online or see our more detailed guide for How to Buy Train Tickets in China.
Transport to Train Stations
Read your tickets to make sure which train station to board at and ensure you get off at the right station!
Shanghai Railway Station
- By bus: 329, 573, 741, 822, 844, 955, airport line 5
- By subway: Line 1; Line 2; Line 3
See our transportation guide for Shanghai Railway Station.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
- By bus: airport shuttle bus, Hongqiao Line 6, Hongqiao Line 7, Hongqiao Line 10
- By subway: Line 1; Line 2; Line 3; Line 10
See our transportation guide for Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.
Read more information in Shanghai city's transportation guide.
Nanjing Railway Station
- By bus: 36, 141, Y17, 206, 207, 208, 32, 64, 536, Y1, 510, 117, 17, 44
- By sbuway: Line 1; Line 3
Boarding gates of Nanjing South Railway StationSee our transportation guide for Nanjing Railway Station.
Nanjing South Railway Station
- By bus: D12, D16, Y16, 19, Y27, 27, 84, 129, 190, 719, 791, 792
- By subway: Line 1; Line 3; S1
See our transportation guide for Nanjing South Railway Station.
Read more information in Nanjing city's transportation guide.
Western-Style Toilets Are Available on High-Speed Trains!
Western-style toilets are set at the end of each carriage and are equipped with toilet paper. However, they may occasionally run out of toilet paper, so you are recommended to take your own, just in case.
China's high-speed trains are all equipped with the same modern and new facilities. Free boiled/cold water is available on Chinese trains.
See more introductions to China's High-Speed Trains.
Train Travel Ideas on the Shanghai-Nanjing Route
Zhujiajiao Water Town at ShanghaiIf you are looking for high-speed train travel ideas using this route, please see our most popular tour below, for inspiration:
- Shanghai and Its Neighbors Tour by High-Speed Train - a 5-Day tour to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Nanjing
If you want to adjust the itinerary, we can tailor-make it for you. We can help you arrange your tour according to your interests and requirements.