The fastest high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing takes just 59 minutes—a nonstop Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway service from Hongqiao Station to Nanjing South Station. On weekdays there are more than 160 trains a day on this route, most taking 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, with second-class tickets around ¥138–170. Trains also depart from the old Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Station or Nanjing South Station, usually taking 1.5 to 2 hours. Driving covers about 300 km and takes just over three hours in smooth traffic.
The data below comes from 12306, queried on November 10, 2026 for all services on Wednesday, November 18; driving distances are calculated from the OpenStreetMap road network. Extra trains run during holidays—check the booking page for details.
Two lines, four stations: know the difference
There are two high-speed rail lines between Shanghai and Nanjing: the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Shanghai–Nanjing Intercity Railway. The Beijing–Shanghai line departs from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Nanjing South Station—it's the fastest option and carries the most long-distance trains. The intercity line departs from Shanghai Railway Station, stopping at Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang along the way, and mostly terminates at Nanjing Station. So "Shanghai to Nanjing" really depends on where you're departing from and which part of Nanjing you're heading to.
Nanjing South Station is in Yuhuatai District and is Nanjing's largest high-speed station, with five metro lines running beneath it. Take Line 1 straight to Xinjiekou, or Line S1 directly to Lukou Airport. Nanjing Station is the older railway station, north of Xuanwu Lake, served by Metro Lines 1 and 3. Xuanwu Lake is right outside the exit, making it closer if you're staying around Hunan Road or Gulou.
Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing South: Most trains, fastest options
On the day we checked, there were 169 trains from Hongqiao to Nanjing South, with the first at 6:09 and the last at 22:05. The fastest are nonstop Beijing-Shanghai high-speed trains like G10, G12, G94 and G100, taking just 59 minutes. A quarter of the services arrive within 1 hour 21 minutes, half within 1 hour 38 minutes, and those with many stops take over two hours. Second-class tickets range from ¥138 to ¥170, with faster nonstop trains costing more; first class is about ¥221–271, and business class about ¥458–592. There are also a few D-series trains with second class around ¥115, but they take over two hours.
Trains are spread fairly evenly throughout the day, with over ten departures per hour around 8:00, 9:00 and 4:00 PM, dropping off noticeably after 8:00 PM, with the last train around 22:05. If you plan a same-day round trip, you'll have plenty of options leaving Hongqiao in the morning and returning from Nanjing South around 7:00 or 8:00 PM. In the other direction, there are over 160 trains from Nanjing South to Hongqiao that day, starting as early as 6:14, with the last around 22:51. Sampled second-class fares are about ¥104–141.
Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing and Nanjing South stations: Best if you're staying north of downtown
The older Shanghai Railway Station is in northern Jing'an District, served by Metro Lines 1, 3 and 4. On the day we checked, there were 33 high-speed and D-series trains from Shanghai Station to Nanjing Station, running from 5:45 to 21:50. The fastest takes 1 hour 36 minutes, half arrive within two hours, and second-class high-speed tickets are about ¥141–149. There are also a few D-series and regular trains that take longer but cost less — for example, one D-series train that day had second class for about ¥55 but took over two hours. Another 46 trains run from Shanghai Station to Nanjing South Station, with the fastest taking 1 hour 9 minutes and second class around ¥128–171.
If you're staying near Nanjing Road, The Bund or Jing'an Temple, departing from Shanghai Station usually saves time compared to heading out to Hongqiao; if you're in Hongqiao, Xujiahui or Minhang, use Hongqiao Station instead. Once in Nanjing, Nanjing Station is closer to Xuanwu Lake, the Nanjing Museum and the Presidential Palace, while Nanjing South Station is more convenient for Confucius Temple, Zhonghuamen Gate, Niushou Mountain, or connecting to Lukou Airport.
The Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway stop at different stations
Although both lines connect Shanghai and Nanjing, they stop at different stations along the way. The intermediate stops on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway are mostly on the outskirts of cities: Kunshan South, Suzhou North, Wuxi East, Changzhou North, Danyang North, and Zhenjiang South. It's faster, but if you get off midway to explore a city, you'll need to take the metro or a taxi into town. The Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway, on the other hand, stops at the older train stations in Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang, most of which are near the city center, making it more convenient for visiting Suzhou Old Town, Huishan in Wuxi, or Xijin Ferry in Zhenjiang.
So if you're just going point-to-point to Nanjing, choose the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway departing from Hongqiao. If you plan to stop in one or two cities along the way, pick a train departing from Shanghai Railway Station on the Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway, or book the intermediate city as a separate leg. Trains on both lines are displayed together on 12306, so check the station names carefully to tell them apart.
How far is it from Shanghai to Nanjing, and how long does it take to drive?
If you're driving, the road distance from People's Square to Xinjiekou in Nanjing is about 299 km, mostly on the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. Even with smooth traffic, it takes over three hours. The Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway is one of the busiest in the Yangtze River Delta, and the Suzhou and Wuxi sections often get congested during morning and evening rush hours and holidays. Leaving Shanghai on Friday evening or returning on Sunday afternoon could easily take four or five hours.
The advantage of driving is that you can link up cities along the way, such as stopping in Suzhou or Wuxi. Once in Nanjing, parking around Xinjiekou and Confucius Temple is tight, and even harder to find on holidays, so it's best to park at your hotel and use the metro around the city. Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas should also note that foreign driver's licenses cannot be used directly in mainland China—you'll need to obtain a mainland driver's license or a temporary driving permit first.
After arriving at Nanjing South Station or Nanjing Station
Nanjing South Station is a huge hub. After exiting the high-speed train, follow the metro signs downstairs to find Line 1 to Xinjiekou, Line 3 to Confucius Temple, and Line S1 to the airport. When crowds are heavy at the exit, taxi lines can be long, so take the metro whenever your destination is on a metro line. Nanjing Station is smaller; Xuanwu Lake and the Ming City Wall are just a short walk from the exit, so you can drop your bags and stroll along the lake.
The two stations are directly connected by Metro Lines 1 and 3, so don't panic if you board the wrong one. When heading back to Shanghai, choose your station based on where you're staying: if you're in Gulou or north of Xinjiekou, Nanjing Station is more convenient; if you're near Confucius Temple or Zhonghuamen, Nanjing South Station is closer.
Tips for buying tickets and entering the station
You can book real-name tickets on 12306 using a passport, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or Home Return Permit. Bring the original document to scan at the gate or for manual verification. For passport registration and payment steps, see How foreigners buy China high-speed train tickets. When searching by city for "Shanghai–Nanjing," the results show several departure and arrival station combinations. The most common mistake is confusing "Nanjing" with "Nanjing South," so double-check before paying.
Buying tickets on the spot is usually fine on weekdays, but book early during weekend return peaks or public holidays. Many non-stop trains on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway are long-distance services bound for Beijing, and second-class seats sell out quickly on holidays. Consider first class, or choose a train that makes more stops and departs about ten minutes later. The waiting area at Hongqiao Station is very long, with gates numbered along both sides, so check the big screen for your gate as soon as you enter.
If you're traveling with kids, children under 6 who don't need a seat ride free—just remember to add them when booking. Children aged 6 to 14 need a child ticket. The trip takes one to two hours, so second class is comfortable enough. If you prefer a quieter ride, choose first class, where the two-seat rows offer more space, especially when traveling with older family members.
Is flying worth it? How to plan early and late trips
The two cities are about 300 km apart. High-speed trains take one to two hours, and the stations are right in the city center. Once you factor in travel to the airport and security checks, flying isn't any faster, so it's usually not worth considering. What really needs planning is the start and end of your day: if you need to catch a morning meeting or arrive when attractions open, trains leave Hongqiao after 6 am and reach Nanjing South before 8 am. For evening returns from Nanjing to Shanghai, trains become less frequent after 9 pm, with the last one around 10 pm—miss it and you'll have to wait until the next day.
If you're heading straight from Nanjing to Shanghai Pudong Airport for an international flight, take the high-speed train to Hongqiao, then transfer to the Airport Link Line to Pudong. Allow at least four hours for the whole trip. If you have lots of luggage or an early flight, staying near Hongqiao or Pudong Airport the night before will make things much easier.
How to plan a day trip or a two-day itinerary
If you only have one day, you'll only have time for one area of Nanjing. A smooth itinerary: depart Hongqiao around 7 or 8 am, arrive at Nanjing South Station after 9 am, take the metro to the Zhongshan Scenic Area, visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in the morning, and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum or Meiling Palace in the afternoon. Head back to the city in the evening for dinner and night views around Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River, then catch a train back to Shanghai from Nanjing South Station before 8 pm. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum has over 300 steps and distances within the Zhongshan Scenic Area are long, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Save your evening for Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River: after dark, lights illuminate both banks, making it perfect for a boat ride or a stroll along the river. Confucius Temple isn't far from Nanjing South Station—just a few stops on Metro Line 3—so it's easy to manage your time and head back to the station for your train after enjoying the night views.
With two days, spend the second day at the Nanjing Museum, Presidential Palace, or head south to Niushou Mountain. The plane trees and ginkgos in Nanjing are beautiful in autumn and winter; for weather and clothing tips, see Nanjing November weather and what to wear. If you fly into Nanjing and then travel to Shanghai, see Nanjing Lukou Airport to Nanjing South Station for directions; for getting from the airport into Shanghai, see Pudong and Hongqiao airports to downtown Shanghai.
To avoid crowds, don't visit Nanjing during National Day or Spring Festival—long lines that keep you out of Confucius Temple and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum are common during these holidays. Mid-to-late November through early December is the best time to see Nanjing's plane trees and ginkgos, with far fewer visitors than during the holidays. For winter weather and clothing tips, see Nanjing December weather and what to wear.
Stop by Suzhou, Wuxi and Zhenjiang along the way
The Shanghai-Nanjing intercity railway stops at Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, so many travelers link Nanjing with these cities: depart from Shanghai to Suzhou first, then Wuxi or Zhenjiang, and finally Nanjing. Each high-speed rail leg takes between half an hour and an hour. For the Shanghai-to-Suzhou leg, see How to get from Shanghai to Suzhou. Jinshan Temple and Xijin Ferry in Zhenjiang are close to Zhenjiang Station, making them ideal for a half-day stop on your way to Nanjing.
The biggest hassle on a multi-city trip is hauling luggage from one train to the next—moving bags between hotels gets exhausting fast. You can leave your large suitcases at your first hotel and carry just a small overnight bag, or hand the intercity travel over to a private car and decide yourself where to stop along the way.
When a private car makes more sense
If you're traveling solo or as a pair with just backpacks, the high-speed train wins on both time and cost. A private car usually makes more sense in these situations: larger groups—for six people, high-speed train tickets plus taxis at both ends already come close to the price of a private car; older companions who have trouble walking, since major stations often involve hundreds of meters of walking and queuing; when you'd rather not haul suitcases between hotels yourself; or if you plan to stop for half a day in Suzhou, Wuxi or Zhenjiang along the way.
For vehicle types, travel times and pricing for private cars between the two cities, see our article Shanghai to Nanjing private car. For continuous car service within Nanjing once you arrive, see Nanjing private car. To really dive into Nanjing's historical sites, let Nanjing custom private tours arrange your itinerary.
Ink-wash Jiangnan 5 days 4 nights: Nanjing, Wuxi, Wuzhen, Hangzhou, Shanghai
Arrive in Nanjing and depart from Shanghai on this 5-day private tour across six destinations: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Qinhuai River, Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, Nianhua Bay in Wuxi, Panmen in Suzhou, Nanxun, East Gate of Wuzhen, a boat ride on West Lake and tea plantation photo session in Hangzhou, and The Bund in Shanghai. Includes transportation, a Chinese- or English-speaking guide, 4 nights of hotel accommodation and entrance tickets.
Jianghuai Water Charm 6 Days 5 Nights: Nanjing City Wall, Xuanwu Lake, Presidential Palace, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple + Huai'an Zhou Enlai Hometown, Wu Cheng'en Former Residence, Hexia Ancient Town + Shanghai City God Temple, Yu Garden In-depth Tour
A 6-day, 5-night private tour starting in Nanjing and ending in Shanghai: Presidential Palace, Nanjing Museum and Laomendong; Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall and Former Residence, Hexia Ancient Town, Wu Cheng'en Former Residence and the Canal Transport Museum in Huai'an; Yu Garden and The Bund in Shanghai. Includes transportation, guide, hotels and admission tickets, with an English-speaking guide available.
Jinling Dream 3 Days 2 Nights: Niushou Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Great Bao'en Temple, Confucius Temple and Museum 3-day tour
Three days to explore Nanjing at a relaxed pace: Great Bao'en Temple, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Niushou Mountain, Confucius Temple, Presidential Palace, Six Dynasties Museum and Laomendong, with the final half day at Nanjing Museum. This private tour includes airport transfers, vehicle, guide, 2 nights' hotel and admission tickets, with an English-speaking guide available.
FAQs
How long is the high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing?
Nonstop trains take 59 minutes from Hongqiao to Nanjing South, while those with more stops take nearly two hours. From Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station, the ride usually takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours. These times are based on November 18 schedules—check 12306 for real-time info when booking.
How much is the high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing?
Second-class seats from Hongqiao to Nanjing South cost ¥138–170, with nonstop express trains being the most expensive. Tickets from Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station run about ¥141–149, while first-class seats are around ¥221–271. A few slower D-trains are cheaper.
What are the fastest trains from Hongqiao to Nanjing South?
Taking November 18 as an example, over a dozen trains make the trip in about an hour. Most are nonstop G-series Beijing-Shanghai high-speed trains, such as G8 at 8:00, G10 at 9:00, G12 at 10:00, G20 at 14:00, and G24 at 16:00—many depart near the top of the hour. Since these are often long-distance trains heading to Beijing, second-class seats sell out fast during holidays, so book early.
How many high-speed trains run from Shanghai to Nanjing each day?
From Hongqiao to Nanjing South alone, there are 169 trains on November 18. Adding services from Shanghai Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South, plus regular trains, over 300 trains run between the two cities daily, so you rarely need to worry about missing out on a ticket on weekdays.
What time is the last high-speed train from Nanjing to Shanghai?
On November 18, the last train from Nanjing South to Shanghai Hongqiao departs around 22:51, while the last from Nanjing Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station leaves around 20:35. Services drop off noticeably after 9 PM, so book early if you plan to take a late train.
Traveling from Shanghai to Nanjing: should I depart from Hongqiao or Shanghai Railway Station?
It depends on where you're staying and which part of Nanjing you're heading to. If you're in Jing'an or near Nanjing Road, Shanghai Railway Station is closer. If you're in Hongqiao, Xuhui, or Minhang, Hongqiao Station is more convenient and has the most trains. Once in Nanjing, choose Nanjing Railway Station for Xuanwu Lake, or Nanjing South Station for Confucius Temple, Zhonghuamen, or connecting to Lukou Airport.
How far is it to drive from Shanghai to Nanjing?
It's about 299 km from People's Square to Xinjiekou via the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. The drive takes just over three hours in light traffic, but often four to five hours on weekends and holidays.