The fastest high-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou takes just 21 minutes. There are over 60 trains a day from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to Suzhou North Station, most taking about 23 minutes. From Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, there are over 100 trains daily—the fastest takes 25 minutes, and most take just over half an hour. Second-class seats cost around ¥37–44. Driving from People's Square to Guanqian Street is about 93 km and takes just over an hour without traffic. Suzhou is close to Shanghai, making a day trip easy—the key is choosing the right stations at both ends.
Schedules, travel times, and fares were checked on 12306 on November 10, 2026, for November 18 (Wednesday). Driving distances are based on OpenStreetMap data. Additional trains may run on weekends and holidays; check 12306 for the schedule on your travel date.
Which station combinations connect the two cities?
There are so many trains between Shanghai and Suzhou that choosing can get confusing. Based on where you're staying and where you're headed, three combinations are most common: Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station, and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station. In addition, since the Shanghai–Suzhou–Huzhou Railway opened, there are also direct trains from Hongqiao to Suzhou South Railway Station in Wujiang, taking about 26 minutes.
Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station: both downtown, the most popular option
Shanghai Railway Station is in Jing'an District, while Suzhou Railway Station sits just north of the old town—both are right in the city. On November 18, there were 100 trains from Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, including 74 high-speed and bullet trains running from 5:45 am to 10:18 pm. The fastest takes 25 minutes, and half arrive within 32 minutes. A second-class high-speed seat costs about ¥37–44; some bullet trains are cheaper at ¥20-something to ¥30-something. Regular trains are also available—they take longer but cost less.
Suzhou Railway Station is served by Metro Lines 2 and 4. A taxi from the station to the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road or Guanqian Street usually takes about ten minutes, and the moat area south of the station is a nice place for a stroll after dropping off your bags. If you're staying in the old town or heading to Shantang Street, this combination is the easiest. Returning to Shanghai works the same way: there are 103 trains from Suzhou Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station that day, with the first at 5:17 am and the last at 10:32 pm, so you can easily have dinner in Suzhou before heading back to Shanghai.
If you're on a tight budget and have plenty of time, look at the regular trains departing from Shanghai Railway Station. That day, more than twenty K-series and other regular trains ran from Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, mostly taking 50 minutes to an hour, with hard seats costing only about ¥14.5. Hard-seat cars get crowded, so they suit backpackers best; if you're traveling with older relatives or bulky luggage, high-speed trains are far more comfortable. Regular and high-speed trains appear together on 12306—you can tell them apart by the letter before the train number: G, D and C are high-speed and bullet trains, while K, T and Z are regular trains.
Hongqiao Station to Suzhou North Station: the fastest, but Suzhou North is in the northern suburbs
There are 67 trains from Hongqiao to Suzhou North Station each day, all high-speed. The fastest takes 21 minutes, most take about 23 minutes, and a second-class seat costs around ¥37–42. Most of these are long-distance trains on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, so they're fast and punctual. The downside is that Suzhou North Station is in Xiangcheng District, quite far from the old town—you'll need to transfer to Metro Line 2 or take a taxi to get into the city.
If you're landing at Hongqiao Airport or already staying in the Hongqiao area, this combination works best. Terminal 2 of Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station share the same transport hub, so you can walk from the plane to the train station. For the return trip, there are 75 trains from Suzhou North Station to Hongqiao daily, with the last one departing around 23:34.
Hongqiao Station – Suzhou Station & Suzhou South Station
There are 52 trains daily from Hongqiao to Suzhou Station, taking 25 to 50 minutes, with second-class seats around ¥31–41—ideal if you're staying near Hongqiao but heading to Suzhou's old town. There are 33 trains from Hongqiao to Suzhou South Station, mostly taking 26 minutes, but Suzhou South Station is in Lili Town, Wujiang District, a 40- to 50-minute drive from the old town. It only makes sense if you're going to Tongli, Lili, or transferring to Hangzhou. Details about Suzhou South Station are covered in How to Get from Suzhou to Hangzhou.
Pick your station based on where you stay in Shanghai
For the Shanghai side, just choose the station closest to your hotel. Shanghai Railway Station is served by Metro Lines 1, 3, and 4. If you're staying near Nanjing Road, People's Square, Jing'an Temple, or North Bund, Shanghai Station is your closest option, and trains from there arrive at Suzhou Station right in the old town. Hongqiao Railway Station is served by Metro Lines 2, 10, and 17. If you're staying in Hongqiao, Changning, Minhang, or Qingpu, or just landed at Hongqiao Airport, board at Hongqiao. Very few trains to Suzhou depart from Shanghai South Railway Station, so even if you're staying in southern Xuhui, Hongqiao is usually the better choice.
If you're departing from Lujiazui or Pudong, take Metro Line 2 west to People's Square and transfer to Line 1 for Shanghai Station, or ride Line 2 all the way to Hongqiao Station. Travel times are similar, so just pick whichever has better train schedules. If you're catching an early train, remember to factor in the metro ride from your hotel to the station—transfers in Shanghai often take longer than you'd expect.
For Jinji Lake, Wujiang and Kunshan water towns, choose a different station
Suzhou covers a large area, so for destinations outside the old town, a different station may be more convenient. For Jinji Lake, Suzhou Center or hotels in the Industrial Park, take the train to Suzhou Yuanqu Station. On November 18, there are 12 trains from Shanghai Station to Suzhou Yuanqu Station, taking 24 to 34 minutes, with second-class seats around ¥28–38. For water towns in Wujiang like Tongli and Lili, take a train from Hongqiao or Shanghai South Station to Suzhou South Station, arriving in just over 20 minutes.
Zhouzhuang, Jinxi and Qiandeng are in Kunshan, and high-speed trains only go to Kunshan South Station. From there you still need to transfer to a bus or taxi, which is a hassle if you have luggage. Many travelers visiting these water towns along with Suzhou's old town book a private car to link them all in one day. For highlights of Zhouzhuang, see Where is Zhouzhuang and is it worth visiting?.
Getting to attractions after arriving in Suzhou
Several Suzhou Metro stations in the old town are very handy: Line 4 has Beisita Station, Line 2 has Shilu Station and Shantang Street Station, Line 1 has Leqiao Station and Lindun Road Station, and the Humble Administrator's Garden and Suzhou Museum area has Zhuozhengyuan Subo Station. From Suzhou Railway Station, take Line 4 south a few stops to enter the old town; the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden and Pingjiang Road are all nearby. Hanshan Temple and Lingering Garden can also be reached by metro plus walking. For details, see Hanshan Temple tickets, opening hours and how to get there and How to get to Lingering Garden in Suzhou.
The gardens are close to each other, but streets in the old town are narrow with many one-way roads, so taxis often get stuck in traffic. For distances of two or three kilometers, walking plus the metro is usually faster. For tips on choosing where to stay, see Where to stay in Suzhou.
How far is it from Shanghai to Suzhou, and how long does it take to drive?
Based on the OpenStreetMap road network, driving from People's Square to Guanqian Street in Suzhou is about 93 km, mostly via the Shanghai–Nanjing Expressway. With smooth traffic, it takes just over an hour. The straight-line distance between the two cities is about 80 km, so if you're wondering about the "distance from Suzhou to Shanghai," figure on a little over 90 km by car.
The Shanghai–Nanjing Expressway is one of the busiest in China. The sections leaving Shanghai and entering Suzhou often get congested during morning and evening rush hours and on weekend afternoons, with travel times of 1.5 to 2 hours being common. In Suzhou's old town, parking near Humble Administrator's Garden and Pingjiang Road is tight, and lots often fill up on holidays. If you're heading to the old town, park at your hotel or outside the old town and walk or take the metro in. Foreign driver's licenses aren't valid for driving in mainland China—you'll need to obtain a Chinese license or a temporary driving permit first.
Going straight to Suzhou from Pudong Airport
If you want to head straight to Suzhou after landing at Pudong Airport, there are two common options. First, take the Airport Link Line to Hongqiao Railway Station, then transfer to a high-speed train to Suzhou North Station or Suzhou Railway Station; the whole trip takes about two hours. Second, take a direct coach from the Pudong Airport long-distance bus station. The Shanghai airport website lists 12 daily departures to Suzhou Industrial Park Station and the north square of Suzhou Railway Station, running from 9:10 to 19:50, taking about 2.5 hours, with tickets at ¥99. For all the ways to get from Pudong Airport into downtown Shanghai and Hongqiao, see Pudong and Hongqiao airports to downtown Shanghai.
If you have a lot of luggage, a big group, or a late-night arrival when buses and trains are no longer convenient, booking a car directly from the airport to your hotel in Suzhou is much easier.
How to plan a day trip from Shanghai to Suzhou
A Suzhou day tour works well from Shanghai: leave Shanghai Railway Station around 8:00 am, arrive at Suzhou Railway Station before 9:00 am, and head straight to Humble Administrator's Garden—the first hour after opening is the least crowded. Have lunch near Pingjiang Road at noon, visit the Suzhou Museum or Lion Grove Garden in the afternoon, then go to Shantang Street or Pingjiang Road at dusk to see the canal lights come on. Take the 8:00 or 9:00 pm train back to Shanghai from Suzhou Railway Station. The Suzhou Museum requires advance booking, and slots fill up fast during holidays.
Trains between Suzhou Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station run frequently, so you don't need to lock in your return too tightly—book one on 12306 in advance, and if an earlier train is available when you get to the station, you can change your ticket. For tips on buying Suzhou souvenirs, Su embroidery, and tea, see Suzhou souvenirs. For Suzhou's weather and what to wear in each season, see Suzhou weather and clothing.
Holidays require separate planning. During National Day, May Day, and Chinese New Year, popular gardens like Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden cap visitor numbers, so tickets must be booked in advance through official channels. Exits at Suzhou Railway Station and streets in the old town also get very crowded. In mid-to-late November, Tianping Mountain is the place for red maple leaves; weekends bring heavy crowds and traffic, and the scenic area runs special shuttle buses. For route details, see How to get to Tianping Mountain. Avoiding weekends and leaving earlier makes for a much better experience.
If you only have one free day in Shanghai and are torn between Suzhou and a water town, start with How to choose a day tour around Shanghai: Suzhou is best for gardens and museums, while Wuzhen and Xitang focus more on water town night views. Getting there differs too—high-speed rail is easiest for Suzhou, while water towns usually require a bus or private car.
Some travelers ask: should I stay overnight in Suzhou? If you're only visiting Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, and the Suzhou Museum, a round trip in one day is plenty. But if you want to add Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, and the Shantang Street night view, or visit Zhouzhuang or Tongli the next day, staying overnight is far more relaxed—you can pick your hotel area based on where you're headed the following day.
Tips for traveling with seniors and kids
The ride from Shanghai to Suzhou is short. The most tiring part isn't the train itself, but the stations and transfers at both ends: lining up for security at Shanghai Station or Hongqiao Station, and queuing for a taxi after exiting Suzhou Station. If you're traveling with older relatives, avoid the Friday evening and Sunday afternoon peaks, and look for elevators when entering and exiting stations. Children under 6 who don't occupy a seat travel free—just declare them when booking. The classical gardens in Suzhou's old town have lots of stone paths and raised thresholds, so strollers aren't very practical; a baby carrier works better.
High-speed train or private car from Shanghai to Suzhou?
The two cities are close, and high-speed train tickets are cheap and fast, so one or two travelers will naturally take the train. A private car makes more sense in other situations: a family with older relatives and kids who doesn't want to queue for taxis at Shanghai Station or Suzhou Station; lots of luggage and a direct transfer from your hotel in Shanghai to your hotel in Suzhou; wanting to visit Zhouzhuang, Tongli, or Tianping Mountain outside Suzhou's old town in a single day—places the high-speed train can't reach; or planning to continue on to Wuxi or Hangzhou after Suzhou.
Vehicle types and pricing for point-to-point transfers between Shanghai and Suzhou are explained in Shanghai to Suzhou private car and Suzhou to Shanghai private car. For hopping between gardens and ancient towns within Suzhou, see Suzhou private car. To link Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou into a multi-day itinerary, also check out How to get from Shanghai to Hangzhou.
Suzhou and Zhouzhuang day tour: Humble Administrator's Garden + Zhouzhuang Water Town (no shopping)
Gardens and water towns in one day: we pick you up at Suzhou North Station, visit the Humble Administrator's Garden first, then explore the ancient town of Zhouzhuang with its small bridges, waterside homes and traditional craft street, and return you to Suzhou North Station in the evening. This private tour includes a car, guide and admission tickets, and an English-speaking guide is available on request.
Suzhou Dream 2 Days 1 Night: Lion Grove Garden + Shantang Street free time for food and strolling + Tianping Mountain + Canglang Pavilion + Lingering Garden
A 2-day, 1-night private tour with pickup at Suzhou Railway Station: Lion Grove Garden, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street and Tianping Mountain on day one, then Canglang Pavilion and Lingering Garden on day two. Ideal for travelers who want to see several gardens. Includes transport, a guide, 1 night in an upscale or luxury hotel, and admission tickets. An English-speaking guide is available on request.
Signature 4-day, 3-night Suzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou tour: Hangzhou (Xixi Wetland + West Lake) + Wuzhen West Scenic Zone + Suzhou + Shanghai
A 4-day private group tour covering Suzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuzhen. Spend the first night in Wuzhen with a complimentary lantern-lit evening stroll through the West Scenic Zone. On day two, visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, Panmen and Yu Garden in Shanghai. Day three takes you to The Bund before returning to Hangzhou for a tea plantation photo shoot. On the final day, enjoy boat rides on West Lake and at Xixi Wetland. Transportation, guide, hotels and admission tickets are included, with foreign-language guides available.
FAQs
How long is the high-speed train from Suzhou to Shanghai?
The fastest ride is 21 minutes, on trains from Suzhou North Station to Hongqiao Station. Trains from Suzhou Station to Shanghai Station take as little as 25 minutes, with most taking just over half an hour. The schedules above are for November 18, 2026; check 12306 for real-time info.
How much is a high-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou?
Second-class seats on high-speed trains cost about ¥37–44, and first-class about ¥60–70. Second-class seats on some D-trains and intercity trains run in the ¥20s to ¥30s. Fares vary slightly by train and time of day.
How many trains run from Shanghai to Suzhou each day?
On November 18 alone, there were 100 trains from Shanghai Station to Suzhou Station, 67 from Hongqiao to Suzhou North Station, and 52 from Hongqiao to Suzhou Station. Add in other station combinations, and hundreds of trains connect the two cities daily—on regular days you can almost just show up and go.
How do I get from Suzhou to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport?
The easiest way is to take a high-speed train from Suzhou North Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Station, which takes just over 20 minutes. Hongqiao Station and Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 share the same hub, so just follow the signs on foot after exiting the station. There are also plenty of direct trains from Suzhou Station to Hongqiao Station, taking just over 30 minutes.
Which station is best for a day tour from Shanghai to Suzhou?
If you're staying downtown, taking the train from Shanghai Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station is the most convenient—both stations are in the city center, trains run frequently, and the last return train runs late. If you're staying near Hongqiao, the train from Hongqiao to Suzhou North Station is faster, but you'll need to take the metro from Suzhou North Station into the old town, so the total travel time is about the same.
What's the latest train from Suzhou back to Shanghai?
On November 18, the last train from Suzhou Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station departs around 22:32, and the last train from Suzhou North Station to Shanghai Hongqiao departs around 23:34. Evening trains on weekends and holidays tend to sell out, so it's best to book your return ticket in advance.
How long does it take to drive from Suzhou to Shanghai?
It's about 93 km from Guanqian Street to People's Square via the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. The drive takes just over an hour with light traffic, and 1.5 to 2 hours during rush hour.