Shanghai Train Stations | High Speed Railway Stations in Shanghai

Shanghai boasts an extensive high-speed rail network with 10 stations strategically located throughout the city and its surrounding areas. Among these numerous stations, four stand out as the most frequently utilized by travelers and commuters alike: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station serves as Shanghai's premier high-speed rail terminal, conveniently integrated with Hongqiao International Airport to form one of East Asia's largest transportation hubs. Shanghai Railway Station functions as the city's historic central station, offering excellent connectivity to the urban center. Shanghai South Railway Station efficiently handles significant passenger traffic to southern destinations, while Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station provides crucial access for residents and visitors in the western suburbs.

These four key stations offer exceptional connectivity to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Xi'an, and Huangshan, as well as popular nearby destinations such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. With frequent departures and arrivals throughout the day, Shanghai's high-speed rail network makes travel throughout China both convenient and time-efficient for millions of passengers annually.

Shanghai Key Railway Stations Location Map

① Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station	② Shanghai Railway Station
③ Shanghai South Railway Station	④ Shanghai Songqiao Railway Station

1. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站) - the Busiest Train Station in Shanghai

Location: No.1500, Shengui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai (上海市闵行区申贵路1500号)

Distance: about 20 km to the Bund, Shanghai Museum and Yuyuan Garden (about 45 minutes' drive); about 45 km to Shanghai Disney Resort (about 1 hour's drive).

How to Get to & transfer from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is adjacent to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and offers convenient transportation means.

● By Metro: The station is served by metro line 2, line 10 and line 17. Among them, line 10 can take you to popular attractions like the Bund and Yuyuan Garden directly, and line 17 to Zhujiajiao Water town.

● By Bus: After exiting the rail station, you can follow the sign and proceed to the Hongqiao Hub West Transportation Center (Bus Station) on the first floor/ground floor to board buses.

● WeTrip private transfer: With our tour packages, we provide licensed private cars with experienced drivers to take you to all the attractions in Shanghai. Please contact us for your unique customized tour!

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station Transportation Map

Hongqiao Railway Station Location Map

Major High Speed Train Routes of Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station only runs high speed trains. It operates routes to almost all major cities in China, like Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Kunming, Hangzhou, Suzhou, etc.

Departure Station	Destination	Duration	Frequency (per day)
Shanghai Hongqiao	Beijing	4.5 ~ 6 hrs	40+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Xian	5.5 ~ 9 hrs	20+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Hangzhou	45 mins ~ 2 hrs	150+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Suzhou	0.5 ~ 1 hr	200+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Nanjing	1 ~ 2.5 hrs	170+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Kunming	11 ~ 12.5 hrs	4
Shanghai Hongqiao	Zhengzhou	4 ~ 6.5 hrs	50+
Shanghai Hongqiao	Lanzhou	10.5 ~ 12 hrs	4
Shanghai Hongqiao	Chengdu	11 ~ 16 hrs	10
Shanghai Hongqiao	Chongqing	11 ~ 16 hrs	10
Shanghai Hongqiao	Guiyang	8 ~ 9.5 hrs	10+

Note: We only list part of the high speed trains from/to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station for your reference. Please refer to the official info if needed.

Layout & Facilities of Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

There are 4 floors in the building of Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. The first underground floor (B1) includes station exit and connections to other forms of transportation. There is also some fast food, like KFC, Dongfang Jibai, Gongfu etc. There are also available Automated Ticket Machines (only helpful to people with Chinese ID card) and ticket windows. The first floor (1F) is the platform layer and travelers transit through here to the second floor. The second floor is the departure hall, containing ticket windows, waiting hall, checking gate etc. The third floor is the commercial layer selling food, drinks, souvenirs, etc.

Entrance:

The entrance to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is in the first floor and you need to pass the security check. If you take a subway to the railway station, you will get to the underground floor. Then, you can take an elevator to the first floor and pass the security check.

Waiting Hall:

Located in the second floor, the large waiting hall is well equipped with electronic board with information in Chinese and English words, enough seats, toilets, drinking fountain, Red Hat Porter etc.

Checking Gate:

All checking gates are equipped in the waiting hall with a small electronic board which displays the present and next checking information.

Exit:

There are six exits in Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, and each platform has access to a corresponding exit.

2. Shanghai Railway Station (上海站) - Important Station Close to Downtown Shanghai

Location: No.303, Moling Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai (上海市静安区秣陵路303号)

Distance: about 7 km to the Bund (about 20 minutes' drive); about 4 km to Shanghai Museum (about 15 minutes' drive); about 7 km to Yuyuan Garden (about 30 minutes' drive).

How to Get to & transfer from Shanghai Railway Station

With a good location in the downtown area, Shanghai Railway Station offers convenient access to the nearby attractions.

● By Metro: The station is served by metro line 1, line 3 and line 4. Take line 1 to Nanjing Road within 15 minutes, and from there you can easily walk to the bund.

● By Bus: Multiple bus routes serve Shanghai Railway Station. You can reach attractions in downtown such as Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum directly through bus.

Shanghai Railway Station Location Map

Major High Speed Train & Normal Train Routes of Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai Railway Station runs both normal trains and high speed trains to many destinations. You can take bullet trains to cities like Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, etc., and normal trains to Lhasa (Tibet), Xian, Xining, Hohhot, Chengdu, etc.

Departure Station	Destination	Train Types	Duration	Frequency (per day)
Shanghai	Beijing	HSR & Normal	4.5 ~ 12 hrs	10
Shanghai	Xian	Overnight HSR & Normal	14 ~ 20 hrs	10+
Shanghai	Hangzhou	HSR	1.5 hrs	5
Shanghai	Suzhou	HSR & Normal	0.5 ~ 1.5 hrs	130+
Shanghai	Nanjing	HSR & Normal	1 ~ 4.5 hrs	110+
Shanghai	Chengdu	HSR & Normal	12.5 ~ 37 hrs	4
Shanghai	Chongqing	HSR	10.5 ~ 12 hrs	3
Shanghai	Lhasa	Normal	45 hrs	1

Note: We only list part of the high speed trains from/to Shanghai Railway Station for your reference. Please refer to the official info if needed.

Layout & Facilities of Shanghai Railway Station

There are two squares in Shanghai Railway Station, namely North Square and South Square. From each of them, you can enter the waiting rooms. The ticket offices (equipped with booking, altering, canceling windows) are outside the entrance. After collecting your tickets, you can pass the security check and enter the railway station. There are 9 waiting rooms in the second floor Shanghai Railway Station. As you enter the station, you can see an electronic board from which you can find which waiting room for your train. Waiting Room 0 is located in the first floor. Climbing to the second floor with an escalator, you can see two lines of waiting halls on eastern sides and western sides. There are toilets and drinking fountains between two adjacent waiting rooms. The commercial areas where you can get some fast food and drinks are beside the Waiting Room 3 and Waiting Room 4. Each waiting room is equipped with enough seats and several checking gate. When it's time to check, the broadcast will remind you in bilingual language (English and Chinese). After passing the checking gate, you can take an escalator or a barrier free elevator to the first floor to catch your train. Getting off the trains and follow the signs to exit, you will get to the southwestern exit and northeastern exit. The subway station is located in the underground floor of the South Square and the first ground of the North Square.

3. Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) - Significant Connection to Southern Destination

Location: No.289, Laohumin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai (上海市徐汇区沪闵路289号)

Distance: about 15 km to the Bund, Shanghai Museum and Yuyuan Garden (about 45 minutes' drive).

How to Get to & transfer from Shanghai South Railway Station

With a good location in the downtown area, Shanghai South Railway Station offers convenient access to the nearby attractions.

● By Metro: The station is served by metro line 1, line 3 and line 15. Take line 1 to Nanjing Road, and from there you can easily walk to the bund. You can also reach Shanghai Museum via metro line 1.

● By Bus: Multiple bus routes serve Shanghai South Railway Station. After exiting the rail station, you can follow the sign and proceed to the bus hub.

South Railway Station Location Map

Major High Speed Train & Normal Train Routes of Shanghai South Railway Station

Shanghai South Railway Station runs both normal trains and high speed trains to many destinations, mainly the southern ones such as Hangzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen, etc.

Departure Station	Destination	Train Types	Duration	Frequency (per day)
Shanghai	Hangzhou	HSR & Normal	45 mins ~ 2.5 hrs	70+
Shanghai	Suzhou	HSR	0.5 ~ 1.5 hrs	40
Shanghai	Ningbo	HSR	2 ~ 2.5 hrs	9
Shanghai	Wenzhou	HSR	2.5 ~ 4.5 hrs	10+
Shanghai	Xiamen	HSR	6 ~ 8 hrs	5
Shanghai	Huangshan	HSR	2.5 ~ 3.5 hrs	10+

Note: We only list part of the high speed trains from/to Shanghai South Railway Station for your reference. Please refer to the official info if needed.

Layout & Facilities of Shanghai South Railway Station

The station spans three levels: The ground level serves as the platform area with 13 tracks and 6 boarding platforms, connecting to North and South Squares and housing VIP lounges and railway police. The second floor functions as the departure level, featuring an 800-meter circular elevated platform and a central waiting hall accommodating over 10,000 passengers. Below ground, the arrival level contains exit passages, transfer halls, access to subway lines 1, 3, and 15, plus long-distance and tourist bus services. The North and South Squares cover 60 hectares of landscaped gardens serving as tourist hubs. Their two underground levels contain shops, roadways, and parking facilities totaling 120,000 square meters. Entry gates feature facial recognition technology, allowing passengers to board by simply scanning their ID cards.

4. Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station (上海松江站) - Less Used for Travelers

Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station stands as one of Shanghai's significant transportation hubs, offering convenient high-speed rail services to various destinations throughout China. Despite its impressive size and modern facilities, this station is less frequently utilized by tourists due to its location in the southwestern suburbs of Shanghai, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center. While Songjiang Station provides excellent connectivity for local residents and business travelers based in this developing district, visitors to Shanghai typically find the more centrally located stations like Hongqiao or Shanghai Railway Station more convenient for their travel needs. Nevertheless, Songjiang Station remains an important component of Shanghai's comprehensive high-speed rail network, particularly for those traveling to or from the southwestern parts of the city.

Songjiang Railway Station Location Map

Which Railway Station to Use for Taking a Train in Shanghai?

Since Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station both operate the high speed trains to Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, etc., you may have different choices according to your own needs. If you want to take a high speed train after your visit to the attractions in downtown area, like the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, or the highest buildings in Lujiazui, you are suggested to Choose Shanghai Railway Station which is just located nearby. If you want to take a train after your flight to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, you'd better choose Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

China Train Travel Tips

Class of Ticket

Second Class Seats: The most common type, featuring a "3+2" configuration (5 seats per row, with sections A/B/C as a three-seat block and D/F as a two-seat block). The seat width is approximately 48-50 cm, and the distance between rows is about 90-100 cm, making it suitable for short-distance travel or passengers with budget constraints. First Class Seats: Adopt a "2+2" configuration (4 seats per row, with two seats in sections A/C and two in D/F respectively). The seat width increases to 54-56 cm, and the row spacing is approximately 110-120 cm, offering more spacious room—ideal for passengers seeking greater comfort. Business Class Seats: Available in "1+2" or "1+1" configurations (2-3 seats per row). The seat width reaches 70-80 cm, and the row spacing can extend up to 130-150 cm (in some train models, seats can recline 180° to form a "bed"). The space is most comparable to that of an airplane's business class cabin, with strong privacy.

Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel Train Ticket

Foreign tourists can book train ticket online or via a ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport. Train ticket alteration and cancellation are only available at ticket counters or 12306 APP.

Board & Get off

1) Prepare your passport and China Visa; 2) Get to the right train station at least 30 mins in advance; 3) Collect your train ticket (currently passengers can board train without paper ticket in most China train stations, only passport is required); 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train.

Baggage Allowance

Passengers don't need to check luggage separately. Each passenger is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types.

Facilities and Service

All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service, including luggage racks, air-conditioner, power socket, dining car, hot water, etc.

How to Plan a Shanghai Tour

How to Get to Shanghai: You can fly to Shanghai directly from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles & many overseas countries (regions) and almost all major Chinese cities, like Beijing, Xian; or take high speed bullet train to Shanghai from domestic cities.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai: The ideal times to visit are March to May and September to November, when the weather is pleasant and the city's natural scenery is at its most beautiful - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Spend 2 to 3 days exploring Shanghai's unique blend of Western and Eastern influences!

Usually, tourists spend 2 days sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, historical Wukang Road, informative Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can visit Zhujiajiao Water Town or enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park in the suburb.

For a change of scenery, consider these easy getaways:

Suzhou (30 min by high-speed train) - Famous for its classical gardens and charming water towns.

Hangzhou (1 hour by high-speed train) - Renowned for the poetic West Lake and Longjing tea plantations.

Yellow Mountain (3 hours by high-speed train) - Breathtaking peaks and UNESCO-listed landscapes.

Start Your China Adventure from Shanghai

As a major international hub, Shanghai is the ideal gateway for exploring China—many travelers begin or end their journeys here. If you're a first-timer, we recommend extending your trip to iconic destinations like Beijing (Great Wall & Forbidden City), Xi'an (Terracotta Warriors), Zhangjiajie (Avatar-inspired peaks), and Guilin (karst landscapes & idyllic river views).

Check Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tours

Check China Tours from Shanghai

Travel with WeTrip

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, WeTrip 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 Shanghai tour packages or customize your own Shanghai tour.