How to Get From Shanghai to Nanjing – 2026 Updated Guide to Trains and Buses

Written by Candice Zhao | Updated April 15,2026

The distance from Shanghai to Nanjing is only about 300 km, so Nanjing has been a popular destination for a side trip from Shanghai. Here comes the frequently asked question: how to get from Shanghai to Nanjing? High-speed trains, normal trains, chartered cars and flights are all available.

Considering the frequent shifts and high efficiency, high-speed trains have become the preferred choice of most travelers. Normal trains and chartered buses are feasible alternative options. While flights are usually not recommended because of the close distance.

In this article, we will offer the travel time, cost and other practical information of the three major ways and a comparison among them for your reference.

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• • At A Glance: Major Ways from Shanghai to Nanjing
  • Option 1: High-speed Train
  • Option 2: Normal Train
  • Option 3: Chartered Car
  • How to Plan a Nanjing Tour from Shanghai
  • Explore with China Xian Tour
  • FAQ

At A Glance: Major Ways from Shanghai to Nanjing

Every day, about 300 bullet trains shuttle between the two cities and the fastest one takes only 59 minutes, so most tourists prefer it more. The number of normal trains is fewer, but the cost is cheaper, making it a cost-effective choice.

Chartered buses offer a door-to-door service and high privacy. As for flights, taking the close distance between the cities and the long travel time to/from the city center into account, it is not an ideal choice.

Option 1: High-speed Train: Fastest and Most Recommended

• Duration: basically 1 – 3 hours
• Major stations: Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai, Nanjing South, Nanjing
• Frequency: about 300 departures daily
• Cost: CNY 60 – 628

The high-speed trains from Shanghai to Nanjing can be classified into three types of trains: G-series high-speed train, D-series bullet train and C-series intercity train. However, there’s no need to be confused about which one to choose. For passengers, apart from the slight differences in travel time and cost, they offer a similar experience. A brief comparison is listed in the table below.

G-series Trains vs. D-series Trains vs. C-series Trains

Taking all types of trains into account, a total of about 300 fast trains transport passengers from Shanghai to Nanjing every day. From 05:45 – 22:05, the trains almost depart every 5 – 10 minutes, even denser than the public buses. So it offers the highest flexibility. Even if you do not catch the scheduled train, it is easy to change the ticket to a later one.

2026 Schedule

Note: The trains listed above include the first and last trains and some fastest trains for your reference.

Major Train Stations in Shanghai – Which One to Choose?

For tourists who value time, Hongqiao Station, with the most trains, offers great flexibility and will be a better choice for you.

If you live near downtown Shanghai or the Puxi Area, Shanghai Station is closer to you and is more convenient.

Besides, Shanghai Songjiang and Shanghai South Station also operate a few trains between the 2 cities, but Songjiang Station is about 50 km away from city center and South Station has only 10 departures daily. They are convenient only for tourists living near them.

Arrival Station in Nanjing – Which is Top Option?

Though Nanjing Station operates fewer trains, it is more recommended. Because it is closer to many hot attractions. The Xuanwu Lake is even right next to the station. After arrival, you can walk there directly. Metro line 3 can take you to Jiming Temple and Nanjing Presidential Palace in only 30 minutes. You can start your Nanjing tour immediately after arrival.

Nanjing South Station is suitable for tourists who prefer a more flexible schedule and plan to visit Niushou Mountain first after arrival.

Option 2: Normal Train – Most Cost-effective

• Duration: about 3 – 4.5 hours
• Major stations: Shanghai Station, Nanjing Station
• Frequency: about 35 daily
• Cost: CNY 40.5 – 250.5

Though high-speed trains have been the mainstream choice, normal trains remain popular with plenty of tourists because of the unparalleled cost-effectiveness. Its travel time is about 2 hours longer, but the ticket price of hard seats is only half that of high-speed trains. Some fast normal trains even take less than 3 hours, such as Z164 and Z172.

The operating time of normal trains is from 03:52 to 23:40. About the departure stations, Shanghai Station is the major station and is convenient for most travelers. 7 trains depart from Shanghai Songjiang Station. Considering its long distance to downtown Shanghai and fewer train departures, it is recommended only for tourists living nearby. As for the arrival station, Nanjing Station is the only station for normal trains.

2026 Schedule

Option 3: Chartered Car – Door-to-Door and High Privacy

• Duration: about 3 – 4 hours
• Cost: CNY 1000 – 1,200 for a single trip

For tourists who travel with elders and children or carry much luggage, chartered cars can offer a better experience. It provides a door-to-door service, so you do not need a transfer at all, saving much effort. The car is also more comfortable. Usually, the fuel costs, tolls, and driver service fees are all included in the cost. You can reserve a car through a reliable travel agency, China Xian Tour is glad to provide the service.

How to Plan a Nanjing Tour from Shanghai

Most tourist prefer to extend the trip to the nearby cities after their Shanghai tour, Nanjing, as an ancient capital of 6 dynasties, is an ideal choice. Usually, 2 days are an ideal duration to discover the most iconic attractions, such as Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple. The itinerary is as follows.

• Day 1: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum – Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum – Confucius Temple – Jiangnan Examination Hall – Qinhuai River cruise
• Day 2: Nanjing Museum – Ancient City Wall of Nanjing

For tourists who prefer an itinerary including both Shanghai and Nanjing, about 5 days are needed for an essence tour. A brief itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
• Day 2: Shanghai Tower – Shanghai Museum East – Yuyuan Garden – Yuyuan Market – Nanjing Road – The Bund – Huangpu River Cruise
• Day 3: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town – transfer to Nanjing by high-speed train
• Day 4: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum – Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum – Confucius Temple – Qinhuai River cruise
• Day 5: Presidential Palace – Nanjing City Wall – Xuanwu Lake

Recommended tour:

2 Days Nanjing Culture & Heritage Tour

5 Days Shanghai and Nanjing Essence Tour by High-speed Train

How to Get to Major Attractions from the Nanjing/Nanjing South Train Stations?

Explore Shanghai and Nanjing with China Xian Tour

Shanghai and Nanjing present the future and past of China, respectively. After knowing how to get to Nanjing from Shanghai, you may want to plan a China tour including both cities, China Xian Tour is glad to help you.

All our travel consultants are experienced in tailoring a trip and provide service for over 6,000 international travelers every year. If travelling with us, you will obtain an itinerary specially tailored for you based on your demands and preferences. And from the very beginning when you contact us to the end of your journey back home, we will offer 24-hour assistance throughout your entire journey. Do not hesitate to contact us.

FAQ about Travel from Shanghai to Nanjing

How to book the train ticket?

The official app and website of China Railway 12306 offer an English interface. With multi-language interfaces, Trip.com is friendly to most foreigners. All support purchasing a ticket with passport and paying by international credit card.

How early to arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao or Shanghai South for a train to Nanjing?

For both stations, it is advised to arrive at least 50 minutes earlier on weekdays and 1 hour earlier on weekends and public holidays.