Shanghai to Chongqing Trains: 2026 Schedules, Prices & Booking Guide

Written by Natalia | Updated March 24,2026

If you are going to take a Yangtze River Cruise, it’s very likely that you arrive in Shanghai first, and then transfer to Chongqing, the embarking dock of the cruise. Therefore, you may need to think about how to travel from Shanghai to Chongqing for the distance of about 1,632km. Taking a flight or a train? Which is the better choice? And what are your train options? How about the prices? … Do you feel bothered by these questions?

Anyhow, relax, no matter in which scenario you need to take a Shanghai to Chongqing train, this article will help you. It will compare the pros and cons of flights and trains between the two cities, and provide a detailed guide on train types, schedules, prices, etc, just to make your trip smoother.

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• High-Speed Train from Shanghai to Chongqing: Key Facts & Schedules
• Shanghai to Chongqing Normal Train (Overnight): Options & Schedule
• Shanghai to Chongqing Train vs. Flight: Which is Better?
• Essential Tips & FAQs for Train Travel in China
• Plan Your Shanghai Chongqing Tour with China Xian Tour

High-Speed Train from Shanghai to Chongqing: Key Facts & Schedules

• Distance: 1,500 – 1,700km
• Travel time: 9 – 17.5 hours
• Frequency: over 20 departures daily
• Terminals: Chongqing North Railway Station, Chongqing West Railway Station, Shapingba Station, Chongqing East Railway Station
• Main stops: Some trains follow the south route passing Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Yiwu, Jinhua, Nanchang, Changsha, Yichang, Enshi, and Fuling; others follow the north route either passing Nanjing, Hefei, Wuhan, Xiangyang, Shennongjia, and Wanzhou, or passing Nanjing, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi’an, and Chengdu.
• Train types: G-series, D-series (including daytime trains and overnight sleepers)

Shanghai to Chongqing High-Speed Train Schedules (2026)

G-series vs. D-series Trains

Currently, passengers have two options for travelling from Shanghai to Chongqing by high-speed train: G-series and D-series. The main difference lies in their designed speeds.

G-series Trains: Incredibly Fast But A Little Expensive

In most cases, G-series trains are faster than D-series, at a relatively higher cost. They are punctual, smooth and comfortable. About 9 G-series trains shuttle daily between Shanghai and Chongqing. The shortest duration is only about 9 hours, and the longest is about 14 hours. Your ticket fare varies with the type of seat you choose. Business seats are usually the most expensive, followed by first class seats, and then second class seats. The price is ranged from CNY 900 to 3,510.

D-series Trains: A Balance Between Cost and Speed

By comparison, D-series trains are not as fast as G-series, but with a fair price. About 11 D-series trains are now operated between Shanghai and Chongqing, including three overnight sleepers. A one-way ride normally takes 10.5 to 17 hours depending on the train number you choose. The ticket is priced between CNY 590 and CNY 1,070 for different seats.

For budget travelers, overnight sleepers are a smart choice to save one night’s hotel fees and stretch themselves for a good rest. But please be aware that only D57 is operated daily, D982 and D986 are only available from Shanghai to Chongqing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Shanghai Hongqiao vs. Shanghai Railway Station: Which is Best for Your Trip?

Shanghai now has multiple train stations, so where to take the bullet train from Shanghai to Chongqing can be very confusing. To make things clear, we’ve made a detailed comparison between Shanghai Railway Station and Hongqiao Railway Station, the two most frequently-used stations in Shanghai.

Therefore, consider Shanghai Railway Station unless you stay in the city center. Otherwise, Hongqiao Station is strongly recommended for its dense high-speed train departures, superior waiting hall, and easy access. Especially if you land at Hongqiao Airport, it will be incredibly convenient, as the train station is merely a short walk from Terminal 2.

Kindly Reminder: When purchasing tickets, please carefully check whether the destination is “Shanghai Hongqiao” or “Shanghai”. The two stations are approximately 20km apart and it takes nearly an hour to go from one to another by metro. Incorrect travel may significantly delay your trip.

Arrival Stations in Chongqing – Which is the Top Option?

While Chongqing owns a few railway stations, your trip from Shanghai will always arrive at one of the main stations listed in the table below.

Chongqing North Station is the first choice of many travelers, not only because of the considerable train options, but also for its advantageous location. The iconic landmarks of Chongqing, such as Hongya Cave and the People’s Liberation Monument, are well-connected to the North Station via metro, and only a 20-minute driving away.

If you choose a train arriving in the West Station, keep in mind that you should spare at least 40 minutes for the transfer between the station and city center. Plus, if your destination is Wulong Karst Geology Park or Dazu Rock Carvings, the West Station is recommended.

Shapingba Station is just about 5km from Ciqikou Ancient Town. If it is your first stop in Chongqing, choose Shapingba!

Shanghai to Chongqing High-speed Train Price & Facilities

Shanghai Chongqing High-speed Rail Map & Scenery

What to expect along the south route (G1333, G241, G1471…)?

It’s the current most mature and frequently used route between Shanghai and Chongqing. You will enter the mountainous city of Chongqing from the futuristic metropolis of Shanghai, passing some key cities including Hangzhou, Shangrao, Huaihua, and Guiyang.

Out of the window, your view will change from the skyscrapers to the crisscrossed rivers around Hangzhou. The vast rice fields stretch endlessly, the white-walled and black-tiled houses are scattered here and there, and you will occasionally see the Qiantang River.

As the train whistles through the hilly red soil, you are arriving in Jiangxi Province. The terrain begins to undulate, with lush forests and the winding Gan River forming the dominant scenery.

Then the train will enter the hinterland of the mountainous region in Hunan Province. You will find that the number of tunnels significantly rises. Later the train will enter Guizhou. The altitude continues to rise, and the karst landforms become increasingly prominent.

What to expect along the north route (G3390,G1476…)?

Starting from Shanghai, you will successively enter Nanjing, Hefei, Wuhan, Enshi, Yichang and finally stop at Chongqing.

On the way, you will firstly enjoy a broad view mainly consisting of swathes of farmland and urban buildings. Gradually, the terrain becomes more and more flat, with numerous lakes. When the train passes through Enshi, you will witness the magnificent karst mountains and deep valleys nestled between, shrouded in clouds and mist. Sometimes, you can even see the bridges span two mountains, which is very amazing. When entering Chongqing from Hubei eastward, continuous mountains will come into your view.

Shanghai to Chongqing Normal Train (Overnight): Options & Schedule

• Travel time: about 27.5 hours
• Frequency: One departure daily
• Terminal: Chongqing North Railway Station
• Main stops: Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Yiwu, Jinhua, Shangrao, Huaihua, Tongren, Qianjiang

Shanghai to Chongqing Normal Train Schedules

Price and Facilities

Shanghai Songjiang Station

Currently, there is only one normal speed train from Shanghai to Chongqing – K71. It departs from Songjiang Station, about 45km from the city center. The most convenient and cost-efficient way to get there is taking metro line 9. The line has a stop named Shanghai Songjiang Station, so you don’t need to worry about getting off at a wrong station.

There are also buses (lines 1807 and 1849) to the station, but they’re too slow. If you are in a hurry, please take a taxi. The cost is ranged between CNY150 and 180, and it takes 45 to 60 minutes for a one-way trip.

Chongqing North Station

K71 terminates at Chongqing North Station, which is conveniently connected with the city center by metro lines 3 and 10. For the 9-km distance from the city center, you can also choose to take a taxi at the cost of CNY 20 or so. As navigation app often fails in this mountainous city, you may easily get lost. So it’s recommended to download a car-hailing app in advance, and then book a car upon your arrival.

Shanghai to Chongqing Train vs. Flight: Which is Better?

Obviously, planes are much more faster than trains to travel from Shanghai to Chongqing. However, airports are always located in suburban areas, not easy to access.

It takes about one hour from the city center of Shanghai to Hongqiao Airport or Pudong Airport, and another one hour for the transfer from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport to the city center. Plus the three hours on plane, you’ll need five hours in total.

In slack seasons like September and November, the cheapest flight ticket may only cost CNY 400. In peak seasons, the price may soar to as high as CNY 2,500.

Therefore, if you can get a discounted flight ticket in the slack season, it would be great to fly to Chongqing from Shanghai, especially if you are in urgency.

During the peak season, it’s wise to take a high speed train. By the way, if travelling on rainy or windy days, you had better take a train for it’s more punctual.

Overnight sleeper train is a budget-friendly option. It can save your time and one night’s hotel. Passengers focusing on the balance between travel comfort and cost can choose it.

Essential Tips & FAQs for Train Travel in China

How to buy China train tickets online for international tourists?

As an international tourist, it’s not complicated for you to buy a China train ticket online. The easiest way is booking it through a third-party app, at a certain service charge. Alternatively, you can book train ticket on the official website (12306.com) or official app of Chinese Railway Bureau. They all have English interfaces.

The steps are very straightforward:

• First, download the “Railway 12306” app or visit the website, and switch the language to English.
• Next, create your account. Fill in your name, nationality, passport number, etc., following the instructions, for auto authentication.
• Then, input your departure and arrival stations to search for the train. Select your planned date of travel, and a list of trains will show. Decide which train you are going to take and select your seat class.
• Finally, fill in the passenger details and make the payment. International credit cards are acceptable. Once your payment is confirmed, you will receive an e-ticket confirmation.

How to board and get off trains in China?

Steps for getting on a train:

• First, arrive at the station in Shanghai at least one hour before departure. At the entrance, scan your passport for identify check and go through a security screening like other passengers.
• Second, browse the huge electronic boards in the waiting wall and find your train’s boarding gate.
• Third, simply scan your passport at the assigned gate as paper ticket is not required. If anything goes wrong, show your passport to the staff at the manual lane to go through the boarding gate.
• Fourth, follow the crowds to head for the boarding platform.
• Last, identify your train number and board your train.

Steps for getting off a train:

• First, after you getting off the train, follow the exit signs until the gate machine is in front of you.
• Second, scan your passport for ticket check. Again, if it fails, please ask the staff at the nearby manual lane for help.
• Then, you can leave hassle-free.

What is the baggage allowance?

In normal cases, an adult can carry at most 20kg of luggage for free. And it should be mentioned that each piece of luggage should not exceed 160cm in the total dimension (length+width+height). There are overhead racks and designated areas in each carriage for luggage storage.

Shanghai to Chongqing train ticket refund policy

The train refund policy depends on how far in advance you cancel the booking.:

• 8 days advance of your departure date: you will get all your money back.
• 48 hours to 8 days before departure: 5% of the ticket fare will be deducted as a service fee.
• 24 hours to 48 days before departure: 10%
• Within the 24 hours before departure: 20%

Note: The refund will be returned to your original payment account.

Seat Classes on High-speed Trains & Normal Trains

High-speed trains usually do not have sleeping berths, except overnight sleepers. Both G-series and D-series trains have first and second class seats. The difference is that you can also find business class seats on G-series.

Overnight high-speed sleeper trains are designed for long-distance travel. Therefore, soft sleepers and hard sleepers are the main selling points. You will be in a compartment equipped with two bunk beds. A few carriages also have second class seats for short-distance passengers.

On ordinary trains, there are three kinds of seats: hard seats, hard sleepers and soft sleepers.

Is there food service on the Shanghai to Chongqing bullet train?

Yes, of course. You can enjoy a boxed meal in the dining carriage, or buy one from the attendant pushing the dining car through the aisle. It’s also feasible to order takeouts of branded restaurants like KFC and McDonald’s surrounding the stops enroute through the “Railway 12306” app. The staff will deliver them directly to your seats.

Plan Your Shanghai Chongqing Tour with China Xian Tour

If you are not confident in taking a Shanghai to Chongqing train alone, please consider joining our Shanghai to Chongqing customized tour group. We’ll help you to grab the train ticket and arrange a professional driver to see you off and pick you up at the train stations. The whole process will be very smooth! Are you ready? Let’s go!