A 1,800km journey links Shanghai, China’s economic powerhouse, with Chengdu, the capital city and heart of Sichuan culture. Both cities offer wonderful experiences for travelers seeking urban energy and cultural depth.
This article compares all transport options – flights, high-speed trains, and overnight trains – to help you choose based on budget, time, and comfort. Read the guide and learn how to secure cheap Shanghai-Chengdu flights, master bullet train bookings. Start planing the Shanghai and Chengdu tours that suit you the best.
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- Transportation Options
- Flying from Shanghai to Chengdu: Fastest & Most recommended
- High-Speed Train: Balance Speed and Scenery
- Normal Train: Budget-Friendly and a Top Choice for Backpackers
- High-Speed Rail vs. Regular Trains
- What to Visit in Shanghai and Chengdu
Transportation Options
- Flights – Fastest (3–3.5 hours) but price fluctuates.
- High-Speed Trains– Scenic daytime journey (11–13 hours).
- OvernightTrains – Budget-friendly overnight option (30–35 hours).
- For more transportation information, please see:
Shanghai Transportation: Getting to & around
Chengdu Transportation: Getting to & around Nearby Cities and Attractions
Flying from Shanghai to Chengdu: Fastest & Most recommended
Taking flights remains the most convenient and efficient way for cross-country travel compared with other two options. There are over 100 daily flights connecting Shanghai’s and Chengdu’s airports, including early-morning and late-night departures.
Key Details for Air Travel
- Duration: 3-3.5 hours (direct flights)
- Departure Airports: Pudong airport(PVG)/Hongqiao airport(SHA)
- Arrival Airports: Chengdu’s Tianfu airport(TFU)/Shuangliu (CTU) airport
- Flight Schedule:Over 100 flights (per day), 70-90 direct flights.
- Ticket Price: Varied by seasons and booking time. (From 400RMB to 1500+RMB for a single trip, for more information please check the ticket-booking website)
Airport Guide
Shanghai
Airport Name |
Address |
Distance from the Bund |
Features |
Best For |
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) |
No. 2550, Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai |
23 km (40–50 minutes by car) |
Primarily domestic flights, closer to downtown |
Travelers near the Bund, Hongqiao Railway Station, or city center |
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) |
No. 6000, Yingbin Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai |
42 km (50–70 minutes by car) |
International and long-haul domestic flights |
Visitors near Pudong or Shanghai Disney Resort |
Chengdu
Airport Name |
Address |
Distance to Downtown |
Transportation Options |
Best For |
Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) |
Jichang Yinbin Road, Shuangliu District, Chengdu |
16 km (20–30 minutes by taxi) |
Subway Line 10 to Chunxi Road (40 minutes) |
Domestic flights and short layovers |
Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) |
Lujia Town, Jianyang City, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province |
50 km (60–70 minutes by taxi) |
24-hour shuttle buses; Subway Line 18 (50 minutes) |
International flights; allow 2.5+ hours for transfers |
Pro Tip: Morning flights have fewer delays. Check real-time updates via airline apps. Book early for cheap Shanghai-Chengdu flights during holidays.
See how to get from Chengdu airports to downtown area and major attractions after arriving.
High-Speed Train: Balance Speed and Scenery
Key Details for High-Speed Train Travel
If you are not rush in time, try to travel between Shanghai and Chengdu by a high-speed train, which is a balance of speed and scenery. A single trip usually lasts about 11 to 15.5 hours.
- Duration:11–15.5 hours
- Departure/ArrivalStations:
Station Name |
Role/Type |
Trains per Day |
Address |
Shanghai Hongqiao Station |
Primary station |
7+ daily trains |
1500 Shengui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai |
Shanghai Railway Station |
Downtown station |
1 daily train |
100 Moling Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai |
Chengdu East Railway Station |
Arrival station |
— |
333 Qionglaishan Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu |
- Ticket Prices: Second Class: ¥680–¥1280; First Class: ¥1,100–¥2,000; Business Class: ¥3,100–¥4,200
Train Types & Schedules
- G Trains (Fuxing Bullet Trains): Speed: 300–350 km/h; Fastest trip: 11 hours; Departures: before 11 AM from Hongqiao Station
- D Trains: Speed: 200 km/h; Trip duration: 12.5–15.5 hours; Operate from both Hongqiao and downtown stations
Pro Tip: Morning departures ensure same-day evening arrivals. Book G trains for newer amenities like USB ports and onboard Wi-Fi.
Normal Train: Budget-Friendly and a Top Choice for Backpackers
Key Details
- Duration: 30–38.5 hours
- Departure Stations:
Shanghai Railway Station (Downtown)
- Address: 303 Moling Road, Jing’an District
- Transport: 20 mins to the Bund, 40 mins to Disney Resort.
Shanghai South Station
- Address: 9001 Humin Road, Xuhui District
- Transport: 25 mins to the Bund, 40 mins to Disney Resort.
Chengdu Railway Station
- Address: 1 Zhandong Road, Jinniu District
- Transport: 20 mins to downtown, 30 mins to Panda Base
- Ticket Options & Tips:
Class |
Features |
Price |
Hard Seat |
Crowded, no beds (avoid overnight) |
¥265 |
Hard Sleeper |
Open 6-bunk compartments (upper/middle/lower) |
¥455 |
Soft Sleeper |
Private 4-bunk room with door |
¥715 |
Why Choose Sleeper Trains?
- Save on hotels:Sleep while traveling.
- Scenic daytime views of rural China.
Survival Tips:
- Book Soft Sleeper tickets 30 days early via 12306.cn or Ctrip.
- Pack earplugs, a portable charger, and snacks.
- Avoid Hard Seats for journeys over 12 hours.
Train Types & Frequency
- K-Trains: 3–4 daily departures, 120 km/h speed.
Best Departure: Shanghai Railway Station (more trains, downtown access).
Related reading: Shanghai to Chongqing Trains
High-Speed Rail vs. Regular Trains
Category |
High-Speed Rail (G/D/C Trains) |
Regular Trains (K/T/Z Trains) |
Speed |
300–350 km/h |
80–120 km/h |
Travel Time (Shanghai–Chengdu) |
11–13 hrs |
30–38 hrs |
Boarding Process |
1. Arrive 45 mins early. 2. Scan e-ticket/passport at gates. 3. Follow digital signs to platforms. |
1. Arrive 60 mins early. 2. Collect paper ticket at counters (passport needed). 3. Check manual screens for platforms. |
Seat/Berth |
Business/First/Second Class seats with charging ports. |
Hard Seat (no bed) / Hard Sleeper (6-bunk) / Soft Sleeper (4-bunk). |
Luggage |
20kg free, overhead racks. |
Same, but limited space. |
Ticket Cost (Shanghai–Chengdu) |
¥750–2,500 ($105–350) |
¥250–1,000 ($35–140) |
Key Differences |
– Digital tickets. – Faster boarding. – Wi-Fi on Fuxing trains. |
– Paper tickets. – Longer station waits. – Overnight sleepers save hotel costs. |
What to Visit in Shanghai and Chengdu
Shanghai – Where Modernity Meets History
As one of China’s most famous and financially-advanced cities, this dynamic metropolis has well blended old-world charm with cutting-edge innovation like the Bund waterfront with futuristic skyscrapers (e.g. Shanghai Tower).
People can stroll through the French Concession’s leafy lanes to spot European-style villas, then take a look of Nanjing Road’s endless shopping stores, from global brands to local markets. For Shanghai’s best skyline views, head to the observation decks of the Oriental Pearl Tower or Lujiazui financial district. This city is for sure a destination you cannot miss when visiting China.
- The Bund: Iconic waterfront with colonial-era architecture and skyline views.
- Yu Garden& Chenghuang Temple: Ming Dynasty garden and bustling temple market.
-
Shanghai Museum: Treasures of ancient Chinese art (bronzes, calligraphy).
- Lujiazui Skyscrapers: Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower,and skywalk observatories.
- Zhujiajiao Water Town: “Venice of Shanghai” with canals and Ming-Qing bridges.
- Shanghai Disney Resort: Family-friendly theme park with unique Chinese-themed zones.
Recommended Days:
2 Days: Cover the Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui, and a half-day trip to Zhujiajiao.
2 Days Shanghai Highlight Tour Excluding Hotel
3 Days: Add Shanghai Museum and Disney Resort.
3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Zhujiajiao Water Town
Chengdu – Home of Pandas & Ancient Wonders
Known for its slow-paced living style, Chengdu, a highly inclusive city, attracts people from all over the world to meet the beloved giant pandas, creatures closely connected with this land, and explore its thousands-year-old history saved in places like Sanxingdui Ruins or Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Spice lovers shouldn’t miss the city’s signature spicy hotpot, best paired with a cup of tea served in traditional teahouses.
Take Chengdu as a base to visit nearby Jiuzhaigou National Park, Mt. Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha or Tibetan villages in the western part of Sichuan. Don’t skip historic Jinli Street for local snacks and Sichuan opera face-changing performances. This city will satisfy your imagination of Chinese culture and modern urban life.
- Chengdu Panda Base: Morning panda feeding sessions (8–10 AM).
- Jinli Ancient Street: Sichuan snacks, tea houses, and traditional handicrafts.
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System: UNESCO site, 2,300-year-old hydraulic engineering marvel.
- Leshan Giant Buddha: 71-meter-tall stone Buddha carved into a cliff (2h from Chengdu).
- Qingcheng Mountain: Taoist sacred site with hiking trails (1.5h drive).
- People’s Park: Local life: tea culture, mahjong, and相亲角 (matchmaking corner).
Recommended Days:
2 Days: Panda Base, Jinli Street, People’s Park.
4 Days: Add Dujiangyan, Leshan Buddha, and Qingcheng Mountain.
4 Days In-depth Chengdu Discovery Tours with Mt. Emei, Mt. Qingcheng and Jiuzhaigou
Recommended Trip Durations
- Shanghai Only:2–3 days (urban highlights + Zhujiajiao/Disney).
- Chengdu Only: 3–4 days (pandas + UNESCO day trips).
- Combined Tour: 5–6 days (3 days Shanghai + 3 days Chengdu).
