Shanghai to Nanjing by High-Speed Rail

Last updated: April 2026. Schedules and prices change — verify on 12306.cn or Trip.com before booking.

Can You Actually Do This?

Yes, and this is one of the most forgiving rail journeys in China for foreign travelers. The fastest G-trains cover the route in under an hour; departures run every 10–15 minutes during peak hours, so missing one train is a minor inconvenience rather than a scheduling disaster. Trip.com's English platform handles booking with an international credit card and no Chinese required.

At a Glance

Difficulty: Low — one of China's busiest and best-served corridors
What you need: Passport (original, required at station gates)
Main booking option: Trip.com in English — international credit cards accepted
Backup option: Station ticket counter with passport; 12306 if you have WeChat Pay or Alipay
English support: Good on Trip.com; Hongqiao station has solid English signage; service desks speak basic English
Cost range: G-train second class ¥100–170; D-train second class ¥80–130

First: Which Shanghai Station

Shanghai has two major high-speed rail terminals, and they serve different destinations.

Station	Serves	City access
Shanghai Hongqiao (虹桥)	Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu and most HSR destinations	Metro Lines 2 and 10; connected directly to Hongqiao Airport T2
Shanghai Station (上海站)	Some Nanjing trains, plus other lines	Metro Lines 1, 3, and 4

The majority of trains to Nanjing depart from Shanghai Hongqiao. Check the station name on your ticket — don't assume. Travelers staying in Pudong should note that getting to Hongqiao by metro takes around one hour; factor that into your departure time.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Book your ticket

Trip.com (English) — search "Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing South," pick a date and train, enter your passport number and name exactly as it appears in your passport, pay with an international credit card. You'll get an e-ticket; your passport scans you through the gates at the station.

12306 — accepts foreign passport registration but the interface is Chinese only. Payment requires WeChat Pay or Alipay. Use it if you have mobile payments set up and want to avoid Trip.com's service fee.

Station ticket counter — show your passport, state your destination. Cash or card accepted. Given how frequently trains run on this route, buying on the day is usually fine outside of major holiday periods.

Step 2: Budget extra time at Hongqiao

Hongqiao is one of the largest transport hubs in China — the high-speed rail station shares the complex with Hongqiao Airport T2, and the walking distances inside are significant. Even experienced travelers need 10–15 minutes from the metro exit to the departure hall. Arrive 45 minutes before your train. On public holidays, allow a full hour.

Step 3: Security, gates, and platform

Luggage goes through X-ray; passengers through a scanner — standard procedure at all Chinese rail stations. Use your passport at the automated gate or take the staffed lane. The platform number for your train appears on the departure boards 10–15 minutes before departure.

⚠️ Foreign visitor note: Hongqiao's scale catches people off guard. Once you clear security, the walk to your platform can take another 5–10 minutes. When the board shows your train is boarding, move immediately — don't wait for a second announcement.

Step 4: Arriving in Nanjing

Most trains terminate at Nanjing South (南京南), the city's main HSR hub. Metro Lines 1 and 3 connect from Nanjing South to central areas: about 20 minutes to Xinjiekou (新街口), 30 minutes to Confucius Temple (夫子庙). Taxi or Didi from the station runs ¥30–50 to the city center, 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Some trains stop at Nanjing Station (南京站) instead — a different location closer to Xuanwu Lake. Check your ticket's destination station. Both are well-connected; Nanjing South is larger and busier.

Foreign Visitor Specifics

Your passport number is tied to the ticket — you must use the same passport to enter the station. A photo of the passport page won't work at automated gates; carry the physical document.

If you don't have Chinese mobile payment set up, Trip.com with an international credit card covers the full booking process. Nothing else requires WeChat Pay or Alipay for this journey.

Hongqiao station has English signage throughout — follow "Railway / 高铁" signs from the metro and you won't go wrong. Nanjing South's service desk has staff who can handle basic questions in English.

When Things Go Wrong

Situation	What to do
Wrong Shanghai station (Hongqiao vs Shanghai Station)	If there's time, take a Didi between them — about 30 minutes. If not, rebook the next available train; fees are minimal
Missed train	This line runs so frequently that the next departure is rarely more than 15–30 minutes away. Find the change ticket (改签) counter or use Trip.com to rebook
Passport not scanning at gate	Use the staffed lane — routine procedure, takes under a minute
Train stops at Nanjing Station instead of Nanjing South	Both are served by Metro Line 1; adjust your onward route accordingly

Cost Breakdown

G-train (fastest, ~58 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes): Second class ¥100–170, first class ¥160–250
D-train (~1.5–2 hours): Second class ¥80–130, first class ¥120–180
Metro from Nanjing South to city center: ¥3–6

Prices are indicative — confirm before booking.

This route is the natural connector for an East China trip combining Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. The East China 2-Week Itinerary shows how the four cities fit together. For what to do once you reach Nanjing, the Nanjing City Guide covers the main sites, neighborhoods, and logistics. General rail booking and station procedures apply across China — the China High-Speed Rail Guide has the full picture.