Shanghai to Nanjing by Train
Yes, there are direct trains. About 244 departures a day run from Shanghai to Nanjing without changing trains — very frequent — roughly one every few minutes at peak. The fastest takes about 59 min.
- Direct trains
- 244 per day
- Fastest
- 59 min
- Changes
- None
- Return (Nanjing → Shanghai)
- 200 per day · 1h
Trains from Shanghai to Nanjing
| Train | Dep | Arr | Duration | From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G8Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 08:00 | 09:00 | 1h 00m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G94/G95Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 08:55 | 09:54 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G10Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 09:00 | 09:59 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G12Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 10:00 | 10:59 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G100/G97Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 10:04 | 11:03 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G468/G469Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 13:12 | 14:12 | 1h 00m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G20Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 14:00 | 15:00 | 1h 00m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G22Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 15:00 | 15:59 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G44Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 15:04 | 16:03 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 319 km |
| G24Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 16:00 | 16:59 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G32Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 19:25 | 20:24 | 59m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
| G76/G77Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing SouthShanghai Hongqiao | 20:15 | 21:15 | 1h 00m | Shanghai Hongqiao | Nanjing South | 295 km |
Times are planning references. China Railway runs several timetable revisions a year and adds or suspends trains at short notice — check live seats and today’s schedule for your date before you rely on any specific departure.
Before you rely on this
The times above come from the July 2026 timetable snapshot. China Railway revises its schedule several times a year, adds trains for holidays, and suspends services at short notice. Treat every departure time as a planning reference, not a booking commitment.
The live search queries China Railway (12306) directly for your travel date — that is the only source that reflects today's actual schedule and seat availability.
Our data covers high-speed (G/D/C) and intercity services. Slow conventional trains (Z/T/K) are only partly included, so a route marked "no direct train" may still have a direct slow train. Always confirm in the live search.
Why people take the train instead of flying
- City centre to city centre. Chinese high-speed stations sit in the urban core or on a metro line — no 45-minute airport transfer at either end.
- No check-in cut-off. You can board a few minutes before departure. Arriving 20 minutes early is comfortable.
- Luggage is free and unlimited. No weight limit, no bag drop queue.
- 59 min door to door compares well once you add airport security, boarding and transfers.
- Foreign passports are accepted. Your passport is your ticket — no Chinese ID or phone number needed.
What it costs
Second class on the high-speed services starts at ¥108 — US$23 in total, which is the US$14.96 fare plus our US$8.00 service fee. That total is what appears in the search results; nothing is added at checkout.
Other classes, and slower trains on the same route, are priced differently by the railway. The exact figure for the train you pick is shown before you pay.
Check live prices and trains · How our pricing works
Sample fare taken from 2026-10-29 services on this route. China Railway sets and occasionally changes fares — always confirm the live price for your date.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change trains from Shanghai to Nanjing?
No. Around 244 direct trains a day connect the two cities without a change.
How long is the train from Shanghai to Nanjing?
The fastest direct service takes about 59 min. Slower trains on the same route take longer.
Can foreigners book these trains?
Yes. Every train listed runs under China Railway (12306) and accepts foreign passports. We book against your passport number — no Chinese ID or phone number required.
Are the departure times fixed?
We show typical daily frequency rather than exact times, because China Railway adjusts schedules several times a year. The live search always reflects the current timetable for your travel date.
Is the train cheaper than flying?
On most routes under about 5 hours, second class costs less than a comparable flight once you include baggage and airport transfers. Live fares in USD (with our service fee included) are shown in the search results.
Other places you can reach from Shanghai
Going the other way
Arriving in Nanjing
Trains from Shanghai arrive at one of Nanjing's main stations. Check your ticket for the station name — large cities have several, and they can be 30+ minutes apart. Station names are shown in Chinese and English on every platform sign, and your passport works at the staffed gate for both entry and exit.