The two most popular tourist destinations in China are the big cities of Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing is, as you already know, the capital of China, a city steeped in history and culture, dating back 3,000 years. Home to some of the country’s most iconic sites including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, Beijing is packed with things to see and do. But if you think Beijing is overcrowded, Shanghai is even more so. Being larger than Beijing, Shanghai has a completely different vibe than the capital, making it a very popular travel destination. This futuristic-looking coastal city is the financial heart of the country and boasts the famous Bund with colonial-era buildings contrasting with skyscrapers and the modern Oriental Pearl Tower.
Travel options from Beijing to Shanghai
Although they are over 1,100 kilometers (over 700 miles) apart, the route from Beijing to Shanghai is quite busy and you can get from one city to another in record time depending on the mode of transport you choose. There are several options available and your final choice will certainly depend on how much you are willing to spend. You can go by road, but we do not recommend renting a car or taking the bus as the journey will take 13 to 18 hours. With good train and plane options to cover this route, it’s much better to be able to sit back and stay calm during the journey and have someone else drive you.
Bus from Beijing to Shanghai
If you are interested in this option, we will tell you what are the options for traveling by bus in case you are on a very tight budget. Buses are the cheapest way to get from Beijing to Shanghai, but it’s not recommended if you don’t like being in tight spaces. The buses are sleeping cars, which means they have beds so you can lie down and stretch your legs a bit, but they are not very high and not exactly comfortable to sit in. At least the bus stops every few hours so you can get off and stretch, but that adds to the journey, which can take up to 6pm.
Beijing to Shanghai flights
Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport, the second busiest in the world. © maoyunping / Shutterstock.com
The fastest way to get from Beijing to Shanghai is by plane. The flight time is just over two hours, although you have to add the waiting time at the airport. Adding up these expectations, you realize that traveling by plane takes almost as long as a high-speed train.
Cost must also be considered. Typically, flying from Beijing to Shanghai will be the most expensive way to travel between the two cities, and the prices of different airlines can vary greatly, so if you decide to fly, make sure you do your research. You also need to look at each airline’s departure and arrival airport as both Beijing and Shanghai have two airports. From Beijing, most airlines fly from Beijing Capital International Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, but China Eastern Airlines, for example, arrives at Shanghai Pu Dong Airport. Other airlines flying from Beijing to Shanghai include Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Air China. Of all these airlines, Air China tends to be the most expensive, but as always try to book your tickets in advance to get the best prices.
From Beijing to Shanghai by train
A category D sleeper train awaits departure to Shanghai from Beijing South Railway Station. © A. Aleksandravicius / Shutterstock.com
Many travelers say that the most attractive and rewarding way to travel from Beijing to Shanghai is by train. If you are thinking of traveling by train, the first thing you should keep in mind is that there is not only one train serving this route and that there are three different types of trains, with a total of around 40 daily departures. Despite this, these trains are very popular, so don’t leave your ticket purchase to the last minute. Most services can be booked up to 28 days in advance, so you don’t have much time to choose which tickets you want to buy. If you know when you want to travel, it is recommended that you purchase your ticket on the day it goes on sale. If you let a few days pass, you may run out of space.
As we have already mentioned, there are three different types of trains running from Beijing to Shanghai: the G-speed train, the D-category express night train, and the T-class sleeper train. and the least attractive for many tourists. But if you’re looking to save money, there’s nothing wrong with a T-train, except that journey times can range from 12 to 19.5 hours. The cheapest seat is the “hard seat”, but think carefully before buying a ticket as you will spend a lot of time there. Soft seats and first and second tier beds should also be available on category T trains.
If you don’t mind spending more, check out category D trains. This train can go up to 250 km/h (156 mph), but the journey can still take around 11 hours, so it’s worth the idea to opt for a ticket with a bed so you could sleep all night. If you want to save money, you can also opt for second class seats.
Category G high-speed rail. © humphery / Shutterstock.com
Finally, we present the most exciting way to travel by train from Beijing to Shanghai: the bullet train. These category G trains have seats in business, first and second class and do not have beds, as the journey takes between 4.5 and 6 hours. These trains reach speeds of 300 to 350 km/h (187 – 219 mph) and are also comfortable. The main disadvantage of high-speed trains is the price, especially compared to classic trains or buses, and if you choose to travel in business or first class, you can pay the same as for a flight from Beijing to Shanghai. That being said, if you get the chance to ride one of these trains, we recommend doing it for the experience.
Our favorite option to travel from Beijing to Shanghai is by train, especially on high-speed G trains. Be sure to buy your ticket as far in advance as possible (maximum 28 days) as trains tend to fill up quickly.