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Shanghai to Nanjing by High-Speed Train

Published 2026-10-24 · Updated 2026-10-24 · Transport

Written by China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Research basis: Editor research, fact-checked

TL;DR

A: Shanghai → Nanjing is the Yangtze delta's densest corridor: 250+ departures daily (every ~10 minutes at peak), fastest 59-73 minutes Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing South, second class ¥110-212. The same trains make Suzhou a 25-minute hop and Wuxi 40 — string the three cities into one delta trip.

What’s the short answer?

The Shanghai–Nanjing corridor is the busiest intercity rail stretch in eastern China: 250+ G and D trains daily, a departure every ~10 minutes at peak, fastest 59-73 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥) to Nanjing South (南京南), second class ¥110-212. The same line strings together the delta’s greatest hits — Suzhou’s gardens at 25 minutes, Wuxi’s lake at 40 — which makes it less a transfer and more a flexible backbone for a multi-city trip.

Route facts (checked October 2026)

Distance~300 km
Fastest59-73 min (nonstop G, Hongqiao → Nanjing South)
Typical1 h 15 – 1 h 40 (with stops) · D trains 1 h 50-2 h 30
Frequency250+/day, 05:00-22:30, every ~10 min at peak
Second class¥110-212 on G · ¥104-144 on D
First class¥175-337 · Business ¥428-672 (G only)

The stopover cities: Suzhou and Wuxi

Suzhou (苏州) — 25-30 minutes from Shanghai. The UNESCO-listed classical gardens, Pingjiang Road’s canals, and the best reason to break the journey: our Suzhou 3-day itinerary and where to stay. One station trap: the corridor serves two Suzhou stations — the central Suzhou station (on the intercity line, walkable-ish to the old town) and Suzhou North (on the Beijing line, a metro ride out). Pick the central one for the gardens.

Wuxi (无锡) — ~40 minutes. Taihu Lake at Yuantouzhu (cherry-blossom fame in spring), the Grand Buddha at Lingshan, and a pork-and-xiaolongbao food scene locals defend fiercely. No dedicated page yet — the station puts you on the Metro into town.

Through-travelers: many Shanghai–Nanjing G trains call at Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang in sequence — one itinerary, four stops, no rental car.

Check Shanghai → Nanjing times & seats →

Which stations?

Shanghai Hongqiao → Nanjing South (南京南) is the standard pairing (Hongqiao on Metro 2/10/17; Nanjing South on Metro 1/3/S1/S3). Central Nanjing station (closer to the Xuanwu Lake side) is served by many trains too — both are fine; just don’t book one and taxi to the other. Walk-up is realistic at off-peak; book ahead for holiday Fridays.

How do you book?

12306 app (zero fees) or Trip.com (English-first) — the full comparison; refund and change rules in the refund fees answer. Your passport is the ticket at the gate.

What do you do on arrival?

Nanjing pairs its Ming walls and the Taiping-era sites with an underrated food scene: Nanjing in 3 days and our Nanjing picks. The other delta corridor out of Hongqiao — the Hangzhou express — is in the Shanghai–Hangzhou guide.

Sources

The Shanghai city guide covers arrival, stay areas and what the city pairs with.

Sources