Chongqing is the largest railway hub in Western China. With three main stations spread across the four corners of this sprawling metropolis, choosing the right starting point is absolutely essential for your journey.
High-speed trains to Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai or the Wulong Karst: every station has its own specialities.
Trip.com presents a complete guide to help you find your way and travel with peace of mind from Chongqing!
Main Train Stations in Chongqing
⬇️ Click the itinerary link in the table to book your ticket now!
Train station | Location | Highlights | Main routes |
Chongqing North Railway Station | Yubei | Major rail hub, with two halls: North and South | Chongqing–Chengdu, Chongqing–Xi'an, Chongqing–Shanghai, Chongqing–Beijing |
Chongqing East Railway Station | Nan'an | China's largest high-speed railway station (2025) | Chongqing–Wulong, Chongqing–Zhangjiajie, Chongqing–Hong Kong |
Chongqing West Railway Station | Shapingba | The largest railway station in Western China | Chongqing–Kunming, Chongqing–Xi'an, Chongqing–Chengdu |
Chongqing North Railway Station – 重庆北站
Chongqing North Railway Station is undoubtedly the most important station in Chongqing and one of the busiest in all of China.
With over 150,000 travellers passing through every day during normal periods, it's the main departure point for high-speed trains heading to China's major cities.
What makes it special? It's divided into two distinct halls (the North Hall and the South Hall) that handle different categories of trains. The North Hall is reserved for G and D trains (high-speed), while the South Hall handles conventional Z, T, and K trains. It's a common point of confusion for unsuspecting travellers!
How do I get there?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Jiefangbei) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 3 | 20–25 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Metro Line 10 | 25–30 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Taxi | 20–35 mins | ~40–70 CNY (~£4–£8) |
How to book your tickets?
For this station or any others in Chongqing, you have three options:
- On Trip.com (recommended ✅): book online with ease and download your e-ticket straight to your phone, or collect a physical ticket from the self-service kiosks using your passport.
- Via the 12306 app: the official app for China's national railway — interface in Chinese only
- At the on-site ticket counters: be prepared for potentially long queues (and don't forget your passport!). There's a dedicated counter for international visitors in the North Hall!
Services available at the station
Just like most train stations, you'll find plenty of services and shops on-site to make your journey that little bit easier:
- 🍜 Dining: McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, and local noodle restaurants are available in both halls.
- 🏪 Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, convenience store…
- 🧳 Luggage storage: available in both halls (~15–20 CNY/day)
- 🚿 Showers: available in the VIP lounge (paid access)
- 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
- 🏧 ATM: cash machines available in both halls
VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)
North Station features a VIP lounge (一等候车室) in both halls, accessible to first-class and business-class passengers upon presentation of their ticket, or for an additional fee of 50 CNY (~£5).
It offers comfortable armchairs, light refreshments, power sockets, and enhanced Wi-Fi!
Main routes from Chongqing North
Destination | Duration | 2nd Class Price | Book |
Chengdu East | ~1hr | From 54 CNY (~£6) | |
Xi'an North | ~3.5–4 hours | From 92 CNY (~£10) | |
Shanghai Hongqiao | ~6–7 hours | From 226 CNY (~£25) | |
Beijing West | ~7:30–8:00 am | From 207 CNY (~£22) | |
Zhangjiajie West | ~2h | From 197 CNY (~£22) |
| Route | Duration | Book online |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing North to Beijing | 7h10m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Shanghai | 16h50m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Guangzhou | 7h14m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Xi'an | 5h43m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Hangzhou | 11h18m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Kunming | 5h2m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Luoyang | 15h23m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Yiwu | 25h35m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Harbin | 45h12m | Book Ticket |
| Route | Duration | Book online |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing North to Chengdu | 1h15m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Guiyang | 2h24m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Zhangjiajie | 3h32m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Dazu | 21m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Wushan | 2h12m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Wulong | 1h50m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Dianjiang | 38m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Hechuan | 25m | Book Ticket |
| Chongqing North to Changsha | 5h32m | Book Ticket |
Chongqing East Railway Station – 重庆东站
Opened in 2025, Chongqing East Railway Station is a colossal project that has made headlines around the world: it is now China's largest high-speed railway station and the largest station building in the world, covering an area of 1.22 million m² (the equivalent of 170 football pitches).
Designed to handle up to 60 million passengers a year in the long run, it features 15 platforms and 29 tracks, with direct links to four metro lines for connections in under 5 minutes.
Its strategic location in the Nan'an District makes it the perfect gateway to the natural wonders of south-east Chongqing and Hunan, including the Wulong Karst, Zhangjiajie, and the ancient town of Fenghuang.
If you're planning a trip to the Wulong Karst from Chongqing, this station is your essential starting point.
How do I get there?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Jiefangbei) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 6 | 25–30 mins | ~5 CNY (~£0.55) |
Metro Line 24 | 20–25 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Taxi | 30–45 mins | ~60–100 CNY (~£7–£11) |
From CKG Airport | ~50 mins (Line 6 → Line 24) | ~8 CNY (~£0.85) |
How to catch your train?
Catching your train from Chongqing East Railway Station, or indeed either of the other two mentioned, couldn't be easier!
- Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure;
- Security check at the main entrance (level 1);
- Collect your ticket from the self-service kiosks (level 2) using your passport;
- Head to the platforms (level -1) using the escalators and lifts;
- A waiting area for each destination (signs are bilingual in Chinese/English);
- Boarding: Platform gates open 15 minutes before departure.
Services available at the station
Here too, you'll find plenty of services and shops available if you arrive at the station early or are just passing through:
- 🍜 Dining: A huge food court on level 3 (local Sichuan cuisine, noodles, takeaway hot pot)
- 🛍️ Shopping: a two-level shopping arcade, perfect for picking up Chongqing souvenirs
- 🧳 Luggage storage: Level -1 (~15–20 CNY/day)
- ✈️ City Airport Terminal: check-in and baggage drop for flights from CKG
- 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
- 🏧 ATM: You'll find several cash machines on levels 1 and 2
- 🚿 Paid showers: available on level 2 (~30 CNY/30 mins)
VIP lounge
Chongqing East Station features a premium VIP lounge, accessible to first and business class passengers, as well as holders of a premium UnionPay bank card.
Main routes from Chongqing East
Destination | Duration | 2nd Class Price | Book |
Wulong South | ~1hr | From 20 CNY (~£2.20) | |
Zhangjiajie West | ~2h | From 197 CNY (~£22) | |
Changsha South | ~3 h | From 152 CNY (~£16) | |
Guangzhou South | ~6h | From 286 CNY (~£30) | |
Hong Kong West Kowloon | ~7h | From 735 CNY (~£78) |
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Chongqing West Railway Station – 重庆西站
Opened in 2018, Chongqing West Railway Station is the largest railway station in Western China, boasting an impressive 120,000 m² of space and the capacity to welcome 50,000 travellers every single day.
It specialises in long-distance connections to the south-west and north-west of the country: Yunnan, Guizhou, Henan and Shaanxi. Its contemporary architecture, spacious, light-filled halls spread over three levels, and numerous shops make it a pleasant station to travel through, even if you have a long wait.
Although it's slightly off the beaten track compared to the centre of Chongqing, it's still quick and easy to reach by metro, with Lines 5 and 12 serving it directly.
How do I get there?
Transport Mode | Travel time from the city centre (Jiefangbei) | Estimated price |
Metro Line 5 | 30–35 mins | ~5 CNY (~£0.55) |
Metro Line 12 | 25–30 mins | ~4 CNY (~£0.43) |
Taxi | 30–45 mins | ~70–110 CNY (~£8–£12) |
From CKG Airport | ~45–55 mins (Line 3 → Line 5) | ~7 CNY (~£0.80) |
Services available at the station
- 🍜 Dining: Starbucks, McDonald's, Sichuan and Yunnan cuisine restaurants, bakeries
- 🛍️ Shopping: Pharmacy, newsagent, and local snack shops
- 🧳 Luggage storage: levels 1 and 2 (~15–20 CNY/day)
- 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
- 🏧 ATM: you'll find cash machines at all three main entrances
- 👶 Family area: a nursing room and children's play area on level 2
VIP lounge
The West Station features a VIP lounge (高铁贵宾室) that's open to first and business class passengers, as well as Gold and Platinum members of the China Railway loyalty programme.
Once there, you'll have access to hot and cold drinks, snacks, newspapers, power sockets, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Main Routes from Chongqing West
Destination | Duration | 2nd Class Price | Book |
Kunming South | ~3.5–4 hours | From 122 CNY (~£13) | |
Guiyang North | ~1 hr 30 mins–2 hrs | From 82 CNY (~£9) | |
Xi'an North | ~3–4 hrs | From 92 CNY (~£10) | |
Zhengzhou East | ~4.5–5 hours | From 270 CNY (~£29) | |
Chengdu East | ~1hr 15m | From 49 CNY (~£5) |
Six Tips for Travelling by Train from Chongqing
💡 Book your tickets as early as possible
Chongqing is a sprawling metropolis of 32 million people. During the Chinese New Year, the National Day Golden Week, or long weekends, tickets for popular routes like Chongqing–Chengdu or Chongqing–Shanghai can sell out in mere minutes once bookings open (30 days before departure). Book on Trip.com as soon as your travel dates are confirmed!
💡 Identify your station and hall in advance
North Station is the only one with two separate halls (North and South) serving different trains—a common point of confusion that could cause you to miss your train. Be sure to check your ticket carefully before you head off, and specify "Chongqing North Station North Hall" or "South Hall" to your taxi driver.
💡 Allow plenty of time for security checks
Chinese train stations require systematic luggage checks at the entrance, as well as ticket and passport verification on the platform. Be sure to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure for the North and East stations.
💡 Keep your passport handy
Unlike European train stations, you'll need to show your passport three times: at the station entrance, at the ticket collection counter, and when accessing the platform.
💡 Know the difference between high speed trains and conventional trains
In Chongqing, high-speed trains (G, D, and C series) and conventional trains (Z, T, and K series) do not depart from the same stations or halls. G-trains are two to three times faster but also more expensive. Be sure to check your train series when booking to ensure you head to the right station.
💡 Download your offline maps before you head off
Even with a good connection, some underground levels of Chongqing's train stations can have limited network coverage. Download your route map for offline use and secure your internet connection with an eSIM to travel with peace of mind throughout your stay.
FAQ – Taking the Train from Chongqing Stations
Which Chongqing train station should I use for Chengdu?
Shapingba Station is the most convenient for fast Fuxing high-speed trains (around 1 hour). Chongqing North also has frequent G-trains to Chengdu every 15–30 minutes.Which station should I use for Wulong (karst landscapes)?
Chongqing East is the best option, with direct high-speed trains taking about 1 hour to reach the Wulong area.Can I buy train tickets in Chongqing without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Major stations usually have English-speaking staff, but the easiest option is booking via the Trip.com app, with e-tickets linked to your passport.Are Chongqing train stations open 24 hours?
No, most close after the last train (around 11:00 pm). Chongqing North has the longest opening hours, and some late-night trains depart from Caiyuanba Station after midnight.How much is the high-speed train from Chongqing to Chengdu?
Second class tickets start from around CNY 54 (£6), while first class is about CNY 85 (£9), with a journey time of roughly 1 hour.