Shanghai Train Stations: Where and How to Take a Train?

With hundreds of millions of passenger journeys handled each year, Shanghai is one of the busiest railway hubs in the world.

The city has several railway stations, though most travellers will only need to use three of the main ones: Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Railway Station, and Shanghai South.

This guide explains which station to choose, how to get there, and how to buy your tickets smoothly and efficiently.

Main Train Stations in Shanghai

📌 Click the itinerary link in the table to book your ticket now!

Now, let's take a closer look at the key railway stations you won't want to miss for your travels and adventures in Shanghai.

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station – 上海虹桥站

Inaugurated in 2010 for the World Expo, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station has, in just fifteen years, become one of the busiest transport hubs on the planet.

Directly integrated into Hongqiao International Airport, it forms a unique transport hub in Asia where you can switch from plane to high-speed train in less than a 15-minute walk.

With its 16 platforms and 30 tracks, it handles over 200,000 passengers a day and is the hub for almost all high-speed departures from Shanghai. If you're heading to Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, or Suzhou, this is where your journey begins!

How to get to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station?

How to book your tickets?

For this station or any others in Shanghai, you have three options:

• Book on Trip.com (Recommended ✅): The easiest way to book tickets online. Book in a few clicks and get an e-ticket linked to your passport. Available in English and other languages, and supports credit card or PayPal payment. Book in 3 minutes, get your ticket in 10 minutes. Just scan your passport to board the train.
• Via the 12306 app: This is China's official railway platform. It now has an English interface, so it's easier to use. However, you may need to wait 3–5 days for identity verification before you can buy tickets. Once set up, it works well.
• At the on-site ticket counters: Go to the ticket office at the station (usually on level B1, follow station signs). At larger stations, you can usually find a counter for international travellers with English-speaking staff. Bring your passport, choose your train, and pay at the counter. It's best to allow extra time, especially during busy periods.

How to take the train?

Catching your train from Shanghai Hongqiao, or indeed any of the city's other main stations, couldn't be easier!

• Please arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure (earlier during busy periods);
• Go through identity verification and security checks at the entrance (passport required, luggage X-rayed);
• Head to the waiting area and check the departure screens for your train and boarding gate;
• Proceed through the ticket gates when boarding starts (usually 15–30 minutes before departure; passport required);
• • Foreign passport holders: use the Manual Channel and show your passport to staff.
  • Foreign Permanent Residence ID card holders: use self-service or manual channels.
• Follow the signs to your platform and find your carriage and seat.

For a more detailed step-by-step guide, please see below.

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: A comprehensive food court across levels 2 and 3, featuring Shanghainese cuisine, dim sum, and international chains (KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks).
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, souvenir shops, and convenience stores open early in the morning
• 🧳 Luggage storage: located on either side of the waiting room on level 2 (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: cash machines are available on levels B1, 1, and 2
• 🚿 Showers: available in the VIP area (~30 CNY/30 mins)

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

Hongqiao Railway Station features a premium VIP lounge, accessible to first and business class passengers upon presentation of their ticket. Once inside, you'll find self-service hot and cold drinks, snacks, magazines, high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging points, and incredibly comfortable armchairs.

Second-class passengers can also gain access for a small fee (approx. 50 CNY).

Main routes from Shanghai Hongqiao

Shanghai Railway Station – 上海站

It’s the oldest railway station still in operation in Shanghai, built in 1987 to the north of the Jing'an district!

While it may lack the architectural prestige of Hongqiao, it makes up for it with an ideal central location (just a 13-minute metro ride from Nanjing Road and a stone's throw from the Jade Buddha Temple). Today, it serves as a versatile hub for both conventional long-distance trains and select high-speed services, making it particularly convenient for departures to north-east China or for catching overnight trains.

With its dual connection to Metro Lines 1 and 4, it’s one of the most accessible stations in the city.

How do I get to Shanghai Railway Station?

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: Northern and Central Chinese cuisine restaurants, noodles, dim sum, and snack bars located at the entrance and on level 2
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, snack bars and luggage stores
• 🧳 Luggage storage: ground floor (~15 CNY/day), super handy for exploring the city centre before you head off!
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATMs: cash machines are available at the main entrance and in the central hall
• 📍 A real tourist highlight: just a 10-minute walk from the Jade Buddha Temple, perfect for making the most of your final morning in Shanghai.

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The VIP lounge at Shanghai Railway Station is a bit more understated than the one at Hongqiao, but it does the job perfectly: comfortable armchairs, hot drinks, power sockets, and guaranteed peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the main concourses.

The lounge is open to first and business class passengers, with paid access available to other travellers for approximately 40 CNY.

Main routes from Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai South Railway Station – 上海南站

Opened in 2006, Shanghai South Railway Station stands out for its spectacular circular architecture—a glass and steel dome 270 metres in diameter that looks just like a UFO has landed in the Xuhui district.

Designed from the outset for high-speed trains heading to southern China, it remains the essential gateway for travelling from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen, or Guangzhou today.

With its triple connection to Metro Lines 1, 3, and 15, it stands out as one of the best-connected stations in the city's network.

How do I get to Shanghai South Railway Station?

Services available at the station

For Shanghai South Railway Station, most station services are, of course, available:

• 🍜 Dining: regional Zhejiang and Fujian cuisine restaurants, fast-food chains, and bakeries on levels 1 and 2
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, bookshop, regional snack and souvenir stores
• 🧳 Luggage storage: levels 1 and B1 (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: cash machines are available at all three main entrances
• 👶 Family area: a nursing room and children's play area on level 2

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The South Station features a VIP lounge for first and business class passengers, renowned for its peace and comfort.

Attentive staff are on hand to guide you to the platform if you need assistance. Paid access is also available there for second-class passengers (~40–50 CNY).

Main routes from Shanghai South

Six Tips for Stress-free Train Travel from Shanghai

💡 Choose your station based on your destination

Each of Shanghai's railway stations serves its own unique set of destinations. Hongqiao is the main hub for high-speed G-trains to Beijing, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Shanghai South Railway Station serves routes to Hangzhou, Ningbo and southern destinations. Shanghai Railway Station operates a mix of high-speed and long-distance overnight trains, while Shanghai West Railway Station mainly runs regional services. Always double-check the exact name of your departure station on your ticket before you set off.

💡 Plan ahead for your journey to Hongqiao

Hongqiao Railway Station is the most modern and best-equipped hub for international travellers, with clear English signage, plenty of dining options, and direct connections to Hongqiao Airport. From the city centre, it takes around 40–50 minutes by metro via Lines 2 and 10. If you take a taxi or DiDi, allow extra time during rush hours.

💡 Arrive early, especially during busy periods

During Chinese New Year, Golden Weeks, or long weekends, Shanghai's train stations get extremely crowded. For most trips, arriving 40–45 minutes before departure is enough. During peak travel seasons, we recommend arriving 60–90 minutes early to clear security and reach your platform comfortably.

💡 Book your tickets in advance on Trip.com

Self-service kiosks at stations often have limited English support, and ticket offices can have long lines. Booking on Trip.com lets you reserve tickets in your preferred language. You will receive an e-ticket directly on your phone, and can simply use your passport to pass through the gates. Tickets become available 15 days before departure.

💡 Keep your passport handy

In China, your passport is required for entry into the station and boarding. No physical ticket collection is needed, just keep your passport easily accessible. Most major Shanghai stations offer luggage storage for around 15–20 CNY per day if you want to travel light.

💡 Get your connectivity sorted before you arrive

Wi-Fi is free in all train stations, but you'll need a VPN to access Western apps. Some underground areas may also have limited 4G coverage. Be sure to get a China eSIM and download DiDi (which has an English interface) for all your taxi journeys.

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