Hangzhou to Shanghai Train: Times, Tickets & Prices
The fastest train from Hangzhou to Shanghai takes 45 min, with 250+ departures a day and second-class fares from ¥47. Tickets only go on sale 15 days ahead — check your booking window below before you plan around this leg.
Fastest
45 min
Trains / day
250+
From
¥47
Stations: Most high-speed trains use Hangzhou East (杭州东); a few serve downtown Hangzhou Railway Station. Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥) is the main high-speed hub; some trains use Shanghai Railway Station downtown.
One of the busiest rail corridors on earth — at peak times a train leaves every few minutes.
Travelling the other way? Shanghai to Hangzhou →
When can you book this trip?
China Railway sells tickets just 15 days ahead (counting the travel day). Pick your Hangzhou → Shanghai travel date and see the exact day booking opens:
Booking opens June 27, 2026
Tickets for July 11, 2026 go on sale in 16 days (Beijing time). On that day, tickets are released between 08:00 and 18:00 depending on the departure station — look up your station's exact time. Set a reminder: popular routes can sell out within minutes around holidays.
The presale window is occasionally adjusted around major holidays and timetable changes — details on the ticket release date calculator.
How to book
12306 — the official channel. The 12306 website and app are China Railway's only official online sellers. They accept foreign passports for real-name booking and have an English version. No paper ticket needed — your passport is your ticket at the gates.
Trip.com — easier interface. Trip.com's Hangzhou–Shanghai page resells the same seats with a small service fee, international cards accepted and English support — a reasonable trade if 12306 registration gives you trouble.
Avoid unofficial agents. Nobody can get you a seat that 12306 says is sold out — seats do return to the pool as refunds come in, so keep re-checking instead.
Refund fees, official rates
| Cancelling | Fee |
|---|---|
| 8 days or more before departure | Free |
| 48 hours – 8 days before | 5% of the fare |
| 24 – 48 hours before | 10% of the fare |
| Less than 24 hours before | 20% of the fare |
Booking the moment sales open is low-risk — changes more than 8 days out cost nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Hangzhou to Shanghai take?
The fastest train takes 45 min, and most services take around 1h. There are 250+ departures a day.
How much is the train from Hangzhou to Shanghai?
Second-class fares start from ¥47 (most g trains ¥65–77.5 second class; slower trains from ¥47). China Railway floats fares by train and date, so check the exact price for your departure.
How far in advance can I book the Hangzhou to Shanghai train?
China train tickets go on sale only 15 days ahead, counting the travel day — i.e. 14 days before departure. On release day, tickets appear between 08:00 and 18:00 Beijing time depending on the departure station.
Which stations does the Hangzhou to Shanghai train use?
Most high-speed trains use Hangzhou East (杭州东); a few serve downtown Hangzhou Railway Station. Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥) is the main high-speed hub; some trains use Shanghai Railway Station downtown.
Can foreigners book the Hangzhou to Shanghai train with a passport?
Yes. The official 12306 website and app accept foreign passports for real-name booking and have an English version. International platforms like Trip.com resell the same seats with a small service fee. Your passport is your ticket at station gates.
Before you ride: check your visa, pick an eSIM, set up Alipay/WeChat Pay (you'll pay for tickets with them), and sort your arrival card.
Official sources
Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may become affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you. Route facts come from the dated sources above, never from commission rates.
Disclaimer: This page is general information. Timetables and fares change — the figures above are "from" prices and approximate frequencies, verified on the date shown against the sources listed. Always confirm on 12306 or your booking platform before planning around them. Ready Set Chinais an independent information site: we don't sell, book or procure tickets, and we're not affiliated with China Railway or any government.