Shanghai Hongqiao – Xian North by Bullet Train

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What are the Best Way to Travel between Shanghai & Xi’an?

Currently, you have two kind of options to travel from Shanghai to Xi’an (in Shaanxi Province)or Xi’an to Shanghai: fly or by train. Since Xian is very far from Shanghai, flight can be the fastest option, which takes about 2h55 using Shanghai Hongqiao Airport or Pudong Airport in Shanghai & Xianyang Airport in Xian. While, train is also a good option, which are fairly cheap and efficient. You can ride a high speed train or a sleeper train.

How far is Shanghai from Xian: the distance is 1510 kilometers.

Train VS Plane, Which is the Best Way

Travel between Shanghai & Xi’an by Train

To travel between Shanghai and Xian by train, you have there options: by high speed trains or overnight trains.

Shanghai – Xian High Speed Railway Map

To be added soon.

Ask Jack

If you have any questions on how to travel between Hong Kong and Xian, you can contact Jack anytime by sending emails to  chinatrain12306@gmail.com  . I’d love to offer my help.

1. Shanghai – Xian by High Speed Train

There are 9 daily G-class high speed trains running from Shanghai to Xian or vice verse, taking around 6-7.5 hours and costing from CNY669.5 in a second class seat. The bullet trains are using Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Xian North Station.

Schedule, Ticket Price & Duration

Train Stations

Shanghai Hongqiao Station

• Station name: Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥站)
• Location:Minhang District (Google map)
• Getting there: by metro line 2, line 10 and line 17
• Shanghai metro (official site)

Xian North Station

• Station name: Xian North (Xianbei, 西安北站)
• Location: Weiyang District, Xian (Google Map)
• Getting there: at Bei Kezhan (North Railway Station) on metro line 2 & line 4 (under construction)

2. Hong Kong – Xian by Sleeper Train (high speed)

In addition to the G-class high speed train, you can also consider taking the D-class high speed sleeper train, which offers soft sleeper and second class seat, leaving at night and arriving in next morning. The D-class high speed sleeper train run once a day.

From Shanghai to Xian: G306 leaves from the centrally-located Shanghai Railway Station once daily at 22:05 and arrives at Xi’an North Station at 10:02 the following day, taking 11h07. A soft sleeper costs CNY800.

From Xian to Shanghai: G308 travels once daily from Xian North Station at 19:44 and reaches Shanghai Railway Station at 06:26, taking 10h42. Ticket price is CNY800 in a soft sleeper.

Timetable, Ticket Fares & Travel Time

Shanghai – Huashan – Xian by High Speed Train

It is possible to plan your rail travel route to cover all Shanghai, Huashan and Xian as there are high speed trains linking Shanghai Hongqiao, Huashan North (HuashanBei)and Xian North.

Departure from Shanghai (Shanghai Hongqiao – Huashan North – Xian North): Take one of the 3 daily G-class high speed trains from Shanghai Hongqiao to Huashan North, taking 6.5 hours. After exploring Huashan, connect to a high speed train to Xian North, taking 45 minutes.

Departure from Xian (Xian North – Huashan North – Shanghai Hongqiao): Just get onboard one of the numerous high speed trains from Xian North to Huashan North. After that, get your next train to Shanghai Hongqiao.

Train Stations

Shanghai Railway Station

• Station name: Shanghai Station (上海站)
• Location:Minhang District (Google map)
• Getting there: by metro line 1, line 3 and line 4
• Shanghai metro (official site)

Xian North Station

• Station name: Xian North (Xianbei, 西安北站)
• Location: Weiyang District, Xian (Google Map)
• Getting there: at Bei Kezhan (North Railway Station) on metro line 3 & line 4 (under construction)

How to Buy Train Tickets

When to Buy Tickets

If you buy tickets at train stations, the tickets go on sale 28 days before travel date. If you book tickets online, the tickets start to sell 30 days in advance.

Where to Buy Tickets

You can buy them at train station, at the official booking site www.12306.cn or use a trusted ticket agent.

In Shanghai: You can buy tickets with your passports at ticket windows in any train stations in Shanghai, including the central Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai West or Shanghai South, etc. Pick the one close to you with easy access.

In Xi’an: You can buy tickets at Xian North, or Xian Railway Station, etc.

At 12306.cn: This is not a practical option as the www.12306.cn doesn’t has a English version and it only accepts Chinese bank card.

Buy online with a trusted ticket agent

If you are outside China, and want to buy tickets in advance online, you can turn to use an online ticke agent. Below are two trusted ticket agents who get positive reviews and recommended often on Trip Advisor:

• Buy at www.chinahiglights.com/china-trains/ (Sharon offers help)
• Buy at http://www.china-diy-travel.com/en/ (Promo code: ct123. Helen offers help)
• Service time: 24/7 hours Payments: Paypayl, Visa, MasterCard, Alipay, etc

More Train Routes

Shanghai to Hong Kong, Xian to Hong Kong, Shanghai to Hangzhou, Xian to Chengdu