Shanghai – Changzhou Train: Schedule, Fares & Duration

With 191 high-speed trains operating between Shanghai and Changzhou, this route offers convenient and frequent travel options. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a business traveler, or simply looking to explore the charm of these two vibrant cities, traveling by train is an excellent choice.

Train Schedule

There are a total of 191 high-speed trains operating between Shanghai and Changzhou, providing travelers with a broad range of options. These trains offer varying travel durations, typically ranging from 35 minutes to 1 hour and 53 minutes. With such frequent departures, passengers can easily find a train that suits their schedule and preferences.

Train Type Departure Station Arrival Station Frequency Duration Fares
G/D Shanghai Hongqiao Changzhou Station 55 daily 60-90 mins ¥61
G/D Shanghai Railway Changzhou Station 66 daily 60-90 mins ¥84
G/D Shanghai Hongqiao Changzhou North 54 daily 35-76 mins ¥76
G/D Shanghai Railway Changzhou North 7 daily 40-74 mins ¥76
For a live schedule & ticket availability & refer to www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/

Which Station in Changzhou

Changzhou has two main train stations: Changzhou Railway Station and Changzhou North Railway Station.

Changzhou Railway Station: Serving as the central railway station in Changzhou, Changzhou Railway Station is conveniently located within the city. Travelers can easily reach the station by taking Line 1 the Changzhou Metro, as they have direct connections to the station.

Changzhou North Railway Station: Situated in the northern part of the city, Changzhou North Railway Station serves as an alternative option for those residing or desiring to visit that particular area. To access Changzhou North Railway Station by metro, take Line 1, which provides direct stop at the station.

Differences Changzhou Station Changzhou North Station
Location Located in Guanhe East Rd Tianning District Located in northern Changzhou, Binjiang New City area
Train Services Regular, High-Speed Rail High-Speed Rail
Rail Lines Shanghai-Nanjing ICR; Beijing-Shanghai Rail Beijing-Shanghai HSL
Metro Links Metro Line 1 Metro Line 1
Opeation operates 249 high speed trains daily operates 139 high speed trains daily
Connections Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Beijing, etc  Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Beijing, etc
To Airport 60 km to Nanjing Lukou International Airport 70 km to Nanjing Lukou International Airport

Which Station in Shanghai

From Shanghai to Changzhou by high speed train,  Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station are the primary choices.

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station: Located in the western part of Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao is both an airport and a railway station hub. It offers excellent connectivity, making it an ideal choice for travelers. To reach Shanghai Hongqiao Station by metro, take Line 2 or Line 10, line 17, as they both have direct stops at the station.

Shanghai Railway Station: Situated in the city center, Shanghai Railway Station is a major transportation hub for both high-speed trains and conventional trains. It provides easy access for travelers staying in downtown Shanghai. To reach Shanghai Railway Station by metro, take Line 1, Line 3, or Line 4, as they offer direct routes to the station.

You can use the official Shanghai metro http://service.shmetro.com/en/ to plan your route.

Features Shanghai Hongqiao Shanghai Station Shanghai South
Location Minhang District Jing’an District Xuhui District
Transportation metro line 2line 10line 17  metro line 1line 3 and line 4  metro line 1line 3 and line 15.
Distance from City Center 17.5 km (10.9 miles) 3.5 km (2.2 miles) 11 km (6.8 miles)
Train Service High-speed trains, High-speed trains & regular trains Regular trains
Destinations Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing Kunming, Guiyang, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc
Airport Connection
Opening Date 2010 1987 2006

How to Buy Tickets Online

There are several ways to book your train tickets online. Just remember that booking herizon for train tickets opens 15 days before your travel date. It is recommended to book you tickets as soon as possible in advance to secure your seat at your desired departure time.

1. Book with China Highlights

www.chinahighlights.com is a trusted online ticket agent who get possitive reviews & is  often recommended on Trip Advisor forum. They offer real-time train schedule online, English-language support, They can also provide assistance in case of any issues with your tickets or travel or when you’re running into trouble. Even they can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. You can place orders with them any time. They are helpful, especially when you’re not familiar with the China’s transportation system or do not speak Chinese.

2. Book with 12306 China Railway

www.12306.cn is the offcial website of China Railway, which now has supported English. It also provides an offcial ticketing (English version) App – Tielu 12306 for both iOS and Android.

Jack’s friendly reminder: In the official site www.12306.cn, you can enter “changzhoubei” as Changzhou North Railway Station.

When to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be booked up to 15 days on the official 12306 China Railway website. It is always advisable to buy tickets in advance to secure ticket availability or seat assignment. Ticets tend to sell out quickly especially during the bussy travel peak period, such as the public National Days (Gold Week), Labour’s Days, Chinese Moon Festival or Qingming Festival. But if you use an online ticket agent www.chinahighlights.com, you can order tickets any time with them and they will book it for you once the tickets are released online.

Trusted Online Ticket Agents:

Option 1: China Highlights is a reliable online agency  for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.

Option 2: Trip.com  is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc