Travelling from Suzhou – Nanjing by High Speed Train

1. Introduction:

Traveling between Nanjing and Suzhou by high-speed train is a convenient and efficient way to explore the rich cultural heritage and modern attractions these two cities have to offer.

Railway Maps

2. Nanjing – Suzhou Train Schedule:

Here is a summarized table of the train schedule for both directions:

There are over 200 daily bullet trains running between Nanjing and Suzhou. Most of the trains are using Nanjing South Railway Station, Nanjing Railway Station, and Suzhou Railway Station, Suzhou North Railway Station, with a few are stoping at Xianlin Railway Sation in Nanjing, and Suzhou Xinqu Station, Suzhou Yuanqu Station in Suzhou.

Train Type Departure Station Arrival Station Duration Frequency Fares
G-category Nanjing South Suzhou Station 1h20m 68 per day 115
D-category Nanjing South Suzhou North 1h10m 84 per day 115
D-category Nanjing Station Suzhou Station 1h25m 38 per day Varies
D-category Nanjing Station Suzhou Xinqu, Suzhou Yuanqu 1h 30min 4 per day Varies
For a live schedule & ticket availability & refer to www.chinahighlights.com & www.Trip.com

Train frequency, stations, prices, and durations may vary. It’s advisable to check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

3. Which Train Station in Nanjing:

In Nanjing, the high-speed trains depart from two main stations – Nanjing South Station and Nanjing Railway Station.

  • English name: Nanjing South Train Station (Nanjingnan)
  • Chinese name: 南京南站
  • Location: Yulan Road, Yuhuatai District, Nanjing of Jiangsu (Google map)
  • Opening date: July 28 of 2011
  • Metro links:  Line 1Line 3 and Line S1Line S3
  • English name: Nanjing Railway Station (Nanjing)
  • Chinese name: 南京站
  • Location:   Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing City (Google map)
  • Opening date: 1968
  • Metro links: metro line 1, line 3
  • Location: Nanjing Railway Station is located in the central area (in Xuanwu District) of Nanjing, facing the Xuanwu Lake near the Xinjiekou commercial district. Nanjing South Station (Nanjingnan Station) is situated in the Yuhuatai District, approximately 15 kilometers south of Nanjing’s city center.
  • Station Size and Capacity: Nanjing South Railway Station is much larger and more modern than Nanjing Railway Station. It has a larger number of platforms and tracks, allowing for a higher capacity of train services.
  • High-Speed Rail Services: Nanjing South Railway Station serves as a major hub for high-speed trains. It connects to multiple high-speed rail lines, including the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, Shanghai-Nanjing High-Speed Railway, and Nanjing-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway. Nanjing Railway Station also has some high-speed rail services, but not as many as Nanjing South.
  • Train Connections: Nanjing Railway Station primarily serves conventional railway lines and offers a mix of high-speed and regular train services to various destinations within China. Nanjing South Railway Station mainly focuses on high-speed trains, offering faster connections to major cities.
  • Accessibility: Nanjing South Railway Station is connected to the city’s subway network (Line 1, Line 3 and Line S1, Line S3), providing convenient access for travelers. Nanjing Railway Station is also accessible via the subway (Line 1, Line 3).
  • Passenger Traffic: Due to its convenient location and extensive high-speed rail connections, Nanjing South Railway Station generally sees a higher volume of passenger traffic than Nanjing Railway Station.
Features Nanjing South Nanjing Station Nanjing Lukou Airport
Location Yuhuatai District Xuanwu District 35km to city center
Transportation Metro Line 1, Line 3 and Line S1, Line S3  metro line 1, line 3  metro S1 line
Distance from City Center 15 km 5.5 km 35km
Train Service High-speed trains, High-speed trains & regular trains Domestic & Intl flights
Destinations Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming
Airport Connection
Opening Date 2011 1968 1997

4. Which Train Station in Suzhou:

Suzhou also has two major train stations: Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Station (Suzhoubei).

  • Suzhou Railway Station: can be reached by line 2, line 4
  • Suzhou North Railway Station: can be reached by line 2
  • Suzhou Yuanqu Station: can be reached by line 3
  • Suzhou Xinqu Station: can be reached by line 3

Suzhou & Nanjing Metro Map & Official Site

Nanjing’s metro network comprises 12 lines, and travelers can explore the city efficiently using the subway.

Suzhou’s metro network consists of 5 lines, and the English version of the Suzhou Metro website is a valuable resource for foreign travelers.

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 “Nanjingnan” as Nanjing South Station, “Suzhoubei” as Suzhou North Railway Station.

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