Shanghai to Nanjing: Distance, Travel Options, and Time
Shanghai and Nanjing—two Yangtze River Delta megacities—are connected by one of China's most intensive transport corridors.
Distance
- By road (expressway): ~295 km (183 mi) — G42 / G25 / G4011
- By rail (high-speed line): ~315 km (196 mi) — slightly longer alignment
- Straight-line: ~260 km (162 mi)
Travel Options & Times
| Mode | Time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|
| High-Speed Rail (G/D trains) | 1h 10m – 1h 40m | Every 10–20 min (peak) | Shanghai Hongqiao / Shanghai → Nanjing South. 300–350 km/h. Best option. |
| Conventional Rail | 3–4.5 hrs | Several daily | Shanghai / Shanghai West → Nanjing. Cheaper, slower. |
| Driving (G42 / G25) | 3–4 hrs | On demand | Traffic variable (Suzhou/Wuxi choke points). Tolls ~¥120. |
| Long-Distance Bus | 3.5–5 hrs | Frequent | Shanghai General / Hongqiao Hub → Nanjing stations. |
| Flight | ~1h 10m (air) + 3h airport | Several daily | PVG/SHA → NKG. Not time-competitive vs HSR. |
Station Guide
- Shanghai Hongqiao (虹桥): Integrated with Hongqiao Airport (SHA), Metro Lines 2, 10, 17. Main HSR departure point.
- Shanghai Railway Station (上海站): Downtown, Metro 1, 3, 4. Mostly conventional + some HSR.
- Nanjing South (南京南): Primary HSR hub, Metro 1, 3, S1, S3. 15 km south of center.
- Nanjing Railway Station (南京站): Central, Metro 1, 3. Conventional + some HSR.
Booking Tips
- Book via 12306.cn (official), Ctrip, or Alipay/WeChat mini-programs.
- Advance: 30 days (15 days for holiday peaks).
- Seat classes: Business (2+1), First (2+2), Second (3+2). Second class ~¥140–180.
- ID required: Passport (foreigners) / ID card (Chinese).
Why HSR Dominates
City-center to city-center in under 2 hours, high frequency, reliability, comfort, productivity (WiFi, power). Driving only wins for: multiple passengers, lots of luggage, destination far from Nanjing South, or road-trip preference.
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