Beijing to Shanghai Trips – How Long, Cost & Routes (2026)

Beijing → Shanghai transport

ModeDurationFare
HSR5h 58m$98
Flight2h 15m$62

Itineraries

BEIJING → SHANGHAI · 15 Days
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai · 15 Days

Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,684.

Stand on Badaling Wall as Beijing fades into the haze belowWatch the Terracotta Warriors mid-march, 2,200 years and still goingSample Shanghai's soup dumplings at a local eatery
$1,500est. $1,684BUDGETOCTOBER1 ADULT
SHANGHAI → BEIJING · 10 Days
Shanghai → Beijing · 10 Days

The Bund and Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, then Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing — 10 days for $2,512.

Ride the high-speed rail from Shanghai to BeijingExplore the Forbidden City's halls at noonDine on Peking roast duck in Beijing's hutong
$2,000est. $2,512COMFORTJUNE1 ADULT
BEIJING → SHANGHAI · 10 Days
Beijing → Shanghai · 10 Days

Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, then The Bund and Yu Garden in Shanghai — 10 days for $1,355.

Stand on Badaling Wall as Beijing fades into the haze belowWatch the light shift across the Oriental Pearl Tower at duskEat soup dumplings at a Xianxia Street vendor
$1,500est. $1,355STANDARDJUNE1 ADULT

FAQ

How do you get from Beijing to Shanghai?

The fastest option is HSR (5h 58m, $98).

How long does it take to travel from Beijing to Shanghai?

About 5h 58m by HSR, or 2h 15m by Flight.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the train from Beijing to Shanghai?

HSR costs $98 versus $62 by Flight. For most Beijing–Shanghai trips the train wins on city-center-to-city-center time.

How many days do you need for a Beijing to Shanghai trip?

Most Beijing–Shanghai itineraries run 7–14 days depending on how many stops you add between the two cities.

What's the best time to do a Beijing to Shanghai trip?

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal across most of China. Avoid the early-October Golden Week holiday.