Shanghai to Hangzhou/Hangzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train

The best way to travel between Shanghai and Hangzhou is by a bullet train. There are plentiful bullet trains running on the Shanghai-Hangzhou High Speed Rail Line. This line was put into use in October 2010, amking a train ride betweenShanghai and Hangzhou shortened to only 45 minutes.

The new line travels between the Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥) and Hangzhou East Station. The trains travel the 150 kilometer distance in about 45 minutes. It reaches a top speed of about 350 kilometers an hour or 217 miles an hour. About 150 trains travel between the city each day, and the passengers travel on several different models of trains. One of the models is China’s first Chinese-designed train to travel at that speed. Tickets between the Shanghai Hongqiao Station and Hangzhou cost about 130 RMB or 85 RMB or 20 dollars and 12 dollars depending on the class.

Along with frequent departures, part of what makes the new line convenient for travel between Hangzhou and Shanghai is that the Hongqiao Station is next to Shanghai’s International Airport, and it is on Shanghai’s Subway Line 2. Also, if you miss your train, you can easily get a replacement ticket at a window and catch a train soon after.

• 6-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou Tour: See the metropolis of Shanghai, classical landscape gardens of Suzhou and natural beauty of Hangzhou with high-speed train experience.
• See schedule, timetable and fare of Shanghai to Hangzhou bullet trains.

Stations on the Shanghai-Hangzhou High Speed Rail Line

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station(上海虹桥)，South Shongjiang松江南, North Jinshan (金山北), South Jiashan(嘉善南), South Jiaxing(嘉兴南), Tongxiang(桐乡),West Haining(海宁), South Yuhang(余杭南) and Hangzhou.

Ticket Price

Hangzhou-Shanghai Hongqiao
First-class seat: 131 yuan, second-class seat: 82 yuan

Hangzhou to Hangzhou to Tongxiang 
First class seat: 44 yuan, second-class seat: 28 yuan

Hangzhou to South Jiaxing
First class: 66yuan, second class: 41yuan

Hangzhou to South Jiashan
First class: 79 yuan, second class: 49 yuan

Hangzhou to North Jinshan
First class: 94 yuan, second class: 59 yuan

How to Buy the Ticket

Tickets for the new bullet train can be bought at train stations or booked through a travel agency. Bullet train tickets are available for sale 10 days before departure. You may need to book your tickets in advance on weekends or during the major Chinese holidays such as the Chinese New Year and National Day. From June 1, 2011, passengers need to present their valid ID (passport) to buy bullet train tickets (including tickets of C trains, D trains, and G trains). See details on how to buy train tickets in China.