This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my privacy policy.
If you’re travelling between Shanghai and Hangzhou, taking the high-speed train is by far the easiest option. The journey takes less than an hour, trains run frequently throughout the day, and tickets for this route are very affordable.
I recently took the train from Shanghai to Hangzhou myself and found the whole process much easier than expected. If you’re wondering how to book tickets, what to expect at the station, and how to get to Hangzhou’s West Lake area afterwards, here’s everything you need to know.
Book Your Train Ticket
I booked my ticket through Trip.com and would highly recommend doing the same; it is one of the best apps you can have for your China trip!
One thing I really liked is that you can reserve your ticket before it officially goes on sale. Trip.com will automatically purchase it for you as soon as tickets become available. That way you can make sure you have your preferred time slot booked, especially for busy train routes. If your plans change before then, you can simply cancel the reservation.
👉 Book your train ticket through Trip.com
Costs and departure times of the train between Shanghai and Hangzhou
The ticket cost me approximately 11.60 USD, which I thought was excellent value considering how fast and comfortable the journey was.
The earliest train already leaves at like 4 am and the latest train around 10:30pm. And the trains between Hangzhou and Shanghai go very frequently and the journey takes around 50 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. If you depart from another train station in Shanghai, the journey will be significantly longer.
Secure your spot in the train!
The ticket will be connected to your passport, so when you get to ticket control you will just have to get your passport scanned. It’s super convenient.
Getting to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
Most trains from Shanghai to Hangzhou depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. That’s where I also departed from as it was the most convenient connection.
If you’re staying in the main tourist areas of Shanghai, such as The Bund, People’s Square or Jing’an, expect the journey to the station to take around 30 to 45 minutes by metro. The green metro line 2 will get you there.
The station is enormous, so don’t underestimate how long it takes to get from the metro to your platform.
I would strongly recommend arriving at least one hour before departure. The train itself is quick, but the station experience is much more similar to an airport than a train station. You will need to go through security and it can be a little bit difficult to figure out where to go in the first place.
Are you looking for the best eSIM in China? Check out my post about the Airalo versus Holafly eSIM in China!
What to Expect at the Station
Once you arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, you’ll first need to go through a security check where your bags are scanned.
Unlike in other countries, your ticket is linked directly to your passport. So instead of getting a ticket checked, just show your passport.
After security, you’ll find large departure boards showing your train number, departure time, waiting area and platform information. But you should also be able to already see your departure gate in the trip.com app.
In the app you can also see:
- Train number
- Departure time
- Departure station
- Arrival station
- Carriage number
- Seat number
The station is very well organised and signage is available in both Chinese and English.
Boarding the Train
The boarding process is also similar to an airport.
Passengers wait in designated seating areas near the departure gate. Around 15 to 20 minutes before departure, boarding begins.
At the gate, your passport will be checked again before you can access the platform.
Once you’re through, simply go down the escalators and you will see your train waiting there already. Your carriage number is clearly displayed both on your ticket and on the train carriages.
What Are the Trains Like?
Before travelling in China, I had heard stories about people watching videos loudly or speaking on the phone throughout the journey. Personally, that wasn’t my experience at all.
I found the train quiet, clean and extremely comfortable. The seats were spacious, there was plenty of luggage storage, and everything felt very modern.
Honestly, China’s high-speed rail network is one of the most impressive I’ve ever used.
The journey from Shanghai to Hangzhou takes around 45 minutes, so you’ll arrive before you know it.
Also check out my guides on solo female travel in Shanghai and solo female travel in Beijing!
Arriving in Hangzhou
You’ll arrive at Hangzhou East Railway Station, another huge station with direct metro connections.
From here, it’s easy to reach Hangzhou’s main tourist area around West Lake using the metro.
Depending on where your hotel is located, you’ll most likely be travelling towards stations near West Lake, Longxiangqiao or Fengqi Road.
Just take the metro line one towards Linping direction.
If you’re staying near West Lake, expect the journey from the railway station to take around 20 to 30 minutes.
👉 Book your train ticket to Hangzhou
Where to Stay in Hangzhou?
I stayed at the Five-Star Bay Hotel in Hangzhou, and it was my favourite hotel I had stayed at during the entire trip. The hotel is located on the 5th floor of a small shopping centre, and the rooms were amazing. Electric curtains, a robot bringing me to my room, and the bed was so much more comfortable than the one I slept at in Shanghai.
It was like a 4-minute walk away from the West Lake, and all of that just around 35 USD at the time. Book your stay at the Five-Star Bay Hotel!
Overall experience taking the train from Shanghai to Hangzhou
Taking the train between Shanghai and Hangzhou is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities. It’s affordable, the trains run very frequently, and before you know it you already made it to your destination. Hangzhou is a beautiful city, and was one of my overall highlights in China; I would highly recommend a visit to this city.
Let me know if you have any questions
