How to Travel from Shanghai to Xi’an

There are several ways to travel from Shanghai to Xi’an, so you can make decisions wisely according to  your tour itinerary, timetable, preferences and budget.  If you’re looking for the quickest way, you should fly directly from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Xianyang International Airport (XIY) (the airport of Xian). The flight journey costs about 800 CNY, but lasts only 2.5 hours.

Another great choice is the high-speed train that departs from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Railway Station and arrives at Xi’an North Railway Station. This train journey takes about 6 to 7 hours and costs roughly 670 CNY for a second-class seat.

However, if you wish to save money on transportation and you can handle with a longer trip, consider taking a regular-speed train from Shanghai Railway Station to Xi’an Railway Station. However, be ready for a travel time of about 16 to 22 hours. The ticket price is around 330 CNY for a hard sleeper berth.

Travel from Shanghai to Xian by High-speed Train

• Departure Station: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
• Arrival Station: Xi’an North Railway Station
• Distance: about 1,509 km (938 miles)
• Duration: 6-9 hours
• Ticket Prices: USD 110 to USD 140 (Second class seat), USD 180 to USD 220 (First class seat), USD 330 to USD 336 (Business class seat)

High-speed trains are comfortable, convenient, and extremely fast. With spacious seats, air conditioning, power outlets, and Wi-Fi on board, they can zoom up to 350 km/h. In addition, they experience far fewer delays and fewer stops than regular trains.

If you’re planning a trip from Shanghai to Xi’an using a high-speed train, you’ve got quite a few choices available. There are about 10 high-speed or bullet trains running daily between these two cities. The trips can take anywhere from 6 to 9 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $110 to $336. The quickest ride, the G360, leaves Shanghai’s Hongqiao station at 8:55 AM and gets to Xi’an North by 2:34 PM, taking just 5 hours and 39 minutes.

Most of these high-speed trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao and finish up at Xi’an North Railway Station. To get your tickets, you can book via China Railway official site, at the train station itself, or ask your travel consultant of China Xian tour.

Shanghai – Xi’an High-speed Train Schedule

Updated on November 2, 2023

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station stands as one of Asia’s biggest and most bustling train hubs. It’s the key spot for high-speed train journeys connecting various significant cities in China like Beijing, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and many more. Found adjacent to Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, the station links up with Shanghai Metro lines 2, 10, and 17.

Covering an area of 1.3 million square metres, this station has 16 platforms for China’s cross-city railways and 11 platforms for Shanghai’s downtown intercity railways. It can accommodate up to 210,000 passengers per day. Here, travellers can enjoy many services such as shops, restaurants, lounges, ticket offices, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi.

Xian North Railway Station

Located in the Weiyang District, Xi’an North Railway Station is an essential component of China’s high-speed rail system. Many large Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu have trains from and going to this station. Additionally, it has a good connection to metro Line 2, which gives you easy access to nearby tourist attractions like the Bell Tower.

The station boasts a modern layout and spans across an area of 83 acres. Split into north and south squares, the station building sits in between. The south square serves as the primary entry point, hosting facilities like the subway station, public bus stops, taxi stands, and parking spaces for cars. With a total of 18 platforms and 34 rail lines, there’s a lot of movement happening here.

Visitors can explore various food and beverage services along with shops available on the second floor. Additionally, if you need help with your luggage, you can access portage services at the entrances on the first or second floor for a small fee.

How to get to major tourist attractions in Xian from Xian North Railway Station?

• For the Terracotta Army: Take Bus 266 or Metro Line 4 directly to the museum without any transfers. The bus stop is at the south square of the railway station, while the metro station is at the north square. This journey costs around CNY 9 per person and takes about 1.5 hours.
• To reach the Bell Tower: Hop on Metro Line 2, just inside the railway station. It takes only 30-minute and costs approximately CNY 4 per person. Nearby, you can explore the Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, and the Great Mosque on foot.
• For the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: Take Metro Line 4 to Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Station. The metro station is at the north square of the railway station, and the journey costs about CNY 5 per person, taking around 40 minutes. From there, you can simply walk to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, and Tang Paradise. Very convenient.
• Heading to the Shaanxi History Museum: Take Metro Line 4 to Xiaozhai Station and walk for about 15 minutes to reach the museum. The ride costs approximately CNY 5 per person and takes about 50 minutes.

√ Top Recommended Xi’an Tours:

• Xian Highlight Day Tour
• 3 Days Xi’an History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
• 4 Days Xian Classic Tour with Mt. Huashan

Travel from Shanghai to Xian by Airplane

If you will have a trip from Shanghai to Xi’an by plane, there are a handful of choices. There are several airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines, which offer nonstop flights between Shanghai and Xian. The 790-mile journey takes around 2 hours and 27 minutes Sites. You can simply search flights that fit your budget and schedule.

You can choose fly from either Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) in Shanghai, and you’ll land at Xianyang International Airport (XIY) in Xi’an. If you check the flight schedule, you can find approximately 100 non-stop flights each week. It means averaging around 14 flights daily.

Flying from Shanghai to Xi’an is a great option for most travelerse. Nevertheless, flying usually cost more money and isn’t as environmentally friendly as traveling by fast bullet train. You will also have to consider additional expenses, like taxi for getting to and from the airport. Besides, you may encounter potential weather-related delays or cancellations when opting for air travel.

Shanghai to Xi’an Flights Schedule

Travel from Shanghai to Xian by Normal Train

There are around 12 normal-speed trains journeying between Shanghai and Xi’an. The trip duration ranges from 16 to 22 hours, depending on the train and route, covering a distance of about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles).

Departing from Shanghai Railway Station and reaching Xi’an Railway Station, both stations are conveniently located in the city centers, making transportation easy.

For seating options on the Shanghai to Xi’an normal train:

Superior Soft Sleeper:  the most luxurious and most expensive choice, yet featuring a private compartment with four berths, including air-conditioning, bedding, power sockets, a small table, and a private toilet. Priced at CNY 902.5 per person.

Soft Sleeper: Another comfortable option, offering a private compartment with four berths, air-conditioning, bedding, power sockets, and a small table. But, please note the toilet and washroom are shared by the whole carriage. Priced at CNY 488.5 per person.

Hard Sleeper: The most popular and budget-friendly choice for long-distance travel, this type of seat provides an open compartment with six berths, air-conditioning, bedding, and power sockets. The toilet and washroom are also shared with others. Priced at CNY 310.5 per person.

Hard Seat: The cheapest option, but very uncomfortable if you take a long trip. There are five seats in a row without reclining capabilities, air-conditioning, power sockets, and shared toilet facilities. Priced at CNY 180.5 per person.

Schedule of Normal Trains from Shanghai to Xi’an

How to Plan a Shanghai to Xian Tour?

A journey from the bustling city of Shanghai to the historically rich Xi’an offers a perfect blend of modernity and history. In Shanghai, you are suggested to have two to three days to experience the food, skylines, local life of this modern metropolis. The the Bund lined with colonial archiectures, the Nanjing Road pedestrian street for shopping, the artistic Tianzifang, and Shanghai Disneyland for families are all moments not to be missed.

√ Recommended Shanghai Tour: 3 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour

How about taking a 5 to 6 hours high-speed train ride from From Shanghai to  Xi’an. Here, stay three days to fully immerse yourself in the deep historical heritage of China, one of the world’s most important ancient capitals. You can visit the Terracotta Warriors to witness the grand army led by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Listen to the echoes of history at Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Make sure you also ascend the ancient City Wall and have a bike trip.  Savor authentic Northwestern cuisine on the Muslim Quarter’s bustling streets. Looking for a thrill in Xian, cimb the world’s most precipitous mountain – Mount Huashan.