Shanghai → Chengdu
2026-10-24 · live availability
Every departure still bookable for 2026-10-24 is listed below — the first leaves Shanghai at 09:51 and the last at 20:45. The quickest takes 12h 40m. Travelling a day earlier or later? Change the date and the timetable refreshes.
Fares start at $46 per passenger. The top class costs up to $636. Prices include our service fee, and every row shows the class that fare buys.
At a glance
- Journey time
- 12h 40m – 33h 04m
- Trains per day
- 6
- First / last departure
- 09:51 / 20:45
- Departure stations
- Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥), Shanghai (上海)
- Arrival stations
- Chengdu East (成都东), Chengdu West (成都西)
- Fares from
- $46 (hard seat)
Shanghai–Wuhan–Chengdu high-speed line
A full-day run across the middle of the country.
This is one of the longest high-speed journeys in China, crossing the Yangtze plain before climbing towards Sichuan. It is comfortable but long: most travellers take a morning train and arrive in the evening.
- For this distance, first class is worth considering — the difference over ten hours is more noticeable than on a two-hour hop.
- Chengdu East connects to the metro; the city’s older station is closer to the centre but handles fewer high-speed trains.
Train Schedules
| Train | Departure time | Arrival | Shortest | From → To | from | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1476 | 09:51 | 23:24 | 13:33 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Chengdu East | $636 | Business Class |
| G3284 | 10:37 | 23:17 | 12:40 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Chengdu East | $444 | Business Class |
| K1156 | 10:57 | 17:34 | 30:37 | Shanghai → Chengdu West | $46 | Standing |
| D972 | 18:22 | 08:57 +1 | 14:35 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Chengdu East | $115 | Second Class |
| D976 | 18:44 | 09:01 +1 | 14:17 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Chengdu East | $115 | Second Class |
| K282 | 20:45 | 05:49 +1 | 33:04 | Shanghai → Chengdu West | $49 | Standing |
Train letters on this date: G, D, K. What the letters mean →
Which station do you leave from?
Big Chinese cities have several stations, miles apart. The station on your ticket is the one you need — the city name alone is not enough.
FAQ
How long does the train from Shanghai to Chengdu take?
The fastest service on this date takes 12h 40m. Slower trains on the same route take longer — the timetable above lists the actual duration for every departure, so sort by journey time if speed matters more than the hour you leave.
How much is a train ticket from Shanghai to Chengdu?
Second-class fares start at about $46 per passenger including our service fee. Second class is the standard choice; first class and business class cost more and buy wider seats, not a faster train. The quote page always shows the underlying local fare and our fee as separate lines.
Which station in Shanghai does the train leave from?
On this date, departures leave from Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai. Large Chinese cities have more than one station and they are not within walking distance of each other, so check the station printed on your ticket rather than the city name.
Do I need to print a ticket?
No. Chinese railway tickets are issued against your passport, not a piece of paper. Carry the same passport you booked with, and staff will scan it at the gate. Keep the booking confirmation on your phone in case a conductor asks which seat is yours.
How far in advance can I book?
Chinese tickets are released about two weeks before departure, and this page only shows dates inside that window. Popular dates and holiday periods sell out early, so book as soon as your travel date appears.
Which class should I book?
Second class is the default on high-speed trains and is comparable to a short-haul airline seat. First and business class add space and recline for a premium. On overnight trains the choice matters more: a hard sleeper is a real bed, a hard seat is not. Our guide to seats and sleepers explains what each one actually looks like.
Popular Routes
Timetable and fares read from China Railway and last checked on 2026-10-24. Prices include our service fee in US dollars.