Shanghai → Xi'an
2026-10-23 · live availability
Every departure still bookable for 2026-10-23 is listed below — the first leaves Shanghai at 12:03 and the last at 18:33. The quickest takes 6h 26m. Travelling a day earlier or later? Change the date and the timetable refreshes.
Fares start at $33 per passenger and reach $124 for the top class, service fee included. Every row shows the class that fare buys.
At a glance
- Journey time
- 6h 26m – 20h 34m
- Trains per day
- 19
- First / last departure
- 12:03 / 18:33
- Departure stations
- Shanghai Songjiang (上海松江), Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥), Liantang (练塘), Shanghai (上海)
- Arrival stations
- Xi'an (西安), Xi'an North (西安北)
- Fares from
- $33 (hard seat)
Shanghai–Xi’an via the Xuzhou–Lanzhou high-speed line
Long enough to need planning, short enough to do in a day if you leave early.
The route runs west through Nanjing and Zhengzhou before turning towards the Wei River valley. Xi’an North is the terminus for almost all of these trains, and it connects to the metro; the Terracotta Army site is a further bus or taxi ride from the city.
- Book a morning departure if you want the afternoon in Xi’an — the run is around six hours.
- Xi’an North is north of the city wall; the metro takes about 30 minutes to reach the old centre.
Train Schedules
| Train | Departure time | Arrival | Shortest | From → To | from | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D112 | 12:03 | 03:30 +1 | 15:27 | Shanghai Songjiang → Xi'an | $42 | Second Class |
| G1928 | 12:36 | 20:00 | 07:24 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $350 | Business Class |
| G3161 | 12:51 | 21:46 | 08:55 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $366 | Business Class |
| G3161 | 13:18 | 21:46 | 08:28 | Liantang → Xi'an North | $354 | Business Class |
| D288 | 13:22 | 04:53 +1 | 15:31 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $42 | Second Class |
| G3296 | 13:27 | 21:53 | 08:26 | Liantang → Xi'an North | $335 | Business Class |
| G1932 | 13:38 | 20:41 | 07:03 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $341 | Business Class |
| G3296 | 13:58 | 21:53 | 07:55 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $323 | Business Class |
| D122 | 14:13 | 05:24 +1 | 15:11 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $41 | Second Class |
| Z376 | 15:38 | 07:35 +1 | 15:57 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $33 | Standing |
| K560 | 15:52 | 12:26 +1 | 20:34 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $33 | Standing |
| G1916 | 16:09 | 23:00 | 06:51 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $341 | Business Class |
| Z40 | 16:48 | 08:16 +1 | 15:28 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $146 | Deluxe Soft Sleeper |
| D216 | 16:54 | 07:49 +1 | 14:55 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $42 | Second Class |
| G1940 | 17:07 | 23:33 | 06:26 | Shanghai Hongqiao → Xi'an North | $350 | Business Class |
| Z304 | 17:46 | 08:42 +1 | 14:56 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $81 | Soft Sleeper |
| D126 | 18:09 | 09:01 +1 | 14:52 | Shanghai Songjiang → Xi'an | $42 | Second Class |
| D92 | 18:19 | 09:07 +1 | 14:48 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $41 | Second Class |
| Z164 | 18:33 | 09:19 +1 | 14:46 | Shanghai → Xi'an | $81 | Soft Sleeper |
Train letters on this date: G, D, Z, 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 Xi'an take?
The fastest service on this date takes 6h 26m. 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 Xi'an?
Second-class fares start at about $33 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 Songjiang and Shanghai Hongqiao and Liantang 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 (12306) and last checked on 2026-10-23. Prices include our service fee in US dollars.