How to Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a G-train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East — 45–60 minutes, ¥73–87 for a second-class seat — then Metro Line 1 to West Lake in about 20 minutes. Over 160 trains run daily from approximately 05:45 to 21:30. This is one of the busiest and most reliable high-speed rail corridors in China.

Factor	Best Option
Fastest	Direct G-train Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou East (45 min)
Cheapest high-speed	D-train (~¥59–71, 1–1.5 hrs)
Best for West Lake	G-train to Hangzhou East + Metro Line 1
Best For	All visitors — easy day trip or overnight

Hangzhou (杭州), home to West Lake (西湖), Longjing tea plantations, and Lingyin Temple, is about 160 km from Shanghai. Marco Polo famously called it "the most beautiful and splendid city in the world." The high-speed train makes it an easy day trip or a relaxed 1–2 night getaway.

Compare Your Options

Method	Cost	Time	Difficulty
G-train (Recommended)	¥73–87	45–60 min	Easy ⭐
D-train	¥59–71	1–1.5 hrs	Easy
Regular K-train	¥28.5	2–3 hrs	Moderate
Long-distance bus	¥80–130	2.5–4 hrs	Moderate

Option 1 — High-Speed G-Train (Recommended)

Which stations to use

In Shanghai:

Station	Chinese	Notes
Shanghai Hongqiao	上海虹桥站	⭐ Most frequent departures; easiest for most travelers; Metro Lines 2/10/17
Shanghai Station	上海站	Some G-trains; central location; Metro Lines 1/3/4
Shanghai South	上海南站	Fewer high-speed trains; mostly D/C-trains

In Hangzhou:

Station	Chinese	Notes
Hangzhou East	杭州东站	⭐ Most G-trains arrive here; modern station; Metro Lines 1/4/6/19
Hangzhou Station	杭州站	Central station near West Lake; fewer G-trains; Metro Lines 1/5
Hangzhou West	杭州西站	Newer station, farther from West Lake; some G-trains
Hangzhou South	杭州南站	Far from the city center; avoid unless your train only stops here

[!TIP] Book a train to Hangzhou East (杭州东) for the most frequent service and best metro connections. If a train to Hangzhou Station (杭州站, also called Chengzhan 城站) fits your schedule, it is even closer to West Lake — just a 10-minute taxi ride. Avoid Hangzhou South and Hangzhou West unless you have a specific reason.

Step-by-step

Get to Shanghai Hongqiao Station. Take Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to Hongqiao Railway Station. Allow 40–60 minutes from central Shanghai depending on your location.
Buy your ticket. Book through Trip.com (English, international cards), the 12306 app, or at station ticket machines/windows. Bring your passport.
Board the G-train. Look for train numbers starting with "G." Direct G-trains take as little as 45 minutes. G-trains that stop at intermediate stations take 55–70 minutes.
Arrive at Hangzhou East Station. Follow the signs to the metro.
Take Metro Line 1 (bound for Xianghu 湘湖) from Hangzhou East to Ding'an Road Station (定安路站) or Longxiangqiao Station (龙翔桥站) — both are a 5–10 minute walk from West Lake. The metro ride takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥4.

Train details

Detail	Information
Main route	Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou East
First train	~05:44
Last train	~21:29
Frequency	Every 10–20 min; 160+ trains daily
G-train duration	45–70 min (direct: 45–55 min)
D-train duration	1–1.5 hrs
Second class (G-train)	¥73–87 (most common: ¥73)
First class (G-train)	¥117–140
Business class (G-train)	¥219.5–306
Second class (D-train)	¥59–71
Distance	159–169 km

[!NOTE] Most Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou East G-trains cost ¥73 for second class. Some trains on slightly different routes or to Hangzhou Station may cost ¥87. Verify the exact fare when booking.

From Hangzhou East to West Lake

Method	Time	Cost
Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao	~20 min	¥4
Taxi / DiDi	20–40 min (depending on traffic)	¥40–60
Bus 28 or 31	30–50 min	¥2

From Longxiangqiao Station (龙翔桥), Exit C leads directly to the eastern shore of West Lake near Hubin Road (湖滨路). From Ding'an Road Station (定安路), Exit F leads to the southern end of the lake.

Option 2 — D-Train (Cheaper High-Speed)

D-trains on the Shanghai–Hangzhou route cost about ¥59–71 for second class and take 1–1.5 hours. They make more stops than G-trains but are still significantly faster than regular trains. If you are on a budget and not in a rush, D-trains are a comfortable and reliable option.

Option 3 — Regular Train (Budget)

Regular K/T-trains from Shanghai South to Hangzhou Station cost ¥28.5 for a hard seat and take 2–3 hours. These are slower and less comfortable, but they are the cheapest option and arrive at Hangzhou Station, which is closer to West Lake.

How to Get Back

Return G-trains from Hangzhou East to Shanghai Hongqiao run until approximately 21:30, with frequent departures throughout the evening.
If you stay for the famous West Lake night views or the impression of the lake after dark, aim to catch a train by 20:30–21:00 for a comfortable margin.
If you miss the last train: Hangzhou has abundant hotels (¥200–500 for mid-range). A taxi or DiDi back to Shanghai costs ¥500–700.
Book your return in advance, especially on Sunday afternoons and evenings when the line is heavily used by commuters and weekend travelers.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Check return train times on 12306 or Trip.com when you arrive in Hangzhou.

Chinese Names You May Need

English	Chinese	Pinyin
Hangzhou	杭州	Hángzhōu
West Lake	西湖	Xī Hú
Shanghai Hongqiao Station	上海虹桥站	Shànghǎi Hóngqiáo Zhàn
Shanghai Station	上海站	Shànghǎi Zhàn
Hangzhou East Station	杭州东站	Hángzhōu Dōng Zhàn
Hangzhou Station	杭州站	Hángzhōu Zhàn
Ding'an Road Station	定安路站	Dìng'ān Lù Zhàn
Longxiangqiao Station	龙翔桥站	Lóngxiángqiáo Zhàn
Lingyin Temple	灵隐寺	Língyǐn Sì
Longjing Tea Village	龙井村	Lóngjǐng Cūn

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Booking to the wrong Hangzhou station. Hangzhou has four railway stations. Hangzhou East (杭州东) is the main one with the most trains and best metro access. Hangzhou Station (杭州站/城站) is closer to West Lake but has fewer G-trains. Hangzhou South (杭州南) is far from the center. Always check your ticket.
Going to the wrong Shanghai station. Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Station, and Shanghai South are on different metro lines and can be 30–60 minutes apart. Confirm your departure station the night before.
Underestimating Hongqiao Station. Shanghai Hongqiao is one of the largest railway stations in Asia. Allow at least 30–40 minutes from metro arrival to your train, especially during peak hours. Security lines can be long.
Missing the last metro back from West Lake. Hangzhou Metro Line 1 stops running around 22:30–23:00. If you take a late train back to Shanghai, you may need a taxi from Hongqiao to your hotel.
Not booking on holidays. The Shanghai–Hangzhou line is one of the busiest in China. During Golden Week (Oct 1–7), Spring Festival, and other major holidays, trains sell out days in advance.
Confusing business class with first class. On G-trains, second class is perfectly comfortable for a 45–60 minute ride (2+2 seating with power outlets). First class offers wider seats (2+1) but is rarely necessary for such a short journey.

Tickets & Reservations

West Lake itself is free and open 24 hours. Individual attractions on the lake (Leifeng Pagoda ¥40, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon boat ¥55–70) charge separate fees.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak require a combined ticket (¥75 peak season). Book in advance on Trip.com or through the official WeChat mini-program during peak season.
Longjing tea village is free to visit; tea tasting and purchases vary in price.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Need help booking train tickets, arranging a Hangzhou day tour, or planning a Shanghai–Hangzhou–Suzhou itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

Shanghai Travel Guide — your starting point
Hangzhou Travel Guide — full city guide with West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Longjing tea
How to Get from Hangzhou to Wuzhen by Public Transport — combine Hangzhou with a water town
12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
Didi Ride-Hailing Guide for Foreigners — backup transport option

Train schedules and fares are based on 12306, gaotie.com.cn, TravelChinaGuide, and Trip.com listings (verified August 2026). A new Shanghai–Hangzhou high-speed railway is under construction (expected to reduce travel time to ~40 minutes), but is not yet in service. Prices and times may change — check 12306 or Trip.com before booking.

Last verified: August 2026