Beijing to Shanghai Sleeper Train: Is the Night Train Worth It?
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Short answer: yes, if you want to save a day. A daytime G high-speed train takes about 4.5–6 hours. A night train takes about 10–12 hours, but you sleep through it and wake up in the other city, which also saves a hotel night. Night trains run in both directions. I took the night train from Shanghai to Beijing and paid about US$180 for two berths, one upper and one lower, in a soft-sleeper compartment. For a first night train, book a soft sleeper (软卧), not a hard sleeper (硬卧).
Checked November 2026. Train times from my trip, re-checked 21 October 2026. Schedules and fares change, so check the current timetable before you book. Price converted at the 11 November 2026 exchange rate.
Affiliate disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you book through one of them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
High-speed train or night train?
| G high-speed train (day) | Night train | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | about 4.5–6 hours | about 10–12 hours |
| Usual stations | Beijing South ↔ Shanghai Hongqiao | check your ticket |
| Seats | second class, first class, business | soft sleeper or hard sleeper |
| Hotel night | you still need one | saved |
| Best for | almost everyone | saving a full sightseeing day |
The flight looks faster on paper. Once you add the trip to the airport, security and baggage claim, the real time saving is close to zero.
Both cities have several stations. «Beijing» or «Shanghai» on a ticket doesn’t tell you which one, so check the station name in Chinese and English before you go.
Soft sleeper vs hard sleeper
- Soft sleeper (软卧, ruǎnwò): a closed compartment for four with a door. This is what I booked.
- Hard sleeper (硬卧, yìngwò): an open carriage with three-tier bunks and no door. Cheaper, but noisier. If you book it, take the lower bunk.
The price difference isn’t big, and for a first night train in China the closed compartment is worth it.
How much does the night train cost?
Our two berths in a soft-sleeper compartment, one upper and one lower, cost about 1,210 yuan (about US$180) together, converted at today’s rate. Other passengers can take the remaining two berths. Fares depend on the train and the class. When I compare it with flying, I subtract the hotel night I don’t need: after that the train often comes out cheaper than it looks.
How to book
Book on Trip.com in English with a foreign card, or in the official 12306 app. Tickets are linked to your passport, there’s no paper ticket. For night trains, book several weeks ahead: on popular dates the good compartments sell out first.
Search Beijing to Shanghai trains on Trip.com →
At the station
- Arrive 45–60 minutes before departure. There’s a passport check and a security check at the entrance.
- Find your gate number on the departure boards.
- The gate opens about 15–20 minutes before departure. Scan your passport and walk to your carriage.
What to bring
- Light clothes to sleep in. Compartments are often warm.
- Water and snacks.
- A charged power bank.
- Your hotel address in Chinese for the taxi in the morning.
Where to stay at each end: where to stay in Beijing and where to stay in Shanghai.
FAQ
How long is the night train from Beijing to Shanghai?
About 10–12 hours. The G high-speed train takes about 4.5–6 hours.
Night train or flight between Beijing and Shanghai?
The night train saves a day and a hotel night. Door to door, a flight saves little time.
Which sleeper class should I book?
For a first trip, a soft sleeper (软卧): a closed compartment for four. A hard sleeper (硬卧) is cheaper but open.
How early should I book?
Several weeks ahead for popular dates.
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