Journey To ChinaLast updated
The complete station name anchors the journey
Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai, Shanghai South and Shanghai Songjiang serve different parts of the city. The complete Chinese station name in the 12306 order is the most reliable destination for a map search or car booking.
Shanghai trains use several stations; the 12306 order identifies the exact departure terminal.
Foreign passport holders can buy e-tickets through the English China Railway 12306 website or app. Bring the original passport used for the booking; it serves as the boarding credential. A staffed inspection lane handles passports that an automatic gate cannot read.
Security, identity checks and the walk between the waiting hall and gate are part of the departure process. Weekends and public holidays can add more time at each stage.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)
Shanghai Hongqiao is west of central Shanghai and shares the wider transport hub with Hongqiao Airport T2. Metro Lines 2, 10 and 17 serve the station. Its large elevated waiting hall places numbered gates above the platforms, and many high-speed services for Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and destinations farther away depart here.
Railway Departures, the airport, metro and ride-hailing areas each have their own signed routes within the hub.
- Metro: Lines 2, 10 and 17, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.
- Convenient for: Hongqiao Business District, National Exhibition and Convention Center, western Changning and Qingpu.
- Airport transfer: follow signs to walk to Hongqiao Airport T2, leaving time for airline check-in and security.
- On arrival: reach the correct taxi or ride-hailing level before ordering a car.
Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)
Shanghai Railway Station is north of the central city in Jing'an District. Metro Lines 1, 3 and 4 serve Shanghai Railway Station Metro Station (上海火车站站). It is often closer than Hongqiao for hotels around People's Square, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an Temple, Suzhou Creek and the North Bund.
Shanghai Railway Station has several entrances and squares. Add the exact pickup area when sending the location to a driver.
- Metro: Lines 1, 3 and 4, Shanghai Railway Station Metro Station.
- Convenient for: Jing'an, People's Square, West Nanjing Road, Suzhou Creek and the northern central city.
- Chinese names: the railway station is 上海站; the metro station is 上海火车站站.
- On arrival: check which side of the station faces the hotel before joining a taxi queue or booking a car.
Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站)
Shanghai South is southwest of the centre in Xuhui District. Metro Lines 1, 3 and 15 serve the station. The circular station integrates railway, metro and ground transport around a central concourse; its own train services are listed under 上海南站 in 12306.
The circular building is distinctive. Inside, follow the signs for the railway entrance, metro or ground transport.
- Metro: Lines 1, 3 and 15, Shanghai South Railway Station.
- Convenient for: Xujiahui, Caohejing, Shanghai Botanical Garden and southwestern Xuhui.
- Transfer tip: check whether the next leg is a national railway train, metro or another suburban service.
- On arrival: lifts and accessible routes make the transfer through the circular station easier with large luggage.
Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station (上海松江站)
Shanghai Songjiang lies well southwest of the traditional city centre and connects with Metro Line 9. It suits journeys around Songjiang New City, Guangfulin and Sheshan. For hotels near the Bund, People's Square or Jing'an, include the long cross-city transfer in the plan.
Shanghai Songjiang is the current station name. Old maps may use an earlier name, so follow the current 12306 order.
- Metro: Line 9, Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station.
- Convenient for: Songjiang New City, Guangfulin, Sheshan and southwestern Shanghai.
- Location: the station serves southwestern Shanghai and is distinct from Shanghai South Railway Station.
- On arrival: compare the full Line 9 journey with a road transfer, and check the last train after a late arrival.
