The Shanghai-Xi’An train line is a very popular train route in China as both cities are usually on the itinerary of first time visitors to China. It is serviced by several high-speed trains all day long as well as one very good overnight fast train. Bullet trains depart or arrive at the Shanghai Hongqiao railway station while in Xi’An high-speed trains connect at the Xi’An north railway station. The D306/308 overnight trains depart or arrive at the old Shanghai railway station.
Shanghai-Xi’An high-speed trains
There are 9 bullet (G) trains in each direction along this line. The first train departs very early in the morning while the last high-speed train departs in late afternoon. Depending on the train, the journey is between 6 and 7 hours. Read more about high-speed trains here.
These Shanghai-Xi’An high-speed trains offer 3 classes of travel for the following fares:
Business class – ¥2114
First class – ¥1095
Second class – ¥669.5
Watch this video about high-speed trains
Shanghai to Xi’An to Shanghai high-speed train timetable
| Train # | Dep. | Arr. | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1912 | 6:17 | 13:35 | 7 h 18 min |
| G1916 | 7:15 | 14:23 | 7 h 08 min |
| G360 | 8:45 | 14:42 | 5 h 57 min |
| G1920 | 9:18 | 16:56 | 7 h 38 min |
| G1924 | 11:43 | 19:01 | 7 h 18 min |
| G1928 | 12:56 | 20:31 | 7 h 35 min |
| G1932 | 14:22 | 20:34 | 6 h 12 min |
| G1936 | 16:13 | 23:06 | 6 h 53 min |
| G1940 | 17:05 | 23:36 | 6 h 31 min |
| Train # | Dep. | Arr. | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1914 | 6:23 | 13:20 | 6 h 57 min |
| G362 | 8:45 | 14:43 | 5 h 58 min |
| G1918 | 9:29 | 16:32 | 7 h 03 min |
| G1922 | 10:20 | 17:33 | 7 h 13 min |
| G1926 | 12:23 | 19:27 | 7 h 04 min |
| G1930 | 14:02 | 21:09 | 7 h 07 min |
| G1934 | 14:53 | 22:26 | 7 h 33 min |
| G1938 | 15:11 | 21:26 | 6 h 15 min |
| G1942 | 15:49 | 23:16 | 7 h 27 min |
Shanghai – Xi’An overnight trains
On this route, it is also possible to take the cheaper but slower overnight trains. Most trains are very slow as they make many stops. The most interesting one is the overnight high-speed train D306/308. The reasons for its popularity are the relative good speed for an overnight train and the fact that D trains are more recent and of better quality. It also runs at convenient times and offers the luxury soft sleeper class (compartments for 2 people with a private toilet). For travelers on a budget Z92/94 and Z252/Z254 are the best choice.
Ticket prices are as follows for D306/308:
Deluxe sleepers – ¥1606 (upper) – ¥1807 (lower)
Soft sleepers – ¥803.5 (upper) – ¥903.5 (lower)
2nd class seats – ¥459
And for Z92/94:
Deluxe sleepers – ¥902.5 (upper) – ¥941.5 (lower)
Soft sleepers – ¥4885 (upper) – ¥509.5 (lower)
Hard sleepers – ¥310.5 (upper) – ¥321.5 (middle) – ¥331.5 (lower)
Hard seats – ¥180.5
We strongly advise against booking train Z164/166 for the following reasons:
– They usually do not release soft sleepers on these trains.
– These trains go to or come from Tibet so that they are subject to special rules regarding changing or cancelling tickets. We cannot cancel or change online. Only the ticker holder can do it in person at the train station. For this reason we also require prepayment in full for these tickets.
– Z166 originates in Lhasa and the Lhasa-Shanghai route is one of the longest in China. It means that by the time that you get on in Xi’An, the train is very dirty and the beds sheets have not been changed since departure in Lhasa. Because of its duration, it is also very often delayed.
Watch this video about normal overnight trains:
Shanghai to Xi’An to Shanghai overnight trains timetable
| Train # | Dep. | Arr. | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| K290 | 8:50 | 4:29 | 19 h 39 min |
| K376 | 8:56 | 4:42 | 19 h 46 min |
| K360 | 9:23 | 6:15 | 20 h 52 min |
| K2186 | 11:03 | 8:57 | 21 h 54 min |
| T204 | 12:05 | 5:23 | 17 h 18 min |
| K560 | 14:49 | 11:36 | 20 h 47 min |
| T116 | 15:32 | 8:12 | 16 h 40 min |
| Z252 | 15:52 | 7:57 | 16 h 05 min |
| Z216 | 18:37 | 9:49 | 15 h 12 min |
| Z92 | 18:44 | 9:29 | 14 h 45 min |
| Z40 | 19:40 | 11:00 | 15 h 20 min |
| Z164 | 20:10 | 11:14 | 15 h 04 min |
| D306 | 22:55 | 9:53 | 10 h 58 min |
| Train # | Dep. | Arr. | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| T206 | 0:49 | 17:48 | 16 h 59 min |
| K292 | 9:37 | 5:34 | 19 h 57 min |
| K378 | 9:52 | 5:45 | 19 h 53 min |
| K362 | 10:54 | 6:08 | 19 h 14 min |
| Z94 | 16:46 | 7:53 | 15 h 07 min |
| K558 | 17:14 | 13:48 | 20 h 34 min |
| D308 | 19:50 | 6:35 | 10 h 45 min |
| T118 | 20:15 | 13:30 | 17 h 15 min |
| Z166 | 20:44 | 11:51 | 15 h 07 min |
| Z42 | 20:50 | 12:03 | 15 h 13 min |
| Z254 | 21:35 | 12:56 | 15 h 21 min |
| K2188 | 22:09 | 18:01 | 19 h 52 min |
| Z218 | 23:27 | 15:43 | 15 h 27 min |
Learn more about:
– High-Speed China trains
– Normal China trains
– Classes of travel on China trains
– China train stations
China train travel Tips
– How to buy train tickets
– How to pick up your train tickets
– Peak travel times to avoid
– How to read a train ticket
– Luggage on China trains
– Child discounts