Shanghai to Nanjing Train: Nanjing or Nanjing South?
Sources and freshness
Static planning guidance on this page is reviewed by the China Train Tickets editorial team. Train times, fares, seat classes, and availability can change, so the live result for your selected travel date is authoritative.
- Primary operational reference
- China Railway 12306 (live results may change when railway operations change)
- Page reviewed
Shanghai → Nanjing: editorial journey concept with destination-themed artwork; not a route map, photograph or service guarantee.
Shanghai to Nanjing has several useful station combinations. Compare Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥) and Shanghai Railway Station (上海站) on the departure side, and Nanjing (南京站) with Nanjing South (南京南) on arrival. The right choice depends on both your Shanghai starting point and where you want to go in Nanjing.
Nanjing and Nanjing South are separate stations
Nanjing Railway Station is on Longpan Road in Xuanwu district; Nanjing South is on Yulan Road in Yuhuatai district. The municipal transport guide identifies both as rail terminals. Do not assume that a high-speed ticket necessarily arrives at Nanjing South or that “Nanjing” is just an abbreviation for it.
For a hotel or attraction in the Xuanwu area, compare the transfer from Nanjing Railway Station. For an onward high-speed departure or a destination south of the center, compare Nanjing South. These are planning starting points: the best option still depends on the address, current city transport and train schedule.
Select your Shanghai departure independently
Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao are in different parts of the city. Choose a departure you can reach comfortably from your accommodation, with time for station entry. Do not make a long cross-city transfer just to save a few minutes on the train unless the complete journey is better.
Use the full issued station name when sharing pickup details. If your return train reaches a different Shanghai station, plan the journey home from that station separately.
A realistic day trip or rail connection
For a day trip, choose a compact sightseeing area and check attraction reservation or opening requirements before fixing the train times. Leave room for the trip back to the actual departure station, not merely to the closest station on the map.
For an onward train, confirm whether both legs use Nanjing or both use Nanjing South. A connection between the two stations requires city transport plus the next boarding process. Buying two separate tickets does not make the transfer time automatically sufficient.
Compare the actual service
Check the date-specific train duration, stops, seat class and final price. Faster stopping patterns can cost more, and first or business class is not offered on every service. For most short visits, a useful station and departure time matter more than a premium seat.
Plan the rest of your journey
- Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station Guide
- China Train Station Guide for First-Time Visitors
- Shanghai to Suzhou Train Guide
Official sources and live checks
Editorial review: 11 October 2026. The sources below support station and route planning. Check China Railway 12306 for the actual travel date; historical announcements do not confirm today’s timetable, prices or seat inventory.
