How long does the train from Shanghai to Guangzhou take?

The fastest high-speed trains do it in about 6h 14m, over roughly 1,800 km between Shanghai Hongqiao and Guangzhou South.

How much is a Shanghai to Guangzhou train ticket?

Second class on the fastest service is around US$132 on Trip.com (their USD selling price, which includes service fees and FX, not the official 12306 face fare). It varies by train and date — check Trip.com for the live price. Sampled 2026-06-02.

How often do trains run from Shanghai to Guangzhou?

There are several high-speed services a day, fewer than on the busiest corridors. Availability for your date is not checked on this site; book a specific train rather than assuming a later one.

Can foreign passport holders book the Shanghai–Guangzhou train?

Foreign-passport travellers can use official 12306, which has an English entry, or Trip.com. Complete the chosen platform’s identity and payment checks and travel with the passport used to book. No particular card’s success is guaranteed.

Shanghai to Guangzhou by high-speed rail

Route at a glance

From: Shanghai Hongqiao
To: Guangzhou South
Distance: 1,800 km
Fastest: 6h 14m
Frequency: Several per day

Fare (second class, sampled)

US$132

on the fastest service, via Trip.com. Their USD price includes fees and FX — not the 12306 face fare. Live price and other classes on Trip.com. Snapshot 2026-06-02.

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Decide before you book

Which station: Departs Shanghai Hongqiao; arrives Guangzhou South. If the city has more than one station, check which one is closer to where you are staying before you pick a train. Station-to-hotel times are not measured on this page.
On-board vs door-to-door: 6h 14m is the fastest scheduled on-board time between those two stations. Door-to-door time (getting to the station, ticket and passport checks, boarding) is not included and has not been measured here.
Seats on your date: not checked Availability for a specific date is not checked on this site; the booking page shows it for your date.
Where to stay: Before paying for a hotel at either end, read foreign-passport hotel check-in and, for Shanghai, which first-night area.Hotels in Guangzhou on Trip.com →

Tips for the Shanghai–Guangzhou ride

seats: not checked Frequency notes below describe the timetable pattern, not availability on your date. Tickets are sold per train; confirm the train and seat on the booking page before you travel.

Choose the fastest G-trains; slower services stretch well past seven hours.
Consider breaking the trip in Hangzhou or Changsha if you want to sightsee en route.
The trains have a dining car and trolley service, but packing food helps on a long ride.

Booking as a foreigner

Compare the official 12306 English entry and Trip.com. Check identity requirements, accepted payment methods, total price and refund rules before choosing.

Foreign-passport train guide 12306 vs Trip.com

On a 240-hour transit?

If you're riding this leg as part of a China visa-free transit, your route, ports, and stay window all have to line up. Run it through the checker before you commit to the booking.

Check 240h eligibility

Popular high-speed rail routes

Shanghai to Beijing — 4h 24m, from US$98
Beijing to Xi'an — 4h 10m, from US$85
Xi'an to Chengdu — 3h 7m, from US$44
Chengdu to Chongqing — 1h 15m, from US$19
Shanghai to Hangzhou — 45m, from US$13
Shanghai to Suzhou — 23m, from US$6
Guangzhou to Hong Kong — 48m

See all high-speed rail routes →

Shanghai to Guangzhou by high-speed rail

Book the Shanghai–Guangzhou train