How to Get from Shenzhen to Shanghai by Flight, Train 2025

If you're planning a tour combining Shenzhen with Shanghai, understanding your transportation options is crucial. This guide will help you navigate the journey between these two dynamic Chinese cities, separated by approximately 1,500 km (930 miles) but connected through efficient modern transit networks.

As China's pioneering special economic zone, Shenzhen offers visitors a glimpse into the country's rapid development, while Shanghai showcases its metropolis charm. Whether concluding a business trip or leisure stay in Shenzhen, traveling to Shanghai is straightforward with convenient options including flights, high-speed trains, and conventional rail services to match your travel preferences.

Which Way to Choose - Flight, Bullet Train, or Normal Train?

★ By Flight: The fastest way to reach Shanghai, requiring only 2.5 hours in the air. Occasionally, discounted economy tickets may be available at prices even more affordable than high-speed train fares.

★ By Bullet Train: A comfortable, enjoyable and environmentally-friendly option. The journey takes approximately 7 to 11.5 hours.

★ By Normal Train: The slowest route to Shanghai; carriages can be crowded but offer an economical choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Flights from Shenzhen to Shanghai

Soaring between China's twin economic powerhouses is swift and convenient, with Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (IATA: SZX) offering abundant daily connections to Shanghai. Located 32 km northwest of Shenzhen's bustling center, this major aviation hub provides travelers with a quick 2.5-hour journey across the country, making it ideal for business travelers or visitors with limited time. The frequent flight schedule ensures flexibility for your itinerary, allowing you to maximize your time exploring both innovative Shenzhen and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Real-Time Flight Schedules from Shenzhen to Shanghai ⋙

Shenzhen Airport Address: Bao’an Avenue, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province (深圳市宝安区宝安大道)

Shenzhen Airport

Trains from Shenzhen to Shanghai

For travelers seeking a blend of economy, comfort, and a glimpse of China's countryside, the rail connection between these cities offers an attractive alternative to flying. Shenzhen North Railway Station serves as the departure point for multiple high-speed trains bound for Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station, completing the journey in approximately 7~11.5 hours aboard China's modern rail network. Budget-conscious travelers can opt for overnight normal trains, which provide a leisurely 19-hour journey with sleepers.

Other Useful Link: Shanghai to Shenzhen Train Schedules ⋙

Shanghai Shenzhen High Speed Train Route

The railway between Shenzhen and Shanghai spans 1,623 kilometers (1,008 miles), connecting Guangdong Province with Shanghai. It passes through several provinces, including Fujian and Zhejiang, and serves dozens of intermediate stations in major cities such as Xiamen, Fuzhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo, and Hangzhou. This allows you to travel between Shanghai and Shenzhen with the option to stop over in the mentioned cities for a short tour. Please note that not all trains stop at the same stations, so travel times may vary.

Shenzhen Shanghai High Speed Train Map

Shenzhen North Railway Station (Shenzhenbei Railway Station, 深圳北站)

Shenzhen North Railway Station has hundreds of high speed trains running through. Travelers can go from/to Hong Kong, Guilin, Shanghai, Xiamen, Kunming, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Chaoshan, Huizhou, etc. Located in the north of Shenzhen City, it is about 10 kilometers from the new downtown in Futian and about 14 kilometers from the old downtown in Luohu District. Metro Line 4 and Line 5 can take you from the station to different area in Shenzhen, including attractions like Window of the World, Shenzhen Museum, Splendid China Folk Village, etc.

Learn more about Shenzhen Transportation Guide ⋙

Shenzhen Tours:

● 2 Days Shenzhen Short Stay Tour with All Essences
● 4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Explorer Tour by Bullet Train
● 6 Days Hong Kong Macau Shenzhen Fusion Tour

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station serves as Shanghai's premier high-speed rail terminal, conveniently integrated with Hongqiao International Airport to form one of East Asia's largest transportation hubs. It's about 20 km to the Bund, Shanghai Museum and Yuyuan Garen (about 45 minutes’ drive). The station is served by metro line 2, line 10 and line 17, which can easily take you to the city center and Zhujiajiao Water Town.

Learn more about Shanghai Train Stations ⋙

Shanghai Tours:

● 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
● 3 Days Shanghai Highlights Tour with Water Town
● 9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

How to Plan Your Shenzhen Shanghai Tour

As the "Silicon Valley" of China and the gateway city from China mainland to Hong Kong and Macau, Shenzhen, the city of "creativity" is valued as one of the “Top 10 cities to visit in 2019” by Lonely Planet with its unique charming modern city sightseeing, pleasant coastal line and so forth. Usually, you can visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong or Guangzhou and spend 1 day in Shenzhen to see the urban scenery and past change there. It’s suitable to tour Shenzhen for 2 ~ 3 days to visit the major sites of this city from its towering Pingan Finance Center, history introduction in Shenzhen Museum, fabulous Splendid China Folk Culture Village, Dafen Oil Painting Village, etc. Since May 1, 2019, Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) has been implementing 144-hour visa-free period for citizens from many countries, under certain conditions, you can go for a city tour to explore all the stunning attractions in the city even without applying for a visa.

✔ 2 Days Shenzhen Short Stay Tour with All Essences
✔ 3 Days Classic Shenzhen Tour
✔ 3 Days Shenzhen Business Tour (Customizable)

Travel from Shenzhen to Shanghai

Both Shanghai and Shenzhen are two highly developed cities in China. Different location and history bring the two destinations distinctive metropolis features and landscape. During your stay in Shenzhen, this young and energetic city has many theme parks and fasinating attractions showing its creation and rapid development. While in Shanghai, you have many places to experience the international city and its mixture of eastern and western culture. Two or three days is reommended to tour the essential landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Shanghai Museum, etc.

✔ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
✔ 3 Days Shanghai & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

Travel Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing & More China Destinations

With more time in Shanghai, you can extend the trip to the nearby cities of Shanghai such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan Mountain, etc. Besides Shanghai and its nearby cities, it is also highly recommended to extend your Shenzhen trip to the nearby cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau in the Great Bay Area, and a bit further to Guilin to admire the fantastic Karst landscape. Since Shenzhen has very good transportation with other destinations in China, it is also very good to travel to more top destinations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. to appreciate more highlights! Select your favorite one at below to start your exploration! If you have more ideas, please feel free to tell us to customize your Shenzhen Shanghai tour!,

✔ 4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Explorer Tour by Bullet Train
✔ 8 Days Amazing Greater Bay Area Tour
✔ 4 Days Shanghai Suzhou Excellent Tour
✔ 5 Days Essence of Shanghai & Hangzhou Tour

Ping'an Financial Center in Shenzhen Shenzhen Bay Park Paul & His Wife Visited the Bund Timothy Family in Yu Garden

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular China tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in China.