How to Get from Shanghai to Xian 2025

As one of the largest international airports in China, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in the east of Shanghai, about 35 km to the Bund, 30min to Shanghai Disney Resort by car. You can take Metro Line 2 and stop at Lujiazui, Nanjing Road, Zhongshan Park, etc, or easily grab a cab heading downtown. Also, the fastest train in China, Shanghai Maglev Train is here connecting Pudong Airport to the downtown area with the highest speed over 430 km/h. Different bus lines serve day and night and spread over the city and each bus departs within every half an hour with some shuttle buses running between Pudong airport and Hongqiao airport.

Address: 2550 Hongqiao Rd, Changning District, Shanghai 上海市长宁区虹桥路2550号

Located in the west of Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is near the downtown of Hongqiao in Changning District. By comparison with Pudong international airport, it mainly serves domestic and regional flights. It is quite convenient since the Metro station right inside the airport helps passengers save a lot of time and the airport is very close to the city center, only 13 km to the Bund, about 50 minutes (via Metro line 10) to reach the ancient Yuyuan Garden and the neighboring urbanized buildings such as Shanghai World Financial Center.

It is actually located in Xianyang city, about 40 km to the northwest of Xian center, but you can get to Xi’an downtown conveniently by Airport Shuttle Bus. The airport connects Xi’an with most major cities in China and many cities abroad. There are multiple airline companies running hundreds of lines covering over 170 cities in China and abroad, such as Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Chongqing, Nanjing, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, etc. There are 3 terminals in total. T1 and T2 are for domestic flights, while T3 is for both domestic and international flights. Passengers can walk (about 10 minutes) or take free buses (3-5 minutes) to transfer between the terminals.

The high-speed rail network offers an excellent alternative for travelers journeying between Shanghai and Xi'an. With over 20 daily departures during the day and several overnight bullet train options, this transportation method provides remarkable flexibility. The spacious carriages feature comfortable seating arrangements and large windows that showcase China's diverse landscapes along the route. Many passengers appreciate the smooth, quiet journey that allows for reading, working, or simply enjoying the passing scenery. The train stations in both cities provide convenient access to major attractions and accommodations.

Check more details about Shanghai to Xian train schedules ⋙

Address: 1500 Shengui Rd. Minghan District, Shanghai上海市闵行区申贵路1500号

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 ⋙

Address: Yuansuo Rd, Weiyang District, Xian City 西安市未央区元朔路

Xian North Railway Station, also called Xian Bei Railway Station, is the only high speed railway station in Xian. It is also one of the largest railway stations in China. It is 20 km away from the downtown area, 50 km from Terracotta Warriors and Horses, 20 km from Muslim Quarter, 15 km from the Ancient City Wall, and 30 km from Xian Xianyang International Airport. The Station is served by city metro line, which can help you to reach your destinations easily.

Learn more about Xian Train Stations ⋙

Address: No. 303, Moling Road, Jing'an District (上海市静安区秣陵路303号)

Shanghai Railway Station functions as the city's historic central station, offering excellent connectivity to the urban center. It's about 7 km to the Bund (about 20 minutes’ drive); about 4 km to Shanghai Museum (about 15 minutes’ drive); about 7 km to Yuyuan Garden (about 30 minutes’ drive). The station runs both normal trains and high speed trains to many destinations. You can take bullet trains to cities like Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, etc., and normal trains to Lhasa (Tibet), Xian, Xining, Hohhot, Chengdu, etc.

Address: No. 44 Huancheng North Road, Xincheng District 西安市新城区环城北路44号

Located in the downtown area and near the city center, Xian Railway Station is an old railway station with a history of over 80 years. It is a Tang-style architecture with glazed tile roof and yellow glazed walls. It is 5 km away from Muslim Quarter (about 20 minutes by car), 37 km from Terracotta Warriors (about 1 hour by car), and 40 km from Xian Xianyang Airport (about 1 hour by car). At present, Xian Railway Station only operates normal trains (like K-trains, Z-trains and T-trains) to other cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjing, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, etc.

Known as an important gateway city to China, Shanghai preserves the mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 1 to 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks in Shanghai, including the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center (WFC) - the highest breathtaking skyline in Lujiazhui, various historical architectures, Yu Garden, City God Temple along the Bund and busy Nanjing Road. Local culture lovers can use one extra day to visit Tianzifang, Zhujiajiao Water Town, while family travelers can have fun in Shanghai Disney Resort. Meanwhile, you can also expedience Maglev Train (the world’s fastest high-speed bullet train) and energetic nightlife, taste diverse snacks to make your Shanghai tour interesting and memorable.

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

Travel from Shanghai to Xian

Usually, spending 4 to 6 days in Shanghai and Xian is the most suitable travel length for the two hot destinations. A tour from Shanghai to Xian is like traveling by time machine taking you from the metropolis to explore ancient China. Flights, high-speed trains and normal trains are available from Shanghai to Xian every day. As the ancient capital for 13 dynasties with more than 3000 years, Xian has many historical ruins, museums and cultural relics. For first-timers to Xian, explore the must-see sights like Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Xian Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Bellow Tower, Drum Tower, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter. For further exploration, go to Mount Hua, Hanyang Mausoleum, Qianling Mausoleum, etc.

✔ 4 Days Shanghai Xian Overnight Train Tour
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Xian Contrast Tour (by Flight)
✔ 6 Days Shanghai Xian Tour with Suzhou Gardens

Travel Shanghai with Xian, Beijing & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. Besides Shanghai, you can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall in Beijing and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to the nearby cities such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan Mountain, and further to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)

✔ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
✔ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train
✔ 6 Days Shanghai Hangzhou & Suzhou Bullet Train Tour with Wuzhen Water Town

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, Beijing, 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 Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.