Shanghai to Xi'an: train or flight, time and tickets
How to travel from Shanghai to Xi'an on a first trip to China: by high-speed train or a short flight, how long it takes, where trains leave from and how to book.
Short answer: By high-speed train or a short flight, about 6 to 7.5 hours by train, around 2.5 hours flying.
Shanghai to Xi'an by high-speed train
High-speed trains (G and D numbers) link Shanghai and Xi'an, about 6 to 7.5 hours by train, around 2.5 hours flying. Book on Railway 12306 or Trip.com with your passport, which is also your ticket; tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure, and verifying a foreign passport on 12306 usually takes 3 to 5 working days, so register early. See how to book a train ticket and Trip.com vs 12306.
Main stations: in Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station; in Xi'an, Xi'an North Railway Station. Check which one your train uses: cities have several, and they are far apart.
Be at the station 45 to 60 minutes before departure: big stations have security checks, a passport check at the gates, and boarding closes a few minutes before the train leaves.
Shanghai to Xi'an by air
Flights between Shanghai and Xi'an save time over the train (about 6 to 7.5 hours by train, around 2.5 hours flying). Allow time to reach the airport and for security; book through the airline or a booking site with your passport details. Airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport; Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. See high-speed train vs flying.
Planning Shanghai and Xi'an
- Shanghai city guide and Xi'an city guide: about 3 days in Shanghai and 3 in Xi'an make a good first visit.
- Ready-made route: China in 7 days: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
- Ready-made route: China in 10 days: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai
- Getting around inside each city, by metro and Didi: Getting around.
Other direction: Xi'an to Shanghai. All connections: between cities.