Shanghai has several major railway stations, and they are spread across different parts of the city. For first-time international travelers, knowing which station to use is important.
A train ticket showing Shanghai (上海) does not mean the same station as Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥). They are two separate railway stations, located in different parts of the city.
Going to the wrong station could mean missing your train.
This guide explains Shanghai’s five main railway stations, their metro connections, and how to choose the correct station for your journey.
Shanghai Railway Stations Location & Metro Map
Shanghai Railway Stations Location & Metro Map
The map above shows five important railway stations in Shanghai:
| Railway Station | Chinese Name | Metro Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Railway Station (Shanghai) | 上海站 | 1, 3, 4 |
| Shanghai Hongqiao (Shanghaihongqiao) | 上海虹桥站 | 2, 10, 17 |
| Shanghai South (Shanghainan) | 上海南站 | 1, 3, 15 |
| Shanghai West (Shanghaixi) | 上海西站 | 11, 15 |
| Shanghai Songjiang (Shanghaisongjiang) | 上海松江站 | 9 |
The map is designed to help you understand where each station is located and which metro lines serve it.
It is not a detailed street map. For the exact station entrance and walking route, use Amap (高德地图) or another navigation app.
One important rule: Always follow the departure station printed on your train ticket, even if another railway station is closer to your hotel.
1. Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)
Metro: Lines 1, 3 and 4
On tickets and 12306.cn, Shanghai Railway Station is listed simply as “Shanghai.”
Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)
Shanghai Railway Station is located in Jing’an District, north of People’s Square and the main central sightseeing areas.
It serves both high-speed and conventional trains, including some overnight services.
If your ticket simply says Shanghai (上海), this is your departure station.
Do not confuse it with Shanghai Hongqiao.
Metro Line 1 is particularly useful for travelers staying near People’s Square, Xujiahui or other central locations.
When you arrive by metro, follow the signs for the railway station and its departure area. You may need to walk through an underground passage or cross a station square, depending on your metro exit.
Allow enough time to find the correct entrance.
Ruqin’s Tip: If you are staying near People’s Square, Shanghai Railway Station is relatively convenient by metro. However, check your train ticket before choosing a hotel or planning your transfer.
2. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)
Metro: Lines 2, 10 and 17
On tickets and 12306.cn, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is listed simply as “Shanghaihongqiao.”
Departure Hall at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)
Shanghai Hongqiao is one of China’s busiest high-speed railway stations.
It is located west of central Shanghai, beside the Hongqiao Airport transport hub.
Many high-speed trains to Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing and other major cities depart from here.
However, not every train to these destinations uses Hongqiao. Check the exact station when booking.
Metro Line 2 connects Hongqiao Railway Station with central Shanghai, including People’s Square and East Nanjing Road.
Metro Line 10 provides another connection to the city, passing through areas such as Xintiandi and Yuyuan Garden.
The station building is enormous. After leaving the metro, you still need to find the railway departure hall, pass security, and locate your boarding gate.
I recommend allowing at least 45–60 minutes before departure, especially if you are traveling with large suitcases.
Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station
Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and Hongqiao Railway Station are part of the same large transport hub, but they are not the same building.
Metro Line 2 or Line 10 connects the railway station with the airport’s Terminal 2 area.
Hongqiao Airport Terminal 1 is farther away and is served by Metro Line 10.
If you are transferring from a flight to a train, allow sufficient time for baggage collection, airport formalities, transport between terminals or buildings, and railway security.
Do not assume that a short distance on the map means a quick connection.
3. Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站)
Metro: Lines 1, 3 and 15
On tickets and 12306.cn, Shanghai South Railway Station is listed simply as “Shanghainan.”
Departure Hall at Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站)
Shanghai South Railway Station is located in Xuhui District, southwest of the central city.
It serves railway routes to several destinations in eastern and southern China.
The station is known for its distinctive circular terminal building.
If your ticket says Shanghai South (上海南), this is where you must board.
It is not the same station as Shanghai Railway Station.
Metro Line 1 connects Shanghai South with People’s Square and other central districts.
Lines 3 and 15 provide additional connections to different parts of Shanghai.
The railway station has multiple entrances and a large passenger area. Follow the signs for railway departures rather than assuming the nearest exit is the correct one.
Ruqin’s Tip: If your hotel is near a Line 1 metro station, reaching Shanghai South is generally straightforward. However, leave extra time if you have luggage or need to change metro lines.
4. Shanghai West Railway Station (上海西站)
Metro: Lines 11 and 15
On tickets and 12306.cn, Shanghai West Railway Station is listed simply as “Shanghaixi.”
Shanghai West Railway Station (上海西站)
Shanghai West Railway Station is located in Putuo District, northwest of the central city.
It is smaller than Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Railway Station.
Some passenger trains stop here, but it is not usually the first station international visitors think of when booking a journey from Shanghai.
Metro Lines 11 and 15 serve the station area.
Line 11 is useful for connections toward destinations such as Shanghai Disneyland, although reaching the park requires a longer metro journey.
If your ticket says Shanghai West (上海西), make sure your navigation app directs you to this station.
Do not simply search for “Shanghai Railway Station.” That usually refers to the larger station in Jing’an District.
For visitors unfamiliar with Shanghai, saving the Chinese station name is particularly helpful.
5. Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station (上海松江站)
Metro: Line 9
On tickets and 12306.cn, Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station is listed simply as “Shanghaisongjiang.”
Departure Hall at Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station (上海松江站)
Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station is located in Songjiang District, far southwest of central Shanghai.
It serves the Songjiang area and provides additional railway connections.
This station is particularly important to identify correctly because it is a considerable distance from the Bund, People’s Square and other central attractions.
Metro Line 9 serves the railway station area.
If your ticket says Shanghai Songjiang (上海松江), allow plenty of time for the journey from your hotel.
Do not confuse Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station with the older Songjiang Railway Station or Songjiang South Station names that may still appear in outdated travel information.
Station names and services have changed as Shanghai’s railway network has developed.
Ruqin’s Tip: If you are staying in central Shanghai, check the journey time to Songjiang before booking your train. A cheaper or more convenient departure time may not compensate for a long journey across the city.
How to Choose the Right Shanghai Railway Station
When booking a train, many travelers first look at the departure time and ticket price.
I recommend checking the departure station just as carefully.
For example, you may find several high-speed trains traveling from Shanghai to Hangzhou. Some depart from Shanghai Hongqiao, while others may use different Shanghai stations.
The destination city may be the same, but your journey to the departure station can be very different.
Before paying, check three things:
- Departure station: Is it Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai South (Shanghainan), Shanghai West (Shanghaixi) or Shanghai Songjiang?
- Metro connection: Can you reach the station conveniently from your hotel?
- Travel time: How long will the journey take, including metro transfers and walking?
If two trains have similar departure times and prices, I would usually choose the one departing from the station that is easier to reach.
Amap (高德地图) is useful for comparing routes within Shanghai.
You can also use the official 12306 railway booking platform to check train services and station names.
How Early Should You Arrive at the Railway Station?
For most high-speed train journeys, I recommend arriving 45–60 minutes before departure.
This gives you time to pass security, find the waiting area, and locate your boarding gate.
At Shanghai Hongqiao, allow additional time if you are unfamiliar with the station. The distances inside the terminal can be surprisingly long.
During Chinese public holidays, railway stations become much busier. Arriving about 60–90 minutes early may be more comfortable.
Remember that boarding usually closes several minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Do not arrive at the station just five or ten minutes before your train leaves.
What About Luggage?
You can bring ordinary suitcases onto Chinese high-speed trains, subject to railway baggage rules.
Larger suitcases are generally placed in designated luggage spaces near the ends of carriages, while smaller bags can go on overhead racks.
When traveling through Shanghai’s metro system, look for elevators if you have heavy luggage.
Some station entrances have only stairs or escalators, so checking the accessible entrance in advance can save considerable effort.
What to Do If You Arrive at the Wrong Station
First, check the Chinese station name on your ticket.
If you realize your mistake while still at your hotel, use Amap to calculate the fastest route to the correct station.
If you are already at the wrong railway station, do not assume you can board your train there.
Ask railway staff for help and show them your ticket.
If there is not enough time to reach the correct station, check whether your ticket can be changed through 12306 or the platform where you booked it.
Ticket-change options depend on the fare rules, departure time and seat availability.
Do not buy a second ticket immediately without checking your existing booking.
Ruqin’s Practical Tips for Shanghai Train Travel
Save the Chinese station name. The Chinese characters on your ticket are more reliable than a shortened English name.
Check the station before booking. A convenient train departure time is less useful if the station is far from your hotel.
Use the metro when practical. Shanghai’s metro connects all five stations covered in this guide.
Allow extra time at Hongqiao. It is a large station, and walking between the metro and departure hall takes time.
Carry your passport. Foreign travelers normally use the passport associated with their railway booking for identity verification.
Check the last metro service. If your train arrives late at night, the metro may no longer be operating. A taxi or DiDi may be necessary.
Keep your booking confirmation accessible. A screenshot showing the train number, departure station and departure time can be useful if your mobile connection is unreliable.
Final Notes from Ruqin
Shanghai’s railway network is extensive, but using it becomes much easier once you understand the station names.
For most first-time international travelers, the two stations to remember are Shanghai Railway Station (上海站) and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站).
They are different stations, and they are not interchangeable.
Before every train journey, check the full departure station name, compare it with the location map, and plan your metro connection.
A little preparation can make your departure from Shanghai much smoother.
Further Reading
Where to Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
Shanghai Travel Guide: Map, Itineraries, Top Attractions and Tips
Pudong or Hongqiao: Which Shanghai Airport Is Better?
One Week in Shanghai: A Relaxed 7-Day Itinerary with Day Trips
