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Shanghai - Lanzhou Train

Altogether 11 pairs of trains are operated between the two cities: 4 pairs of high speed G trains with duration of 10.5 - 12 hours; a pair of high speed D trains running overnight on Friday to Monday; 6 pairs of normal trains taking 22 – 30.5 hours.

Direct flights are also provided between the two cities, taking 3 – 3.5 hours, which will be a preferable choice if you have to travel in a hurry. However, flight may cost a little more than rail travel, especially in peak season. Also, the frequent flight delay may waste your time, or even affect your travel adversely.
 

High Speed Train

Duration: about 10.5 - 12 hours for G trains
Distance: 2,077 kilometers (1,291 miles)
Top speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
Operated at: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway StationLanzhou West Railway Station
 

Shanghai to Lanzhou High Speed Train Schedule

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
G197006:10 - 16:4310h33m
G317606:32 - 17:4411h12m
G318006:41 - 17:4911h8m
G316409:38 - 21:0011h22m

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
D21616:54 - 15:13+22h19m

See more Shanghai Schedule
 

Lanzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train Timetable

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
G316608:29 - 20:1511h46m
G317810:33 - 22:2611h53m
G197210:48 - 21:3210h44m
G318211:13 - 22:1811h5m

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
D21816:05 - 15:50+23h45m

See more Lanzhou Schedule 

Note:
1. The timetable above is for reference only. Please use the tool on top of this page to search for the real-time schedule. 
2. D216/ D218 only run on Friday to next Monday.
 

Ticket Price of High Speed G Trains

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Business Class SeatFirst Class SeatSecond Class Seat
CNY 2,778 - 2,917.5
USD 384 - 403
CNY 1,434.5 - 1,483.5
USD 198 - 205
CNY 880.5 - 918
USD 122 - 127

 

Ticket Price of Overnight D Trains

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
1st Class Sleeper2nd Class SleeperSecond Class Seat
CNY 870
USD 120
CNY 590
USD 81
CNY 310
USD 43

 

Running Route

 Shanghai - Xi'an: It takes 5.5 – 9 hours to travel between the two cities for a distance of 1,509 miles (938 miles) by daytime bullet trains. Stopovers along the way include Suzhou North, Changzhou North, Zhenjiang South, Nanjing South, Bengbu South, Xuzhou East, Dangshan South, Shangqiu, Kaifeng North, Zhengzhou East, Zhengzhou West, Sanmenxia South, Huashan North, Weinan North, and Xi'an North.

 Xi'an - Lanzhou: Since the opening of Xi'an-Lanzhou High Speed Railway on July 9th, 2017, a quick transfer just takes about 3 hours, making a day tour between the two cities possible and quite convenient. The stations along the way include Xianyang Qindu, Yangling South, Baoji South, Tianshui South, Taian, and Dingxi North.
 

Normal Trains

Shanghai to Lanzhou Train

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
K218608:57 - 14:33+29h36m
Z37613:55 - 12:06+22h11m
T11615:38 - 16:09+24h31m
Z4016:48 - 15:29+22h41m
Z30417:46 - 15:44+21h58m
Z16418:33 - 16:16+21h43m

 

Lanzhou to Shanghai Train

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
T11810:39 - 13:26+26h47m
Z37811:56 - 12:09+24h13m
Z4212:03 - 12:15+24h12m
Z30612:09 - 12:54+24h45m
Z16612:31 - 12:03+23h32m
K218822:53 - 05:33++30h40m
Note: The timetable above is for reference only. Please use the tool on top of this page to search for the real-time schedule.
 

Ticket Price

(Last Update on Dec 16, 2024)
Soft SleeperHard SleeperHard Seat
CNY 669
USD 92
CNY 436
USD 60
CNY 240
USD 33

All of them originate/end in Shanghai Railway Station. At the other side, most of them only make a short stop in Lanzhou Railway Station, so you are advised to prepare in advance to get off/get on in time. 

Among all three types including Z, T, and K types, Z types are the fastest. If possible, you’d better book Z type tickets beforehand to save some time; and a soft sleeper or hard sleeper berth is more comfortable for such a long time trip.

 Below are the stopovers along the way:
Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Chuzhou North, Bengbu, Suzhou in Anhui, Xuzhou, Dangshan, Xiayixian, Shangqiu, Minquan, Lankao, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Sanmenxia, Tongguan, Weinan, Xi'an, Xianyang, Yangling, Caijiapo, Baoji, Tianshui, Longxi, Gangu, and Dingxi.

 Major Rail Lines from Shanghai to: Major Rail Line from Lanzhou to:

- Last updated on Dec. 16, 2024 by Grace Yang -
Questions & Answers on Shanghai - Lanzhou Train
Asked by Beck from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 18, 2019 18:48Reply
Lanzhou West Station to Lanzhou Jinjiang Sun Hotel
We will be traveling during Chinese New Year Holiday time, is it easy to get a taxi at that time?
Answers (1)
Answered by Kristen from AUSTRALIA | Nov. 19, 2019 23:44
00Reply


Taxi is still in service even at a holiday time, you do not need to worry about it too much. Also, if you had a problem of finding taxi, you can still use metro line 1 from West Station to Lanzhou University. The hotel is only about 500m walking from exit C.
Asked by Hyman from NEW ZEALAND | May. 13, 2019 18:04Reply
How much it usually costs for a flight from Lanzhou to Shanghai?
And anyone experienced a 10 hours second class trip?
Answers (1)
Answered by Priscila from USA | May. 14, 2019 17:21
00Reply


There is no standard flight ticket price, except full price ticket, CNY1860. Airlines offer different discount all the time. Sometimes I can even find discount of 70% off! It is recommended to check your flight ticket by date firstly. If the price is not much higher than second class on train, it is recommended to use flight. Haven't tried with a 10 hours trip, but 6 hours trip is already very long for me.
Asked by Nana | Jan. 16, 2019 01:30Reply
If I want to visiting Xi'an first and then Lanzhou, can I buy one ticket for both trips?
Or I need to buy two tickets instead?
Answers (1)
Answered by Ben from USA | Jan. 16, 2019 17:48
00Reply


You do need to buy two tickets for this trip. If you buy one ticket and get off at Xi'an, this ticket cannot be used for the rest trip anymore.
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