Shanghai - Urumqi Train
Up to now, there are 2 pairs of normal trains running overnight between Shanghai, the well-known modernized and tourist city and Urumqi, a graceful prairie city and a pearl on the Silk Road. The high speed trains from Urumqi only reach Lanzhou. This trip between Northwest and east coastal China will offer you a chance to have a quick glance of multiple features of the vast China land.
Distance for this trip between Shanghai Railway Station and Urumqi Railway Station is 2,566 miles (4,129 kilometers) and duration is around 39 hours to 46 hours. For travelers who are tight in schedule, they may choose the flight instead. The flight usually takes around 5.5 hours but the price is usually much higher. Travelers can choose the suitable way of transfer based on the schedule and budget.
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
See more Shanghai Scedule
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
See more Urumqi Schedule
Notes:
1. "++" indicates the third day.
2. The timetable is for reference only. The schedule searching by the search box on page top shall prevail.(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
Z40/ Z42 originate from/ end at this 2 cities. Travelers are recommended to use this pair since they run at a higher speed with fewer stopovers. Stopovers along the way include: Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Shangqiu, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi'an, Xianyang, Caijiapo, Baoji, Longxi, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xining, Wuwei, Zhangye, Zhangye West, Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Liuyuan, Kumul, Shanshan, Shanshan North, Turpan North, Urumqi South.
T204/ T206 take a little longer time on the way and cost a little more for the ticket. This pair of rides take Urumqi Railway Station as an intermediate station and extend to Yining which is about 426 miles (685 kilometers) away on the west. But there is no need to worry as it stops there around 23 to 27min for passengers to get on or off. Other intermediate stations of this pair of ride include: Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Dangshan, Shangqiu, Minquan, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Baoji, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Liuyuan, Kumul, Shanshan, Turpan, Urumqi South, Wuxi in Xinjiang, Shihezi, Shawanxian, Kuitun, Jinghe South, Nileke, Yining.
For a long distance trip, it is highly recommended to choose the soft sleeper or hard sleeper to guarantee a good rest.
For sleeper ticket holders, the conductor will collect your paper ticket when boarding and giving you a boarding card instead. When your destination is approaching, the conductor will change the boarding card back with your ticket. In this way, you will not miss your station to get off. Please keep your paper ticket with you since it will be checked when you checkout from the arrival station.
Though dining car is available, it is still recommended to take some food of your own as food onboard is mostly in simple Chinese style. Also, they usually cost more, so do the snacks, fruits, and bottled water.
Major Rail Lines from Shanghai to:
Major Rail Lines from Urumqi to:
Distance for this trip between Shanghai Railway Station and Urumqi Railway Station is 2,566 miles (4,129 kilometers) and duration is around 39 hours to 46 hours. For travelers who are tight in schedule, they may choose the flight instead. The flight usually takes around 5.5 hours but the price is usually much higher. Travelers can choose the suitable way of transfer based on the schedule and budget.
Shanghai to Urumqi Train Schedule:
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Z40 | 16:17 - 09:38++ | 41h21m |
| Z304 | 21:00 - 14:24++ | 41h24m |
Urumqi to Shanghai Train Timetable:
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Z42 | 18:36 - 12:06++ | 41h30m |
| Z306 | 20:27 - 16:10++ | 43h43m |
Notes:
1. "++" indicates the third day.
2. The timetable is for reference only. The schedule searching by the search box on page top shall prevail.
Ticket Price:
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|
| CNY 1,076.5 USD 158 | CNY 694.5 USD 102 | CNY 385.5 USD 57 |
Z40/ Z42 originate from/ end at this 2 cities. Travelers are recommended to use this pair since they run at a higher speed with fewer stopovers. Stopovers along the way include: Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Shangqiu, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi'an, Xianyang, Caijiapo, Baoji, Longxi, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xining, Wuwei, Zhangye, Zhangye West, Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Liuyuan, Kumul, Shanshan, Shanshan North, Turpan North, Urumqi South.
T204/ T206 take a little longer time on the way and cost a little more for the ticket. This pair of rides take Urumqi Railway Station as an intermediate station and extend to Yining which is about 426 miles (685 kilometers) away on the west. But there is no need to worry as it stops there around 23 to 27min for passengers to get on or off. Other intermediate stations of this pair of ride include: Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Dangshan, Shangqiu, Minquan, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Baoji, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Liuyuan, Kumul, Shanshan, Turpan, Urumqi South, Wuxi in Xinjiang, Shihezi, Shawanxian, Kuitun, Jinghe South, Nileke, Yining.
Travel Tips:
For a long distance trip, it is highly recommended to choose the soft sleeper or hard sleeper to guarantee a good rest. For sleeper ticket holders, the conductor will collect your paper ticket when boarding and giving you a boarding card instead. When your destination is approaching, the conductor will change the boarding card back with your ticket. In this way, you will not miss your station to get off. Please keep your paper ticket with you since it will be checked when you checkout from the arrival station. Though dining car is available, it is still recommended to take some food of your own as food onboard is mostly in simple Chinese style. Also, they usually cost more, so do the snacks, fruits, and bottled water.Major Rail Lines from Shanghai to:Major Rail Lines from Urumqi to:
- Last updated on Oct. 23, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Shanghai - Urumqi Train
Asked by Lewis from NEW ZEALAND | Oct. 22, 2023 08:08
Reply
ReplyHop on hop off
Is there a way that I can buy a ticket to hop on and hop off of the train, staying some destinations for a night for some sightseeing? Would I be able to easily find accomodation if I spontaneously decided to stay somewhere without having pre-booked?
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 23, 2023 23:20
0
0Reply
00ReplyYou need to buy separate train tickets to meet your demand and generally there is no hop-on and hop-off train.
Asked by Paul from CANADA | Nov. 21, 2019 19:19Reply
ReplyDo they run daily from Shanghai to Urumqi? Both T204 and Z40?
Answers (1)
Answered by Molly from USA | Nov. 24, 2019 16:1000Reply
00ReplyYes, they runs every day for this trip, both of them. However, not sure if you noticed it or not, they runs over 40 hours on the way and arrive at Urumqi after 2 days.
Asked by Poppy from CANADA | May. 15, 2019 02:18Reply
ReplyHow can I get deluxe soft sleeper cabin to Shanghai?
I want to book deluxe soft sleeper beds for me, my husband and our 4 years daughter. I read that deluxe soft sleeper is offered to 2 passengers. I want to book this cabin and our daughter can stay with us right? Please let me how to book it as I did not see this option on either Z42 or T206 from Urumqi to Shanghai.
Answers (1)
Answered by TravelChinaGuide | May. 15, 2019 17:4000Reply
00ReplyThank you for your inquiry.
It is a pity that there is no deluxe soft sleeper cabin set up for this train route. Therefore, we are sorry that we cannot offer this option. The best cabin offered is soft sleeper cabin which is shared by 4 passengers. If you cannot accept soft sleeper, you may consider flight instead. Hope for your kind understanding.
It is a pity that there is no deluxe soft sleeper cabin set up for this train route. Therefore, we are sorry that we cannot offer this option. The best cabin offered is soft sleeper cabin which is shared by 4 passengers. If you cannot accept soft sleeper, you may consider flight instead. Hope for your kind understanding.
Asked by Leif from UGANDA | Jan. 22, 2019 23:20Reply
ReplyIs there any high speed train from Shanghai to Urumqi?
Answers (1)
Answered by Raven from SRI LANKA | Jan. 23, 2019 17:2500Reply
00ReplyNo direct bullet. If you want to experience it, you can take a bullet to Lanzhou and then another overnight trip to Urumqi. Or you can stay one night in Lanzhou and still use bullet from Lanzhou the next day.