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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 Xi'an. 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 40.5 hours. For travelers who are tight in schedule, they may choose the flight instead. The flight usually takes around 5.5 - 6 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:

(Last Update on Dec 17, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
Z4016:48 - 08:25++39h37m
Z30417:46 - 08:40++38h54m
See more Shanghai Scedule
 

Urumqi to Shanghai Train Timetable:

(Last Update on Dec 17, 2024)
Train No.Departure - ArrivalTravel Time
Z4219:42 - 12:15++40h33m
Z30620:10 - 12:54++40h44m
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. 
 

Ticket Price:

(Last Update on Dec 17, 2024)
Soft SleeperHard SleeperHard Seat
CNY 1,055.5
USD 146
CNY 680.5
USD 94
CNY 376.5
USD 52

All these 4 trains originate from/ end at the 2 cities.

Stopovers of Z40/ Z42 include: Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Shangqiu, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi'an, Baoji, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xining, Zhangye West, Jiuquan South, Jiayuguan South, Liuyuan South, Kumul, Turpan North.

Stopovers of Z304/ Z306 include: Kunshan, Wuxi, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi'an, Baoji, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xining, Zhangye West, Jiayuguan South, Kumul, Shanshan North, Turpan North.
 

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 Dec. 17, 2024 by Grace Yang -
Questions & Answers on Shanghai - Urumqi Train
Asked by Lewis from NEW ZEALAND | Oct. 22, 2023 08:08Reply
Hop 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
00Reply


You 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
Do they run daily from Shanghai to Urumqi? Both T204 and Z40?
Answers (1)
Answered by Molly from USA | Nov. 24, 2019 16:10
00Reply


Yes, 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
How 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 17:40
00Reply


Thank 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.
Asked by Leif from UGANDA | Jan. 22, 2019 23:20Reply
Is there any high speed train from Shanghai to Urumqi?
Answers (1)
Answered by Raven from SRI LANKA | Jan. 23, 2019 17:25
00Reply


No 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.
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