Chongqing to Shanghai / Shanghai to Chongqing: Best Way to Travel

Chongqing is about 1,700 km (1,000 mi) away from Shanghai. There are four transportation methods between the two cities, including plane, high speed train, normal speed train and long-distance bus. Given the long Shanghai to Chongqing distance, by air is always the top choice because it only takes 2.5 to 3 hours and the discounted tickets are frequently available, sometimes as low as CNY100 in low-season. The high speed train takes 10.5 to 13 hours and the cheapest Second Class Seat costs CNY585. Taking the normal speed train and long-distance bus can save one night's accommodation fee, which suits budget visitors. But only two normal speed trains travel between Chongqing and Wuhan and no long-distance bus is scheduled from Shanghai to Chongqing.
 There are about 30 flights from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)/ Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) every day. It spends about 2.5 hours. All the flights are scheduled during 5:30 to 22:00 and the flight interval is one hour. You may enjoy a discount of 10% to 60% when you buy tickets online in advance.

Ticket Fare:
Economy Class: CNY200 to CNY1,870; Business Class: CNY900 to CNY5,500
 From Chongqing to Shanghai, 10 high speed trains are in operation daily. The two departure railway stations are Chongqing North Railway Station and Chongqing West Railway Station. And the arrival railway stations include Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station. The whole journey lasts 11.5 to 13 hours.

Ticket Fare:
Second Class Seat: CNY585 to CNY869.5; First Class Seat: CNY935 to CNY1,749.5; Business Class Seat: CNY2,212 to CNY3,341

See more about: Chongqing to Shanghai Train
 Only two normal speed trains travel from Chongqing North Railway Station to Shanghai South Railway Station every day.

Train	Dep.	Arr.	Duration
K73	09:31	12:15+1	26h 44 min
Z258	14:10	09:12+1	19h 02min

Ticket Fare:
Hard Seat: CNY224; Hard Sleeper: CNY388 to CNY407; Soft Sleeper: CNY598 to CNY625
 Three long-distance buses depart from Chongqing Wanzhou Long Distance Bus Station, North Square Bus Station of Chongqing North Railway Station and South Square Bus Station of Chongqing North Railway Station at 9:00, 11:50 and 12:20 respectively every other day. 18.5 hours are needed. It is an economical but not a very comfortable transportation mean.
 Over 30 flights set off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)/Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) per day, taking about 3 hours. In the off-season, the economy class ticket sold online is as low as CNY100 and the business class ticket is CNY930.

Ticket Fare:
Economy Class: CNY100 to CNY1,870; Business Class: CNY930 to CNY5,550
 All together 10 high speed trains can be taken from Shanghai Hongqiao/ Shanghai South/ Shanghai Railway Station to Chongqing North/ Chongqing West Railway Station every day. The earliest train is from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Chongqing North Railway Station at 06:00 and the latest one is Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Chongqing West Railway Station at 11:37. It spends 10.5 to 13 hours on the way.

Ticket Fare:
Second Class Seat: CNY585 to CNY869.5; First Class Seat: CNY935 to CNY1,749.5; Business Class Seat: CNY1,633.5 to CNY3,341
 There are 2 normal speed trains departing from Shanghai South Railway Station and arriving at Chongqing North Railway Station. Budget tourists can choose such transportation mean since accommodation fee can be saved by spending one night on the train.
 

Train	Dep.	Arr.	Duration
K71	14:34	15:47+1	25h 13 min
Z257	19:09	12:49+1	17h 40min

Ticket Fare:
Hard Seat: CNY22; Hard Sleeper: CNY388 to CNY407; Soft Sleeper: CNY625 to CNY598