Shanghai to Guilin/Guilin to Shanghai: By Flight & Train

For the abundant touristic resources and convenient transportation facilities in both Shanghai and Guilin, the two cities are usually planned together in one tour to bring you different facets of the modern views and idyllic sites of China. The followings are some practical transportation information and tips that may help you transferring between the two cities.

How Far is Guilin from Shanghai?

Shanghai is located in the southeast of China, facing the East China Sea, while Guilin is to the southwest of Shanghai. The two cities are featured with different scenic attractions and worthwhile spending time on, but they are 1,514 km far away from each other (17 hours by car). However, the long distance can't stop the craving hearts, since there are many flights to the both cities and the ticket price is also reasonable and each non-stop transfer between the two cities is within 3 hours by air. There are also high speed bullet trains that have been set up and run between the two cities.

Option 1: Shanghai to Guilin Flight / Guilin to Shanghai Flight (Most Recommended)

● Flight Time: about 3 hours

● Frequency: about 10 non-stop flights per day

● From & To: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) → Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)

Taking a 3 hours' flight from Guilin to Shanghai/Shanghai to Guilin is the most convenient and time-saving way for tourists. There are 2 airports in Shanghai and one airport in Guilin, and many flights arranged each day, nearly 10 non-stop flights in busy months (May ~ Oct). Sometimes, the flight tickets are even cheaper than the train's.

The followings are the updated flights and airports information in detail, for your reference. Since the ticket price changes from time to time in different seasons, please don't hesitate to contact us to get the updated flight schedules:

▶ Useful Link: Shanghai to Guilin Flight Schedule

Most Popular Guilin Tours: ☛ 6 Days Landscapes of Shanghai & Guilin Tour by Flight / 3 Days Classic Guilin Tour

Where to Take Flights to Guilin from Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场, IATA: PVG)

Address: S1 Yingbin Expy, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai, China (上海市浦东新区迎宾大道6000号)

As one of the largest international airports in China, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the top option for you to take a flight to Guilin with about 7 flights there each day. It is located in the east of Shanghai, about 35 km to the Bund, 30 mins to Shanghai Disney Resort by car. You can take Metro Line 2 and stop at Lujiazui, Nanjing Road, Zhongshan Park, etc, or easily grab a cab heading to the downtown. Also, the fastest train in China, Shanghai Shanghai Maglev Train is here connecting Pudong Airport to the downtown area with the highest speed over 430km/h. Different bus lines serve day and night and spread over the city and each bus departs within every half an hour with some shuttle buses running between Pudong airport and Hongqiao airport.

▶ Useful Link: Shanghai Pudong International Airport & Flights

Where to Take Flights to Shanghai from Guilin

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (桂林两江国际机场，IATA:KWL)

Address: Liangjiang, Lingui District, Guilin, Guangxi (桂林市临桂区两江镇)

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is the only airport serving the scenic city, Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is located in the southwest suburb of Guilin, Liangjiang, about 28 km to the city center (1hour, by car). There is no subways running in Guilin, but you don’t need to worry about getting a vehicle to your hotel or the next destination, since the buses to downtown Guilin are arranged by the flight schedules. Arriving either early in the morning or late till the midnight, you will see operating buses.

▶ Useful Link: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport & Flights

Warm Tips for Your Shanghai Guilin Flight Travel:

China Discovery offers the warm services of airport pick-up and drop-off to make your trip smooth and relax and let you have more time and strength for the wonderful attractions and fun. We will hold the pick-up card so that you can see us easily when you come out from the arrival hall. And for your departure, we will take you in advance to the airport departure area after your trip ends. >> Contact us now!

Option 2: Shanghai to Guilin Train / Guilin to Shanghai Train

There are altogether 6 trains running from Shanghai to Guilin and the same in the opposite direction every day, including one high speed bullet train (G Train) and 5 normal trains (K & T Trains). Check the train stations and train schedules from Shanghai to Guilin/ Guilin to Shanghai below:

1.Shanghai to Guilin High Sped Bullet Train (More Recommended)

● Train Time: about 9 hours

● Frequency: only 1 train per day

● From & To: Shanghai Hongqaio Railway Station 上海虹桥站 → Guilin North Railway Station 桂林北站

● Running Speed: 300 km/h

Threading through metropolitan Shanghai and idyllic Guilin, the high speed railway provides a comfortable travelling experience for you to explore the southern part of China on your way. You can enjoy the scenic views and various landscapes along the way. The railway traverses the southern China and nearly parallels below Yangtze River. The train stops at some famous historical cities like Hangzhou, Nanchang, and Changsha. You may have a chance to enjoy the typical picturesque Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River). Furthermore, It is much faster that you take a bullet train. Within 9 hours, the bullet train can reach your destination, and save 9 to 15 hours comparing with taking the normal trains.

There are two high speed trains shuttling between Guilin and Shanghai. The followings are the bullet train information in detail, for your reference. Since the ticket price changes from time to time in different seasons, please don’t hesitate to contact us  to get the updated train schedules.

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)

Address: No.1500, Shengui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 上海市闵行区申贵路1500号

Transportation: about 20 km, 50 minutes~1 hour’s drive to the Bund; 20 km, 1 hour’s drive to Shanghai Museum; 23 km, 1 hour’s drive to Shanghai World Financial Center; 35 km, 40 minutes’ drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town; 43 km, 1 hour’s drive to Shanghai Disney Resort.

Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站)

Address: No.6, Zhanqian Road, Diecai District, Guilin, Guangxi 广西壮族自治区桂林市叠彩区站前路6号

Transportation: about 21 km, 50 minutes’ drive to downtown; about 9 km, 30 minutes’ drive to Elephant Trunk Hill; around 29 km, 40 minutes’ drive to Li River; about 90 km, 1.5 hours’ drive to Li River.

Useful Links：

▶ Shanghai Railway Station Transportation
▶ Guilin North Railway Station Transportation

▶ Shanghai to Guilin High Speed Train Schedule
▶ Guilin to Shanghai High Speed Train Schedule

Popular Guilin Tours:

☞ 2 Days Guilin Ideal Li River Cruise with Yangshuo Essence Tour

☞ 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour (Li River, Yangshuo & Longji Terrace)

2.Guilin to Shanghai Normal Train

● Train Time: about 17 hours ~ 24.5 hours

● Frequency: about 5 trains per day

● From & To: Shanghai South & Shanghai Railway Station 上海南&上海站 → Guilin North Railway Station 桂林北站

● Running Speed: 120 km/h

There are 5 pairs of normal trains running between Guilin and Shanghai. The normal trains are not very recommended, since the long distance between the two cities will occupy at least 18 hours of your travelling time on train, but the information is still provided below in case you need in some certain circumstances. Please also note that the ticket price changes from time to time in different seasons, please don’t hesitate to contact us to get the updated train information.

Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)

Address: 303 Moling Rd. Jinan District, Shanghai (上海市静安区秣陵路303号)

Shanghai Railway Station is one of the major train stations in Shanghai, serving 170 high speed trains (G & D trains)and 53 normal (K, T, Z trains) every day. The station is very close to the city center, only 5km to the Bund, 30 mins’driving to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and 1 hour to Shanghai Pudong Airport. From here, you can take Metro Line 1, Line 3 and Line 4 to transfer to downtown or other places in Shanghai, or get to the Pudong Airport by bus. >> More about Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站)

Address: 9001 Huming Rd. Xuhui District, Shanghai (上海市徐汇区沪闵路9001号)

Shanghai South Railway Station is located in the south of Shanghai, about 13km to the Bund. It serves over 60 thousand passengers per year and is the south gate of Shanghai. It mainly sends normal trains with few high speed trains to other places. There are more than 30 trains arriving in or departing from Shanghai South Railway Station every day. Mostly these trains are long-distance trains to the south and short-distance trains to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, as well as a few trains to Yantai, Baotou and Lanzhou. 

Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站)

Address: 6 Zhanqian Rd. Diecai District, Guilin (广西壮族自治区桂林市叠彩区站前路6号)

It is located in the north of Guilin city, about 8.5km to the city center (around 25min by car), 30mins’ driving (10 km) to Guilin Railway Station, 40 mins’ driving (35km) to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. Guilin North Railway Station serves as an important train station in Guilin. the station sends around 104 trains (including both normal trains and high speed trains) to other parts of China every day, such as Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, and Guiyang. >> More about Guilin Railway Station

Warm Tips for Your Train

1. If you plan to take an overnight train to get to shanghai/Guilin, you’d better take the Soft Sleeper, because it offers more private space and comfortable berth for this long journey.

2. The train schedules are references for you to read and the info needs to be updated from time to time. Please don’t hesitate to contact us  to get the updated Train schedules.

3. China Discovery offers the warm services of airport pick-up and drop-off to make your trip smooth and relax and let you have more time and strength for the wonderful attractions and fun. We will hold the pick-up card so that you can see us easily when you come out in the arrival hall. And for your departure, we will take you in advance to the airport departure area after your trip ends.

How to Travel Shanghai and Guilin