Nanjing to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train
A fast hop between the old Ming capital and West Lake. Everything a foreign traveler needs for the Nanjing ↔ Hangzhou leg: how long, which station, fares, and how to book — or just turn up and go.
By China for Travelers Editorial · Updated
The route at a glance
Nanjing South (南京南) to Hangzhou East (杭州东) connects two of the Yangtze delta's great historic cities across roughly 270 km. The fastest G-train does it in 1h 15m; most run 1h 15m – 1h 45m depending on stops. With about 153 departures a day, there is no reason to fly — the train is faster door-to-door and runs constantly.
Which stations
- In Nanjing: trains use Nanjing South (南京南站), on Metro Lines 1, 3 and S1/S3 — about 20–30 minutes to the centre and the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) area.
- In Hangzhou: most arrive at Hangzhou East (杭州东站, Metro Lines 1 and 4 — closer to West Lake); some use Hangzhou West (杭州西站, Line 3). Match the arrival station to your hotel.
Train classes and prices
- Second class (二等座) — ¥115 – ¥249 · 3+2, power at every seat.
- First class (一等座) — ¥187 – ¥400 · 2+2; a small upgrade for a short ride.
- Business class (商务座) — ¥368 – ¥831 · available on some departures.
Booking options
- 12306 English app (official) — face price, passport registration required.
- Trip.com — small fee, foreign cards, English checkout. See the booking guide.
You can usually take the next train; book to lock a specific time and the right Hangzhou arrival station.
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What to do at each end
In Nanjing: the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling on Purple Mountain, the Ming city wall, and the Confucius Temple / Qinhuai River — a former national capital with deep history.
In Hangzhou: West Lake, the Lingyin Temple and the Longjing tea hills — see the Hangzhou city guide and West Lake. Pair it with Suzhou and Shanghai for the delta loop.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Nanjing to Hangzhou train?
- The fastest G-train covers Nanjing South to Hangzhou East in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Most run 1.25–1.75 hours depending on stops. It is a quick, frequent hop across the Yangtze delta.
- How much is a Nanjing to Hangzhou train ticket?
- Second class starts around ¥115, with first and business class available on many trains. Fares are dynamically priced but stay moderate on this corridor.
- Which stations do Nanjing–Hangzhou trains use?
- Most services run Nanjing South (南京南站) to Hangzhou East (杭州东站); some use Hangzhou West (杭州西站). Both Nanjing South and the Hangzhou stations are on the metro — check your ticket for the exact arrival station.
- Do I need to book Nanjing to Hangzhou trains in advance?
- With around 153 trains a day each way, you can usually take the next departure outside major Chinese holidays. Booking a day ahead locks a specific time and station.
- Can I combine Nanjing and Hangzhou in one trip?
- Yes — both sit on the Yangtze-delta network with Shanghai and Suzhou, so a loop through all four on short high-speed hops is one of the easiest multi-city itineraries in China.