Suzhou to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train
The short hop between the canal-and-garden city and West Lake. Everything a foreign traveler needs for the Suzhou ↔ 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
Suzhou and Hangzhou sit at two corners of the Yangtze-delta triangle, linked by frequent high-speed trains across roughly 170 km. The fastest G-train does it in 1h 25m; most run 1h 25m – 2h depending on stops. With about 179 departures a day, this is a turn-up-and-go corridor — no need to fly, and rarely a need to book far ahead.
Which stations
This corridor uses several stations, so the station check matters more than usual:
- In Suzhou: fast trains often use Suzhou North (苏州北站, on Metro Line 2), while others use the central Suzhou Railway Station (苏州站, Lines 2 and 4) — handier for the gardens and the old town.
- In Hangzhou: trains arrive at Hangzhou West (杭州西站, Metro Line 3 — newer, on the west side) or Hangzhou East (杭州东站, Lines 1 and 4 — closer to the centre and West Lake).
- Match your ticket's arrival station to your hotel — Hangzhou East is usually the more convenient for West Lake.
Train classes and prices
- Second class (二等座) — ¥75 – ¥144 · 3+2, power at every seat.
- First class (一等座) — ¥120 – ¥232 · 2+2; a minor upgrade for such a short ride.
- Business class (商务座) — ¥262 – ¥445 · available on some departures, rarely necessary here.
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 — but to lock a specific time and arrival station (Hangzhou East vs West matters), book here.
Affiliate link · we earn a small commission on Trip.com bookings.
What to do at each end
In Suzhou: the classical gardens, the canals and Pingjiang Road, and the Suzhou Museum — see things to do in Suzhou and the classical gardens.
In Hangzhou: West Lake, the Lingyin Temple and the Longjing tea hills — see the Hangzhou city guide and West Lake. Both pair easily with Shanghai.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Suzhou to Hangzhou train?
- The fastest G-train covers Suzhou to Hangzhou in about 1 hour 25 minutes. Most run 1.5–2 hours depending on stops and which stations they use. It is an easy hop between two of the Yangtze delta’s headline cities.
- How much is a Suzhou to Hangzhou train ticket?
- Second class starts around ¥75, with first and business class available on many departures. Fares are dynamically priced but stay low on this short corridor.
- Which stations do Suzhou–Hangzhou trains use?
- Services split across a few stations. Many fast trains run Suzhou North (苏州北站) to Hangzhou West (杭州西站); others use the central Suzhou Railway Station and Hangzhou East (杭州东站). Always check the station printed on your ticket.
- Do I need to book Suzhou to Hangzhou trains in advance?
- With around 179 trains a day each way you can usually take the next departure, except during major Chinese holidays. Booking a day ahead guarantees a specific time and station.
- Can I visit both Suzhou and Hangzhou on one trip?
- Absolutely — they pair naturally with Shanghai as the classic Yangtze-delta triangle. A common loop is Shanghai → Suzhou → Hangzhou → Shanghai, all on short high-speed hops.