China train guide · checked October 2026
Hangzhou to Nanjing by train
Nanjing, the old southern capital, is under two hours from Hangzhou – or a little longer if you stop in Wuxi on Lake Tai on the way, as our Yangtze route does.
- Journey timeabout 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Fastest train1 h 15 min
- Second classfrom ¥115 (about 67 PLN) – up to ¥250
- How oftenfrequent high-speed trains
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
Metro line 1 from West Lake takes about 30 minutes.
Nanjing's main high-speed station (metro lines 1 and 3). Some trains use Nanjing station (南京站) by Xuanwu Lake.
Good to know
- Fares are dynamic: peak trains cost more, the cheapest seats are on off-peak weekday trains.
- Breaking the journey in Wuxi: Hangzhou East – Wuxi about 1.5 hours, Wuxi – Nanjing 40–60 minutes.
Other ways: Flying makes no sense on this distance; buses take 3–4 hours.
On the way
The direct line heads north-west past Huzhou and Yixing, the town of purple clay teapots, through the hills west of Lake Tai.
When you arrive
From Nanjing South, metro line 1 takes about 20 minutes to Xinjiekou in the centre. Nearby are the Presidential Palace (about ¥40) and, in the evening, the Confucius Temple area on the Qinhuai River with boat trips (about ¥80–100).
How to book
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop in Suzhou instead of Wuxi?
Yes. Suzhou lies on the same Shanghai – Nanjing line, a short ride from Wuxi, and is famous for its classical gardens (UNESCO) and canals.
How many days do I need in Nanjing?
Two: one for the centre (the Presidential Palace, the Confucius Temple and the Qinhuai River) and one for Purple Mountain with the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming tombs, plus the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
