shanghai hongkong travel

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Shanghai to Hong Kong High-Speed Trains

The 1931km high-speed railway links Shanghai and Hong Kong. There is only one high-speed train G99 from Shanghai HOngqiao Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station at 02:09PM every day. The duration is 7 hours 46 minutes and the ticket prices are USD163 to USD497.

There are three major railway stations in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao , Shanghai South , Shanghai Railway Station , and only one high-speed railway station in Hong Kong: Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station .

Book bullet trains and high speed trains from Shanghai to Hong Kong for your holiday or business travel in China. You can check live train timetables, schedules, distance, ticket costs, seat's availability and make the booking online.

Ticket Cost & Train Timetable

Ticket prices, timetable of 1 high-speed train.

Bullet Train Booking Guide

• How to book train tickets
• Train e-tickets and paper tickets
• How to collect train paper tickets
• How to check in & find your seat
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• Foods & Meals on bullet train

High-Speed Train Types

Railway Station Map

• Hong Kong West Kowloon Station Map
• Shanghai Hongiao Railway Station Map

High-speed Train Seats

Second Class Seats

First Class Seats

Business Class Seats

Bullet Trains Routes to Hong Kong

• Trains Beijing to Hong Kong
• Trains Shanghai to Hong Kong
• Trains Hangzhou to Hong Kong
• Trains Shijiazhuang to Hong Kong
• Trains Zhengzhou to Hong Kong
• Trains Guiyang to Hong Kong
• Trains Guilin to Hong Kong
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• Trains Hengyang to Hong Kong
• Trains Guangzhou to Hong Kong
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• Guangmingcheng to Hong Kong
• Trains Humen to Hong Kong
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• Trains Huizhou to Hong Kong
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• Trains Zhaoqing to Hong Kong
• Trains Puning to Hong Kong
• Trains Lufeng to Hong Kong
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• Trains Quanzhou to Hong Kong
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• Trains Raoping to Hong Kong
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• Trains Zhuzhou to Hong Kong
• Trains Chenzhou to Hong Kong
• Trains Nanchang to Hong Kong
• Trains Chaoyang to Hong Kong
• Trains Foshan to Hong Kong
• Trains Nanning Hong Kong

Bullet Train Routes from Hong Kong

• Trains Hong Kong to Beijing
• Trains Hong Kong to Shanghai
• Trains Hong Kong to Guiyang
• Trains Hong Kong to Guilin
• Trains Hong Kong to Zhengzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Shijiazhuang
• Trains Hong Kong to Kunming
• Trains Hong Kong to Hangzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Quanzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Shantou
• Trains Hong Kong to Zhaoqing
• Trains Hong Kong to Guangzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Shenzhen
• Trains Hong Kong to Futian
• Trains Hong Kong to Pingshan
• Hong Kong to Guangmingcheng
• Trains Hong Kong to Huizhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Humen
• Trains Hong Kong to Shanwei
• Trains Hong Kong to Shaoguan
• Trains Hong Kong to Houmen
• Trains Hong Kong to Chaoyang
• Trains Hong Kong to Chaoshan
• Trains Hong Kong to Zhaoan
• Trains Hong Kong to Zhangzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Jiaomei
• Trains Hong Kong to Raoping
• Trains Hong Kong to Yunxiao
• Trains Hong Kong to Puning
• Trains Hong Kong to Lufeng
• Trains Hong Kong to Putian
• Trains Hong Kong to Hengyang
• Trains Hong Kong to Xiamen
• Trains Hong Kong to Fuzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Wuhan
• Trains Hong Kong to Jinhua
• Trains Hong Kong to Nanchang
• Trains Hong Kong to Changsha
• Trains Hong Kong to Zhuzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Chenzhou
• Trains Hong Kong to Shangrao
• Trains Hong Kong to Foshan
• Trains Hong Kong to Nanning
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• Hung Hom Station
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• Hong Kong Travel Guide
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• A Beginner's Guide
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• Beijing - Shanghai
• Beijing - Xi'an
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• Guangzhou - Shenzhen

Shanghai - Hong Kong Train

Shanghai - hong kong high speed train.

Basic Facts

Shanghai to Hong Kong High Speed Train Schedule 

Hong kong to shanghai bullet train timetable, shanghai - hong kong high speed train ticket fare, shanghai - hong kong overnight high speed sleeper train schedule and ticket fare, hong kong - shanghai overnight high speed sleeper train schedule and ticket fare, more optional transfer choices at guangzhou south or changsha south.

From Shanghai to Hong Kong, there are many transfer options at Guangzhou South , Changsha South or Shenzhen North . Here we just select the most convenient and quickest transfer choices for you. However, as the time table changes frequently, you are suggested to search the real-time schedule through search box on the page top.  

Shanghai to Guangzhou/ Changsha to Hong Kong High Speed Train Schedule and Ticket Fare

Hong kong to guangzhou/ changsha to shanghai high speed train schedule and ticket fare, shanghai - hong kong train vs. flight.

Compared to 9 hours' duration of high speed trains, flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong onhongy take about 2.5 hours. And more than 20 flights are operated every day. So flight is still the best choice for business travelers. However, the flight ticket price is always a little higher than that of bullet trains, costing around CNY 800-1,800 for an economy class seat. Thus bullet train is a more economical choice and it is also suitable for those passengers who are seeking a unique travel experience.   

$75 Find Cheap Flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from hongqiao intl to hong kong departing on 11/5. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to hong kong.

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Cheap Flight Deals from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong (SHA-HKG)

Flights from hongqiao intl to hong kong - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from hongqiao intl to hong kong to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what is the cheapest month to fly from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong, the cheapest month for flights from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong is june, where tickets cost $167 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are april and july, where the average cost of tickets is $237 and $221 respectively., can i save money by flying with a layover from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong, no, with an average price for the route of $239, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct., how far in advance should i book a flight from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong, to get a below average price on the flight from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong, you should book around 2 days before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 16 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong, the cheapest return flight ticket from shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong found by kayak users in the last 72 hours was for $127 on shandong airlines, followed by hong kong airlines ($155). one-way flight deals have also been found from as low as $75 on cathay pacific and from $77 on shandong airlines., which airlines fly most frequently between shanghai hongqiao intl and hong kong, china eastern connects shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong with 12 flights per week. cathay pacific also offers 9 flights per week, while hong kong airlines follows with 9 flights per week., which airlines fly non-stop between shanghai hongqiao intl airport and hong kong, there are 4 airlines that fly nonstop from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong. they are: cathay pacific, china eastern, hong kong airlines and shanghai airlines. the cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with china eastern at $157 for a one-way flight. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at cathay pacific., which cabin class options are there for flights between shanghai hongqiao intl airport and hong kong, there are 3 cabin class options for the route. these are business, economy and prem economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how many flights are there between shanghai hongqiao intl airport and hong kong per day, each day, there are between 4 and 6 nonstop flights that take off from shanghai hongqiao intl airport and land in hong kong, with an average flight time of 2h 40m. the most common departure time is 4:00 pm and most flights take off in the afternoon. each week, there are 37 flights. the most frequent day of departure is tuesday, when 16% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a thursday., how long does a flight from shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong take, nonstop flights from shanghai hongqiao intl generally make it to hong kong in 2h 40m. the flying distance between the two cities is 765 miles., what’s the earliest departure time from shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong, early birds can take the earliest flight from shanghai hongqiao intl airport at 8:05 am and will be landing in hong kong at 10:50 am., what’s the latest departure time from shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong jets off at 7:15 pm and lands at 9:50 pm., good to know, when to book flights from hongqiao intl to hong kong, faqs for booking shanghai hongqiao intl to hong kong flights, what is the cheapest flight from shanghai hongqiao intl airport to hong kong.

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport to Hong Kong was $75 for a one-way ticket and $127 for a round-trip.

Do I need a passport to fly between Shanghai Hongqiao Intl and Hong Kong?

Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in Shanghai Hongqiao Intl and on arrival in Hong Kong.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

The Airbus A320-100/200 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

oneworld, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Shanghai Hongqiao Intl and Hong Kong, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

There are nonstop flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific or China Eastern?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong are Cathay Pacific and China Eastern. With an average price for the route of $212 and an overall rating of 7.7, Cathay Pacific is the most popular choice. China Eastern is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $241 and an overall rating of 7.1.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Hong Kong from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Hong Kong with an airline and back to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl with another airline. Booking your flights between Shanghai Hongqiao Intl and HKG can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Hong Kong from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport to Hong Kong

• Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $97 or less one-way and $185 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly non-stop from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong?

Find which airlines fly direct from Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport to Hong Kong Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl to Hong Kong Intl

Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, +2 more

Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +3 more

Nonstop returns

Hong Kong Intl to Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Top 5 airlines serving from hongqiao intl to hong kong.

Was a nice experience, crews were nice and accommodating. My only complain is the super tight leg room for the economy class.

Bathroom was not cleaned as often as other airlines does. It was gross for a less than full flight capacity.

Rarely saw a flight attendant. Never received what I wanted from drink service. Twice I was told they would return with my order. I never saw the flight attendant again. I has requested a Moslem meal. I did not receive. It

From BOS to HK, the crew had pushed me to choose the pasta for meal multiple times. It was a bad experience. Without this, everything was good.

From Chicago to Hong Kong was great., but from Hong Kong to manila we had hard time looking for the gate of our connecting flight. There wasn’t hardly any sign.

Cathay Pacific handle my plane delay very well. I will book with Cathay Pacific again in the future trips.

It as great, my in flight entertainment was malfunctioning though.

No proper procedures or announcements for boarding. Not even water was served on flight. Could not check in on line. This option was not available .

The flight was delayed for half an hour, hope this can be better

Great experience, smooth checking, boarding and flight. Service during flight were great, crew members were very professional. Thank you!

Reasonable. What they offer during the flight is not great, but the crew is polite and try to compensate it.

Price is the main attraction. Staff is OK but difficult to communicate with them due to general lack of English. Food is truly abysmal, the main courses (4) were barely edible. The choices for breakfast served at 5:30 am prior to landing at Gatwick airport were Spaghetti Bolognese or seafood fried rice. Choices offered for all 4 mains were either something rice or noodles. Shanghai airport layover is much too long in a very poorly serviced airport. We were unable to use WiFi; private lounges required cash only payment with no ATM or cash exchange open.

I was surprised and appreciate that they actually served a hot meal on such a short, early morning flight. The check in and boarding was hassle free and most of all my Alliance Status / Code Share was recognized and the revelant courtesy was extended; other than some needed attention to detail concerning the cleanliness of the cabin, and some unnecessary aggressive wording their safety briefing, it was an overall pleasant flight, and I would certainly fly with them again.

Lost Baggage - very frustrated…learned that bag was never put on plane.

I think it’s time that somebody set a standard for the temperature in the cabins. I would rather it be colder than anybody that wants to have a blanket have a blanket to keep it so warm at times is unbearable and quite uncomfortable. That’s the only thing I would add.

For the price we paid, I couldn’t complain. Was good value for money. Service was excellent but food was mediocre. Crew were excellent and spoke English. You will never go hungry. The food was ample but was mediocre. Entertainment limited and wifi doesn’t all allow you to access some social media. The best part was comfortable seats and bed (business class) with a screen to close out the rest of the cabin.

For the price we paid, we had a really good flight. The seats and bed (business class) was extremely comfortable. I have no complaints. The crew were very attentive and helpful. They spoke English and there were no misunderstanding although their English wasn’t perfect or fluent. You will never go hungry as there was ample food and drinks but their food for mediocre. The entertainment was limited to older movies and the wifi didn’t allow you to access some Social media. Apart from the above, it was a very pleasant flight. Would highly recommend them.

Good airline for the price. The Air stewardess are great, nothing is to much trouble. Will use again.

Great staff and food. Seats pretty uncomfortable but plenty of legroom. Entertainment system outdated.

The flight was cancelled without any reason. But the next flight to Shanghai has to be cancelled to pay penalty.

No entertainment service which equates them with budget airlines. But their fare are regular airline fares. Aircraft are old and seats are worn.

The crews at check in counter are not professional, they are talking and playing around. Also no entertainment on the plane

2 failed landing attemps before going to Nagoya airport for refueling. After 3 hours of taxiing, we still needed 3 attemps before a succeeded landing (after the 5th attempt finally!). In total, 11 hours inside the plane instead of 4h30, and with only a crappy piece of bread to feed us. A shame.

My two luggage issue during my trip from kansai osaka to Shanghai. 1st booked tickets online, a iliitle hard time to follow all questions when I booked tickets. I haven't selected 2 luggage so that Spring Airline of osaka crew charged $181 US Dollar with my 2 luggage fee. Also, crew member mentioned I maybe be able to get money some back because I should got differe rate, the rate of luggage should was matched with tickets I ordered from edreams. I did try to access edream at the day I was changing my boarding pass. Therefore, I hope Kayak if can help me getting some my luggage fees back, I will appreciate a lot. Thank you, Jie egusa

This is a terrible airline. Worst seats I’ve ever encountered. Avoid at all costs!

bring your own movies. Download your own entertainment and games before flying

I was given a middle row seat and the plane was a small 737-800. Much too cramped for a full flight of over 5.5hours.

Book cheap flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong

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Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality to Hong Kong, Guangdong : Compare Travel Options and Prices

How to get from shanghai to hong kong: cheapest, fastest and best way, compare train, bus, flight, and driving options, mode of transport, shanghai to hong kong: overview of bus, train, flight, and car trips, travelling by car, shanghai - hong kong operators.

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Where to stay in Hong Kong

There are over 811 hotels to stay in Hong Kong. Prices range from $6 per night.

What is the cheapest way to get from Shanghai to Hong Kong?

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If you are looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Hong Kong to Shanghai

Trips from Shanghai

• Shanghai to Chengdu
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Trips to Hong Kong

• Bangkok to Hong Kong
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• Toronto to Hong Kong
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Shanghai to Hong Kong Train Schedules, Tickets and Stations

Hong Kong , known as “the Pearl of the Orient” and the paradise for shopping, is an international city with one of the most beautiful skylines. With busy international flights, it is also regarded as one of the most convenientthe gateway city to go home after a China tour . Compared to taking fast flights, more and more travelers prefer to experience unique bullet train travel from Shanghai to Hong Kong , which run across Southern China via Hangzhou, Guangzhou and more popular destinations.

Currently, everyday there is only 1 direct high speed train running from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in Shanghai to West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong, cutting down the train travel journey from about 19 hours to within 8 hours. The daily train G99 departs from Shanghai at nearly 14:00 in the afternoon and gets to Hong Kong at 22:00 in the evening. ( 6 Days Hong Kong to Shanghai Megacities Fashion Tour by Bullet Train ) Please check more details below:

Popular Shanghai Tours: >> 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour / 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

Popular Hong Kong Tours: >> 1 Day Valuable Hong Kong Tour / 2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour

• Departure / Train Staiton
• Seat Type / USD Price / Availability

Note: Train information is subject to final confirmation due to the delay of data occasionally.

Shanghai Hong Kong High Speed Train Route

Shanghai Hong Kong High Speed Railway is linked by 3 different sections, including the Shanghai-Kunming High Speed Railway, Beijing-Guangzhou High Speed Railway and Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Railway. Its length is 1,931km (1,200 miles) and totally has 10 stations. The HSR starts from Shanghai, passes through Hangzhou and Jinhua (Zhejiang Province), Shangrao and Nanchang (Jiangxi Province), Changsha (Hunan Province) and Shaoguan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, and finally arrives at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.

Shanghai Hong Kong High Speed Train Map

Situated in No.1500, Shengui Road, Minhang District, West Shanghai (上海市闵行区申贵路1500号), Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is Shanghai’s main railway station which operates only high speed trains. It is next to Shanghai Hongqiao International airport and you can walk between it and Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport easily. If you want to go to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station from Shanghai Pudong Airport, you can take maglev train first and then transfer to the railway station by metro Line 2. Metro Line 10 is also accessible to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. It passes through the Bund and Yuyuan Garden as well. Shanghai Transportation Guide >

Hong Kong West Kowloon Terminus (香港西九龙总站)

As the only railway station operating high speed trains to mainland China, Hong Kong West Kowloon Terminus is an important high speed railway station located between Kowloon Station (九龙站) and Austin Station (柯士甸站). It is still under construction and will be open to public when Guangzhou Shenzhen Hong Kong High Speed Railway Station is put into service. Because of the railway station’s good location in central Hong Kong, you can easily find good hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, etc. nearby. You can transfer from West Kowloon Terminus to Hong Kong International Airport by Airport Express. Airport Express also take a stop at Victoria Peak Park where you can savor the attractive skyline of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Transportation Guide >

High Speed Train Tips

Class of Ticket

On high speed trains from Beijing to Hong Kong, there are two kinds of tickets are provided, including First Class Seat and Second Class Seat. Second Class Seat is the most budget level you will share a row space with other passengers. First Class of Seat is more comfortable and quiet for those who prefer a good rest on the way. Such arrangement is similar to some high speed D trains in China. However, as the short running time between the cities, there is no Business Class Seats, Premier Class Seats or Dining Car onboard. Check All Types of Seats on China High Speed Train>

Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel

For most high speed railway sections in China mainland, foreign tourists can book train ticket online or ask help from ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport . One thing you should remember is to book the ticket as early as possible, especially in peak tourist seasons. After collecting the tickets, please read carefully about the train number, departure date and station to make sure you won’t miss the train. If you want to cancel, alter your train tickets, you are required to bring your passport to the ticket counter and make the adjustments. For trains to and from Hong Kong, you could contact us to know more about tickets booking, collection, alteration and cancellation. Check details about How to Book, Collect, Alter, and Cancel Train Tickets>

Board & Get off

1) Prepare your documents well (valid passport with China Visa); 2) Get to the right train station in advance; 3) Collect train tickets; 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train. Keep the ticket well, because the ticket will be checked again to leave the station after you get off. Check details about How to Board & Disembark a Train>

China train travel with luggage is much easier than taking flight, for you don’t need to check luggage separately. Each passenger with a train ticket is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types. Though there are written regulation and rules about the luggage allowance, in practice, passengers can take as much luggage as you can if only you handled them properly. Check detailed Baggage Allowance & Policy to Take China Train>

Facilities and Service

All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service to make your journey more convenient and comfortable. There are different places you can put your luggage onboard, racks and specialized luggage storage areas. Besides, the air-conditioner train offers you plug under the seats to charge your phone or laptop, sightseeing window to view the outside scenery as well as western-style toilets. There is also available dining area you can get some supplies. Bilingual signs and the broadcast use both Chinese and English so that you don’t need to worry about the communication. Check All Facilities & Service on China Train>

Plan Your Hong Kong Shanghai High Speed Train Travel with China Discovery

Shanghai and Hong Kong are both modern international metropolises with fantastic local culture, history and city views. Knwon as the most prosperous city in China, Shanghai has lots of landmarks you can’t miss, such as the eye-cathing skyscrapers - Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, impressive cultural & historical sites - Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden & Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple, and famous spot - the Bund, etc. Usually, tourist can take 2~3 days to visit the essence, or longer to discover more spots around. Our 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour leads you to know more history and current flourishing citylandscape. Once you get to Hong Kong, you can join in our 2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour including Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island, with most feautured highlights.

If you have more ideas and questions about your China high speed train travel, you can contact us for more details and useful advice and tips. Here is Popular China High Speed Bullet Train Tours you can refer to.

Extension Readings of High Speed Train Travel in China

• How to Read Your Train Tickets
• How to Collect Your Train Tickets
• Food & Drinks Onboard
• Toilets & Washrooms Onboard
• Most Useful Train Travel Tips & Advice
• Most Useful Chinese Phrases for Taking Trains
• Fuxing Trains
• Ultimate China Train Travel Guide
• Top 10 Advantages of Train Travel in China

Schedules of More Nearby Popular Trains

• Shanghai to Beijing Train Schedule
• Shanghai to Huangshan Train Schedule
• Shanghai to Hangzhou Train Schedule
• Shanghai to Suzhou Trains Train Schedule
• Hong Kong to Guilin Train Schedule
• Hong Kong to Guangzhou Train Schedule

Recommended High Speed Train Tours

Top 3 High Speed Train tours chosen by most customers to explore High Speed Train in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

7 Days Vibrant & Ancient China Tour from Hong Kong

Hong Kong / Shanghai / Beijing

11 Days Authentic China Tour from Hong Kong

Hong Kong / Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin / Shanghai

14 Days China Leisure Tour from Hong Kong

Hong Kong / Beijing / Xian / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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How to Travel From Hong Kong to Shanghai by Train and Plane

Andrew Rowat / Stone / Getty Images

Separated by 762 miles (1,226 kilometers), Hong Kong and Shanghai are two of the most tourist-centric cities in Asia, offering visitors dynamically different experiences. Although flying is the quickest way of traveling from Hong Kong to Shanghai, you can also drive, but it would take you about 15 hours to cover the distance, so many travelers opt for the high-speed train.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Hong Kong to Shanghai?

The cheapest way to travel from Hong Kong to Shanghai is by train. Whereas a one-way flight can cost up to $600 during February (the month of Chinese New Year) and about $200 most other months, a train ticket on the slow sleeper train will set you back $56 or $92, depending on whether you want a hard bunk or a soft bunk. You'll save on the cost of a hotel room for one night if you don't mind the 19-hour ride.

Alternatively, there's the high-speed Bullet Train, also cheaper than a flight but not by much: Tickets purchased in advance cost $150 for the most basic second class accommodation. These trains depart from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station after about eight hours, 30 minutes of traveling, making stops in Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen along the way.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Hong Kong to Shanghai?

The fastest way to travel between the two is by plane. According to Skyscanner , the average flight time is two hours, 30 minutes. Several airlines operate direct flights, including Cathay Dragon, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, and others.

How Long Does It Take to Drive? 

To drive the 910 miles (1,464 kilometers) between Hong Kong and Shanghai would take 15 hours, so most people choose to travel by plane or train.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Shanghai?

The cheapest time to fly to Shanghai is in March when it costs about as much as a high-speed train ticket ($150). Otherwise, be prepared to spend upward of $200 anytime throughout the summer, $500 in January, or $600+ in February, when the locals tend to travel most for Chinese New Year.

The period of April through August is generally the cheapest time to travel, which means the city sees the most international visitors. However, the weather during this time is less than ideal. The heat combined with relentless rain (July is the wettest month) can sometimes lead to near-unbearable humidity. October and November are much more comfortable weather-wise and are less busy with travelers.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Shanghai?

There is a formal border that separates Hong Kong from China and it includes passport control and customs checks. Whereas American travelers do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong, visas are required to visit mainland China. This visa should be applied for at least a month in advance. It cannot be obtained at the port of entry, but you'll need to allow for time at the border to conduct such formalities. The traditional tourist visa permits visitation for up to 90 days.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

The Pudong International Airport is Shanghai's main airport, although it is home to Hongqiao International, too. Taxis aside, travelers can get from Pudong to the city center by shuttle bus, metro, or maglev (another rail option). The airport operates an express bus whose Lines 1 and 8 (departing from Terminals 1 and 2) will take you right into the center, but the ride takes about 70 minutes. A single ride costs about 15 cents.

Alternatively, you can take one of two trains. Line 2 (the green line) of the Metro travels from Pudong International to the city center in about eight minutes. Covering this distance would cost about 80 cents. Alternatively, the maglev is Shanghai's magnetic levitation train, which also covers the distance in about eight minutes and costs about $5.70.

What Is There to Do in Shanghai?

The coastal city of Shanghai is comprised of picturesque colonial-era buildings that line the waterfront in an idyllic scene. This mile-long stretch along the western bank of the Huangpu River is called The Bund and it's often referred to as the "museum of buildings" due to its architectural gems. A stark contrast to the old aesthetic is the contemporary Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower, containing 11 LED-lit spheres. It was the tallest structure in China before the Shanghai World Financial Center became not only the tallest building in China but the second tallest building in the world. A jaunt along Nanjing Road—one of the busiest shopping streets in the world—will put you in the lively part of the city, but if you want peace, try meditating at one of the city's many ornate temples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hong Kong is 910 land miles (1,464 kilometers) from Shanghai.

High-speed trains depart from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station within about 8.5 hours.

Flying is the fastest but most expensive way to reach Shanghai. The flight time is about two and a half hours.

Related Articles

More related articles.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai - Which City Should I Visit?

Hong Kong or Shanghai, which city is better for visiting? These two big regions on the southern coast of China both have interesting places to see, parks, supertall buildings, and shopping malls, and you can have great time in both.

It depends on what you are looking for. For example, if knowing Chinese mainland is your primary interest, then Shanghai is better, and it is also less expensive. If you want nature and better air quality, Hong Kong is better for that.

Here in this article, we compare Hong Kong vs Shanghai in many ways including population density, historical sights, ancient/old historical places, main travel highlights, skyline and scenic beauty, side trip options, food and dining experiences, youth interest, kid friendliness, amusement parks, shopping, malls, comparative prices, weather, nature, beaches, international communications, visas and transport to help you make a decision about which you'd prefer to visit.

What's Covered

• Quick Facts
• Food & Drink
• Youth Culture & Night Life
• Activities for Children
• Facilities & Theme Parks
• Weather,Climate & Air Quality
• Visa Policies & Transport
• Conclusions

Hong Kong vs Shanghai Quick Facts

Hong Kong's features: shopping, financial and business center, East-Western fusion culture, highly advanced, freedom loving, country parks, international gourmet capital. Hong Kong is unique and trend-setting.

Shanghai's features: megapolis, modern China, the Bund, western colonial heritage, tall towers, historical green water towns. Shanghai is huge, an economic showpiece.

Relatively small Hong Kong has a lot of superlatives that makes it the best city in the world in certain ways you should know about: Hong Kong Facts: Top for Tourism, Business, Wealth, IQ...(2019)

Shanghai, often considered the biggest city in the world on some measures, has superlative and interesting aspects too: Shanghai Facts - 10 Things You Should Know

Travel Highlights: Hong Kong vs Shanghai

Hong kong must-see travel sites: brief description, location, time needed and tips, shanghai's best travel sites: brief description, location, time needed and tips, history: hong kong vs shanghai, hong kong's historical places are fairly new.

Hong Kong was not a city until the British colonized the area in the 1800s. Before that however, small villages and towns dotted the region. Some like Tai O, an old fishing village on stilts in Lantau, and Kat Hing Wai, a 500 year old Punti village and fortress, might be interesting for some tourists. There are walled villages, temples, and some buildings a few hundred years old.

Hong Kong has good museums. At the Hong Kong History Museum, you'll get an idea of the area's history. The British-built fortress, Museum of Coastal Defense, on the east side of Hong Kong Island helps you understand the area's military history. There are exhibits of the Japanese attack in WWII there. The Museum of Art gives a history of China's art and ceramics and porcelain.

The new Ciqu Center in the West Kowloon Cultural District has traditional Chinese opera and performances of traditional music where you can learn something about ancient culture. You may get the feeling this is the classic China you have longed to see.

Shanghai Has a Longer History in Comparison

Shanghai and its suburbs have a longer history and many more historical places. Water towns in the area have construction to see stretching back hundreds of years.

Shanghai was declared a county in the  Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). But, like Hong Kong, the city of Shanghai itself is a relatively new one that only became an important city under European colonial rule. Several empires such as the French and British had concessions in Shanghai during the 1800s and early 1900s, and this is how Shanghai grew into a major city. However, as in Hong Kong, rapid urbanization and modernization has obliterated much of the older architecture and historical sites in the city.

Now, tourists can see a few gardens and temples that are hundreds of year old which create some sense of history such as Yuyuan Garden and the Jade Buddha Temple .

Some older areas of Shanghai remain. You can walk through the narrow alleyways in (Nongtang) of the old town area. Traces of the quaint old-time agrarian town life are preserved in nearby water towns that have always provided popular day-trips from Shanghai.

The Old Water Towns of Shanghai

Zhujiajiao Water Town is one hour from central Shanghai. You can choose to stroll around by foot to admire the numerous fascinating canals, bridges and architecture in this old water town...

Alternatively, you can take boat or ferry rides . The shortest ride takes you up and down the main canal in the middle of the town while the longest takes you around the town and back.

A 2-day Shanghai and Zhujiajiao tour is perfect for those who want to see modern Shanghai as well as a traditional ancient town.

Insider tips: If you have more time, we recommend Nanxun and Tongli , which are a bit further away but are less commercial and less crowded. Detailed information about the Top 10 Ancient Water Towns Near Shanghai will help you to make a choice.

Hong Kong's Little Old Villages vs Shanghai's Old Water Towns and Urban Areas

What do they have in common?

• Both have narrow alleyways with lanes between or connecting the old traditional houses/apartments.
• Both are old residential areas representing the old style of living in each city and are popular among tourists.
• Shanghai's water towns have some locally famed lanes packed with cafes and fancy stores worth exploring if you go out of Shanghai to visit them. Hong Kong's little old villages are too small to stroll in though you may find shops and places to eat.

Comparison of the 19th and 20th Century Colonial Architecture

Shanghai has a lot more old European architecture. In the 19th century, land concessions were established in Shanghai, and the Europeans built a lot of buildings in various national styles and in styles of various historical eras.

The Shanghai International Settlement (joint concession to British and Americans) was established in 1863, and it lasted 78 years until 1941. The French concession in Shanghai was established in 1849 and existed nearly a century until 1943.

Two old colonial areas that are well known for tourism is Tianzifang, a tourist shopping and café area in Shanghai in the old French quarter, and Xintiandi that is known for an excellent reconstruction project carried out by a Hong Kong company. Tianzifang is good for souvenirs and unique cultural shops that sell products relating to tea therapy.

Xintiandi is a better-known redevelopment within the French Concession for used for shopping, gourmet restaurants, and luxury stores. It is quite upscale and is one of Shanghai's most expensive shopping areas. It is known for local arts studios and art displays.

Insider tips: Tianzifang and Xintiandi are similar. Both feature shikumen (traditional residences with gates and courtyards) and are favorite places to go for many young tourists and expats in Shanghai. Whereas Xintiandi was renovated on a grand scale, Tianzifang was renovated on an ad-hoc basis.

Due to this, you may feel that Tianzifang has a lot more of its former character. It is truly a haphazard labyrinth of narrow alleyways and shikumen. Residents still live in the apartments above the shop units. It is more of a middle-budget area.

The winner for places of historical interest: Shanghai

If you are interested in the European colonial era, you'll find more colonial-era construction in Shanghai than in Hong Kong. But in Hong Kong, the European/Western cultural influence and traditions live on to the present. The British customs and ideas are in the everyday lifestyles of native Hong Kongers.

Hong Kong has a few old villages that are still preserved. There are some good well-preserved British buildings to see such as Flagstaff House that now houses the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park. It is one of Hong Kong's excellent examples of British architecture.

Hong Kong has very good museums and some well-built colonial buildings, but Shanghai's museums such as the Shanghai History Museum are a lot bigger and have more ancient exhibits to see. The Shanghai Museum is a large glass building that is easily reached on People's Square near Nanjing Road. So the location is more convenient than the Hong Kong History Museum that is sort of out of the way in East Tsim Sha Tsui and more difficult to reach on foot.

The Hong Kong History Museum is about Hong Kong history mostly, but the Shanghai History Museum is about Chinese history.

The stylish architectural collection on The Bund and the leafy laneways of the French Concession give you a totally different outlook on Chinese history. Shanghai has traditional centuries-old roots.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Urban Architecture, Scenic Beauty, and Skylines

Urban architecture and skylines.

For many people, one of the main travel highlights in both cities is the very tall buildings. At first sight, Shanghai wins out since it has the world's 2nd tallest building in 2019, the Shanghai Tower .

But Hong Kong has its vertical advantages too: It is known for being the city with the most skyscrapers in the world . The ICC Tower is the 12th tallest in the world and has the world's highest hotel. If you can afford the Ritz Carlton, then it is probably the world's best hotel at these very tall heights.

Moreover, Hong Kong also has Asia's first skyscraper that many think is still among Asia's most beautiful called the Bank of China Tower. When it was built in 1989, Hong Kong became the first city outside of the US to have a skyscraper, and it started the current Asian skyscraper boom. It had innovative design features, and its lighting effects (like lightning) catches the eye at night during the Symphony of Lights.

Conclusion: Hong Kong wins for architecture and skyline. Though Shanghai has a much taller building and a tall tower, Hong Kong has the tallest and most beautiful skyline. Generally, the skyline is considered the best in the world day and night. The Symphony of Lights is a daily spectacle.

Beating all of them for beauty, Hong Kong has a mountain called Victoria Peak. It is 56 meters shorter than the Shanghai Tower in pancake flat Shanghai, but it is definitely much bigger, and it has the better views from its observation points and an observation deck atop of Peak Tower Mall on top of it.

Hong Kong's Overall Scenery Is Much Better

Hong Kong is generally considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world for other reasons too. Along with the highly vertical skyline and the beauty of the forested peak, Victoria Harbour, the surrounding blue sea, and the blue sky with less pollution makes Hong Kong much more attractive and scenic.

The best natural scenery is in the clean big white sand beaches and mountain country parklands as explained below in the Nature Comparison section.

Overall winner for scenic beauty: Hong Kong

The better architecture, more beautiful skyline and light displays, far more natural beauty, and less pollution and cleaner seas combine to make the city beautiful.

Side Trips: Hong Kong vs Shanghai

Both cities have bullet train stations that can take you to the interesting highlights of their regions in an hour or two.

The Hong Kong region is better for shopping for international products and luxury goods, and Guangzhou and Shenzhen are better for buying Chinese electronics, clothing and many other things since the area is a big industrial region. Macau is another world attraction only about hour away by ferry or by bus.

While Hangzhou and Suzhou and the water towns near Shanghai are packed with history and scenic areas, the Hong Kong area with world-famous Macau and the huge cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou is generally more interesting from a 21st century angle. Some of the world's and China's tallest buildings are now in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Shanghai Side Trip Options

• 1 Day to Zhujiajiao Water Town
• 2 Days to Hangzhou "a city without cash," where you can experience the cutting edge technology in addition to the city's beautiful scenery
• 1-2 Days to Suzhou , a charming city with classic southern Chinese gardens and traditional waterside architecture.
• 4 Days escape to Huangshan , a city named after one of the top destinations in China, the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan) , with ancient-style dwellings to explore in villages like Hongcun and Xidi.

Hong Kong Side Trip Options

From Hong Kong, using the bullet train, you can reach Guangzhou in less than an hour and Shenzhen about 25 minutes. Here are some side trip ideas:

• One-Day Macau Tour from Hong Kong - taking you to visit famous historical sites and do some shopping in Macau.
• 4-Day Guangzhou and Shenzhen Tour

Conclusion: Winner on side trips is Hong Kong

Yes, Hong Kong again. Unless you are particularly interested in climbing Huangshan, a 3-hour bullet train journey away from Shanghai plus additional travel time, then touring Hong Kong's local region is more varied and interesting. The attractions in Guangzhou , Macau, and Shenzhen are better than those in Hangzhou and Suzhou overall.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Food & Dining Comparison

Hong Kong is better than Shanghai for dining too. Shanghai has local specialties such as xiaolongbao or shengjianbao, hundun dumplings, pan-fried pork buns, braised pork, beggar's chicken, steamed crab and various street foods.

Colonial history has given Hong Kong an advantage on the quality-international-cuisine front. It was officially a British colony until 1997, and Hong Kong became internationalized. You can find world-class Italian, French, Japanese, and Indian food as well as various styles of Chinese gourmet cuisine. The restaurants are rated very highly by ratings publications such as the Michelin's Guide.

For example, all of Shanghai has 34 Michelin restaurants in 2019. It has one 3-star restaurant and 8 2-star restaurants. But just one building, the ICC Tower, has a 3-star Italian, a 2-star Cantonese, and a 2-star Japanese restaurant with Hong Kong's best views on the 101st and 102nd floors.

Hong Kong's Michelin restaurants are not all expensive. Hong Kong is noted for having the among least expensive Michelin restaurants in the world too.

Shopping and Malls: Hong Kong vs Shanghai

For more enjoyable luxury shopping.

The IFC Mall in the IFC Towers is the best luxury mall in China for tourists wanting to enjoy luxury shopping while enjoying fine views, fine dining, and convenient location. Unlike the Landmark Mall, it is a favorite of window shoppers and tourists .

The waterfront view is among the best in Hong Kong. It overlooks Victoria Harbor , and its rooftop cafes and bars are notable. It is a place to watch the daily Symphony of Lights .

Convenient transport: It is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare for people passing between the Central ferries, the MTR subways below, and the rest of the area. People enjoy shopping on the way to the airport via the convenient, direct Airport Express subway below it.

Shopping Streets and Variety of Shops: Comparison

Hong Kong is much better for shopping in general. For middle-budget and especially luxury shopping, tourists and international travellers find that Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world, and Shanghai with China's tariff walls and barriers against imports and luxury goods isn't as good a place for shopping except for maybe getting bargains on Chinese made products if you are not looking for quality or service. However, for some products or kinds of products made is China such as souvenirs and antiques, Shanghai is better if you do you research and know what you are hunting for.

For example, Shanghai has Nanjing Road , one of the world's busiest shopping streets, full of luxury options if you want them. But most tourists will be thinking, why come to China for international luxuries? Hong Kong offers more and at better prices and services. 

Though Shanghai has bargain shopping areas, most tourists still prefer Hong Kong's bargain electronics and fashion areas such as Ladies Market. Though Guangzhou and Shenzhen are right next door where much of the world's consumer electronics and electronics accessories and components are made, shoppers from Chinese mainland from these areas often prefer Hong Kong for their shopping on Mainland products too. It is partly because Hong Kong stores and services have a better reputation. See more about Hong Kong's Top Street Markets

Luxury Mall Comparison: Hong Kong Wins Again

Hong Kong has been long known for its bargain shopping, but it is also known for its huge world-class malls for both luxury and middle-budget items where people come from around the world to shop in.

The ritzy factor: Shoppers looking for the highest fashion and the most costly luxury can find it in Hong Kong. The millions of international and Mainland shoppers who come to Hong Kong bring lots of money for shopping, and they want the best and can get it in Hong Kong.

The trust and service factors: Service is a key factor. If you want some kind of service or repair warranties or guarantees, or to be more sure of quality, then only the reputable Hong Kong stores provide this.

In HK you can avoid China's extra taxes and duties. It is the combination of low taxes, no tariffs, and free trade that makes the area so attractive, as well as good service and honest business practices. For more about Hong Kong shopping, see An Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong Shopping: What to Buy and Where to Shop

Comparative Prices: Hong Kong and Shanghai

How do the two cities stack up on prices?

Meals: Expect that it costs about 40% more to eat at middle-budget restaurants and about 30% more for low-budget restaurants. Overall, eating out in Hong Kong will cost you 50 percent more than in Shanghai. People might be surprised that a cheap bowl of noodles costs about 3 USD in Hong Kong, but only 1 or 2 USD in Shanghai's cheapest restaurants that might be open to the air, have no aircon, and be a worse setting, so part of the additional costs in Hong Kong covers the better restaurant facilities.

Hotels: Staying at Hong Kong hotels cost about 50% more in general. The 5-star hotels cost more than 1,800 HKD (230 USD), but 3-star hotels cost about 80 USD or more.

Shopping: Hong Kong is the cheapest of any city in China when it comes to prices of brand name jeans, shoes and dresses; even a bottle of coke is going to cost less in Hong Kong. Yet the prices for souvenirs are cheapest in cities like Xi'an and Hangzhou, and in Shanghai, prices are in the middle of the two.

If your budget is limited, then Shanghai is still a better value probably if you don't plan to do much shopping and want to eat cheaply. You can stay for more days on the same amount of money.

Youth Culture & Night Life: Hong Kong vs Shanghai

The winner is Hong Kong. Shanghai often has quality music festivals and is a stop-off point on world tours of the big acts all year round, but Hong Kong has the same. Hong Kong has the better theme parks, but what really sets Hong Kong apart from most other big cities in Asia is the outdoors that young people love. It has excellent beaches, mountains for hiking, and fairly pollution-free water though some areas near Shenzhen are somewhat polluted.

If you can afford the higher costs in Hong Kong, the general international ambience and more friendly, generally safe, and respectful atmosphere of Hong Kong is something almost unique in the world. It is an East & West cultural meeting point, and you'll feel more free generally to do the things you want to do. It is more posh, and good facilities such as good quality park and beach facilities are taken for granted and free. See the Nature section below.

Activities for Kids in Hong Kong vs Shanghai

The winner for family fun and kids' activities is Hong Kong! Hong Kong is more fun!

Hong Kong has everything that Shanghai has for kids, but much more too. It has a range of opportunities for kids' fun and learning that they can't get in many places. For example, Shanghai has a Disney theme park, but Hong Kong has one that might be better for children since it is smaller, less crowded, and English is spoken. Theme park staff are more friendly and like speaking English with kids. See more below in the Theme Park Comparison section.

Kids love the clean sandy beaches and parkland, the fine museums that are more oriented for kids and English speakers, and the exciting mix of cultures and people when they go to Tsim Sha Tsui and other places. The more advanced and educated atmosphere where cultures mix and get along is more fun and interesting for children, and the general use of English makes the environment easier for kids to enjoy. See The Top 12 Things to Do with Kids in Hong Kong

Shanghai however presents children with China that more resembles the China that they read about in history books. So if you want to teach kids about China or ancient China, than Shanghai is better for that. See 10 Interesting Things to Do with Kids in Shanghai

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Tourist Facilities, Amusement Parks and Theme Parks

Both cities have Disneylands. Hong Kong's is 11 years older. Shanghai's opened in 2016, and it is much bigger. Both have natural settings, and the rides are a toss up. But the attractions are in Chinese in Shanghai, but English is used extensively in Hong Kong,

However, Hong Kong has an even more popular and larger park called Ocean Park with equivalent rides. But Shanghai has one of the world's major aquariums, the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, conveniently next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. Ocean Park has sea mammal acts, a large aquarium of its own and excellent scenery from its tram. A third small theme park in HK, Noah's Ark is especially geared for children.

Shanghai also has Happy Valley with thrill rides, but in general, because the park is often crowded, somewhat dirty, more difficult to access and enjoy, and queueing takes a long time, it doesn't match the experience of Shanghai Disney.

Conclusion: Hong Kong wins again. If you really want to see sea animals like a sea life zoo, then Shanghai has it. But if you mainly want thrill rides, then Hong Kong has better ones spread over two parks. If you want to avoid crowding and problems of Mainland crowds, then Hong Kong is where people are more respectful generally. Also Hong Kong parks have the advantage that almost everyone speaks English and are more friendly.

Conclusion: The big winner for shopping is Hong Kong.

For bargain shopping and a taste of China, Shenzhen, just across the border, is a place you can go on a Hong Kong trip.

The prices, selection and especially the service and warranties/guarantees are things Shanghai can't match. In 2019, for example, CEOWorld Magazine ranks Hong Kong as #4 in the world for shopping after New York and Paris and far ahead of any other city in Asia.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Which Has Better Weather and Climate?

Basically, Hong Kong's weather is much better. If you are visiting China during summer, than Hong Kong has a climate that is cooler and more pleasant due to the ocean breezes. Both cities get tropical storms, so in this respect, the cities don't differ much.

Shanghai is on a similar latitude to New Orleans, Dallas, and Los Angeles. It has a humid subtropical climate. Shanghai is suitable for travel all the year around, and it has with four distinct seasons. The best season to visit Shanghai is autumn to avoid the summer heat and winter chills. Shanghai is considered one of the "furnace cities" of China in the summer, and Shanghainese themselves like to leave for the mountains and the north in the summer. Learn more about Shanghai weather .

If, however, your proposed vacation is in winter, Hong Kong wins over Shanghai by often having mild, sunny, and at times even warm late fall and winter weather. It is the best time for country park hiking. Shanghai's late fall and winter weather can be chilly, damp and cold. Morever, Hong Kong is less polluted. Learn more about Hong Kong weather .

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Nature, Parks, Beaches, Forests

Along with Lantau Island's parks, the big tracks of country park in the east are Hong Kong's best outdoor areas . Because of the good trails, big size, and unusual scenery of lakes, waterfalls, rock formations, islands, and big empty beaches, eastern Hong Kong is great for outdoor adventure.

Sections 1 through 4 of the MacLehose Trail goes through this area, and there are nine country parks extending over a large area to Clearwater Bay. There are big natural beaches, hills, campsites, small villages, unusual geology, and waterfalls to explore. You can hike and camp for several days.

Big winner for nature and outdoors: Hong Kong! Hong Kong might be unique in the world for such a technologically and economically advanced large city sitting in such beautiful nature parkland. The lower pollution really makes the southern islands of Hong Kong attractive for beach activities, even surfing.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: International Communications

China's firewall keeps out much of the world's news/videos/music, and you can't use or may have difficulty with many international internet apps and sites, and you'll find that all Google services and Western social media won't work or work poorly. So Hong Kong wins again on this account.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Visa Policies & Transport

• Visa policies: Shanghai has a 144-hour visa-free policy , so making trips for a week is very convenient. Hong Kong on the other hand, as an autonomous region, sets its own visa policies. But generally, Hong Kong visa policies are more liberal than China's for most tourists. See Hong Kong Visa .
• Airports: Hong Kong as a major international airport, Hong Kong International Airport, serving Hong Kong, Macau, and southern China. Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the Shanghai airport that is most commonly used by foreigners entering China.
• Taxi costs: Flag price for taxis in Shanghai are 14 yuan, and for Hong Kong, it is about 16 yuan. But since Shanghai is so huge and spread out and Hong Kong's popular tourist areas are in a smaller area, you will probably find you spend less on taxis in Hong Kong. Shanghai taxis take 1 hour and 180 RMB (26 USD) to get you to the city center, and Hong Kong taxis take 40 minutes and costs about 40 USD.
• Airport trains: Hong Kong has Airport Express trains from the airport taking 20 minutes or so between 05:50 - 00:48 daily, departing every 12 minutes, and costing 100 HKD (13 USD). The Shanghai's Maglev train connects PVG to the city center in 30 to 40 minutes depending on transfer to line 2, and costs 9 USD all together for the two rides.
• Subway: Shanghai has the world's largest subway system, but Hong Kong's subway is excellent and fast especially for airport transfer and connections between popular tourist points. It is generally considered that the Hong Kong MTR is the world's best mass transit system . Starting prices for the Shanghai subway is 3 RMB. Starting prices in Hong Kong depends on the line, but 8 HKD (1 USD) can take you between inner city destinations.

Winner for city transportation: Hong Kong

It is faster, cleaner and more efficient. The Hong Kong government keeps prices low in order to discourage vehicle use. It is to be noted that taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to get to the main tourist areas of Hong Kong costs about .30 US cents, and the views and scenery can't be beat. The ferry is actually generally counted as one of the main tourist highlights of all of China and Hong Kong put together.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: International Transportation System

Hong Kong has the best regional and international travel system in the world. People in downtown parts of the city can travel quickly in the city, to Chinese cities via bullet train, and internationally via the Airport Express connection.

Hong Kong's airport is generally considered to be among the best in the world and better than Shanghai's, and from the airport, the new bullet train can take you to many of China's main southern China and central China tourist destinations in only a few hours. Metro connections are quick from/to the airport to the HSR line that leaves from West Kowloon Station. This bullet train links Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. People travel to the Guangzhou South Station in less than an hour. Beijing and Shanghai are only a day's travel away.

The special Airport Express MTR line is very fast and directly takes tourists to two main tourist areas of Hong Kong. One station is in the ICC Tower and serves the West Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui area, and another station is under the IFC Tower serving Central. It leaves frequently and whisks people in 20 minutes to the ICC Tower. Both stations are hub stations so you can continue on in the MTR system quickly.

The winner for international travel is: again Hong Kong

The 20 minute or so travel time to downtown Hong Kong can't be beat, and both of the main downtown stations have flight check-in service to further speed your travel. Shanghai's airports are too far from the city center, and if people want to use the public rail system by transferring between the Maglev line and the subway to go between Pudong Airport and downtown, it might take 40 minutes and is more of a hassle.

Also, the more liberal visa policies of Hong Kong so that many nationalities can enter and stay for extended periods visa-free is a bonus Shanghai can't match.

Hong Kong vs Shanghai: Conclusions

1. If you want to see and experience more of Chinese mainland, China's history, and water towns , then a Shanghai trip might take least 3 days for the must-sees and easily a week if you want to immerse yourself and do the side trips.

2. For a better experience, better shopping, nature, less pollution, more of an energizing experience, clean beaches, and fine dining, then Hong Kong has it if you are willing to pay more. For many, the opportunity to stay for weeks or months visa-free (depending on their nationality) is quite attractive if they want to have extended stays and use Hong Kong as a base to go to China. We suggest 3 days in Hong Kong plus another 2 days for side trips will probably give you a happier and better experience.

3. In general though, Hong Kong beats Shanghai for most of the points considered on this list if you are willing to pay the extra costs. The quality is better, but it costs more.

4. An option to consider is to book a private tour to maximize your precious time, and we can arrange a trip to both cities!

Enjoy Shanghai and/or Hong Kong Highlights with Us

Recommended shanghai and hong kong tours.

• 4-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, Water Town Culture Tour This tour visits the Bund, Nanxun Water Town, and Hangzhou
• A Broad Taste of China - the tourism and taste highlights of Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong in 13 days

All our tours can be customized. Contact us to receive a free quotation for a tailor-made tour - just tell us your requirements and interests. You can propose two tour ideas, one for Shanghai and one for Hong Kong, and we can explain the costs for each for your comparison.

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• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Hong Kong 28 min 26 km

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