Transport · Stations · Shanghai
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
上海虹桥站. China's largest station by floor area, the western end of the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed line, integrated with Hongqiao Airport and Metro Lines 2 and 10.
About this station
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station opened in 2010 as the centrepiece of the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, a planned infrastructure complex designed to integrate air travel, high-speed rail, and urban metro under a single roof. The station is consistently cited as one of the largest in the world by gross floor area.
The building stretches roughly 1.5 kilometres from east to west and handles over 300,000 passengers on a typical day. It is the western terminus of the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed line and a major junction for services heading south to Hangzhou, Ningbo, and ultimately Guangzhou, and west toward Kunming and Chongqing.
Navigating Hongqiao requires familiarising yourself with the platform zone system (A through D, corresponding to different waiting hall sections), as the concourse is too large to sprint across if you misjudge your timing. The integration with Hongqiao Airport T2 is seamless for passengers transferring from a domestic flight to a high-speed train — a combination that can significantly reduce overall journey time for multi-city itineraries.
Entry tips
The largest station in China by floor area and one of the busiest in the world. Integrated with Hongqiao Airport T2 and two metro lines. Allow 45 minutes from arrival to platform for first-time visitors — the building is genuinely large. Check your platform zone (A–D) from the departure boards before descending.
Security flow
Four-stage process in the largest sections: check-in hall entry scan, waiting hall admission, and two platform-level checks. The station has a dedicated international traveller information counter near the main entrance.
Food inside the station
Extensive catering over three levels: Shanghainese xiaolongbao restaurants, Cantonese roast stalls, noodle counters, sushi bars, and a full range of fast-food chains. The upper food court (Level 3) has sit-down restaurants.
Food nearby
The Hongqiao commercial district west of the station has shopping malls with extensive dining. The Gubei area, a 15-minute taxi ride, has a concentration of international restaurants.
Transit to the city
Metro Lines 2 and 10 serve the station directly. Line 2 reaches People's Square in 30 minutes and continues to Pudong. Taxis queue on the station's north plaza. The station shares infrastructure with Hongqiao Airport T2, so airport bus transfers are also possible.