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4 Best Ways To Get From Shanghai To Suzhou

Due to its close proximity, Suzhou is a popular travel destination for those staying in Shanghai. Whether it’s as a tourist to see the famous canals of the old town or as a business traveler meeting with a factory supplier, millions of visitors come to Suzhou every year from Shanghai every year. Below are 4 of the best ways to get from Shanghai to Suzhou.
 

Where Are You Departing From?

Shanghai is a megacity with the world’s largest population spread over more than 6,000 square kilometers, so it is essential for travelers to define from which point of the city they are traveling to Suzhou from. The location could inform your decision on which type of transport to take.

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport– International passengers are more likely to land at Pudong Airport. Located on the east coast, the airport is about 30 kilometers from the center of Shanghai.
   
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport – Business travelers who are coming from the rest of China will arrive at Hongqiao Airport, which is situated 13 kilometers west of the center of the city. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is also located in the same area, which services most of the city’s high-speed train routes.
   
• Downtown Shanghai– Downtown Shanghai is defined by  The Bund, the historic waterfront on the western side of the Huangpu River, and the river’s eastern bank, where the new modern skyscrapers overlook the city. 

Where Are You Headed?

The iconic canal system and famous old streets of Suzhou are part of what attracts so many visitors to the city, but at the same time makes it tricky to navigate for newcomers. When traveling to Suzhou, it is important to know where the downtown is located.

• Downtown Suzhou– The downtown of Suzhou can be roughly defined as incorporating Pingjiang, Canglang, and some areas of Jinchang district. The center of the city is surrounded by the Weichang River, a rectangular canal system that runs throughout the streets and roads. The vast majority of tourist landmarks can be found in this part of Suzhou.

Shanghai To Suzhou By Train

• Cost: RMB40
• Comfort & Convenience: 6/10

How long does it take from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown? 

• Taking Subway from Pudong Airport to Hongqiao Railway Station = 1 hour
• Train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station = 30 mins
• Subway from Suzhou North Railway Station to Downtown Suzhou = 30 mins
• Minimum waiting time = 50 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 50 mins

Please note: this does not include the time needed for queueing up to get the tickets, walking between stations and lining up to get on the train. Passengers also need to arrive the train stations in advance (at least 30 minutes) to buy or print out the tickets and get on the train on time. Minimum time required for all these activities is from 50 minutes up to 1h 30 minutes. During the National holidays, there are long queues everywhere and both subway and trains are overcrowded. Moreover, train tickets are usually sold out in advance (2-3 weeks before the departure date), during holidays in China. 

How long does it take from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Subway from Hongqiao Airport to Hongqiao Railway Station = 5 mins
• Train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station = 30 mins
• Subway from Suzhou North Railway Station to Downtown Suzhou = 30 mins
• Minimum waiting time = 50 mins
• Total Journey Time = 1 Hour 55 Mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Downtown to Suzhou Downtown?

• Subway from Shanghai Downtown to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station = 40 mins
• Train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station = 30 mins
• Subway from Suzhou North Railway Station to Downtown Suzhou = 30 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 30 mins

Please note: this does not include the time needed for queueing up to get the tickets, walking between stations and lining up to get on the train. Passengers also need to arrive the train stations in advance (at least 30 minutes) to buy or print out the tickets and get on the train on time. Minimum time required for all these activities is from 50 minutes up to 1h 30 minutes.  During the National holidays, the queues everywhere are vey long and both subway and trains are overcrowded. Moreover, train tickets are usually sold out in advance (2-3 weeks before the departure date), during holidays in China. 

With regular trains running between Shanghai and Suzhou and with both cities boasting subway systems, traveling from Shanghai to Suzhou by train is certainly a viable option for some travelers.

Advantages:

• The train that runs from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station only takes 40 minutes on average. If you are based near Hongqiao Railway Station and your final destination is near Suzhou North Railway Station then it is a convenient way of traveling between the two cities.
   
• All signs are posted and all announcements are made in both Chinese and English on the train from Shanghai to Suzhou as well as the subway systems in both cities. For visitors who are unfamiliar with the local language, it makes traveling around slightly less daunting.

Disadvantages:

• Most international travelers who are wishing to travel from Shanghai to Suzhou by train will plan to buy their tickets in person on the day of travel. For first time visitors, these stations can be very overwhelming. Hongqiao Railway Station is the largest station in all of Asia so finding the ticket counter is not always the easiest. The queues can also be extremely long and once you reach the counter, the clerks rarely speak or understand any English.
   
• Travelers who plan to travel with suitcases are recommended to take careful note that there is very limited luggage space on most trains in China. Coupled with the fact that train attendants are strict about heavy luggage being placed in the overhead compartment, it leaves travelers being forced to leave their suitcases in the space allocated near the train doors. Unattended luggage such as this is easy targets for thieves. 
   
• Despite the train from Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou North Railway Station only taking 40 minutes, it is the time required to travel by subway to Hongqiao station and from Suzhou North station to your final destination that really adds time to the journey. Travelers must take note of these transfer times and not only the train times.

Shanghai To Suzhou By Bus

• Cost: RMB30 - 84
• Comfort & Convenience: 5/10

How long does it take from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Bus from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 3 hours 20 mins
• Total Journey Time = 3 hours 20mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Bus from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 2 hours 20 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 20 mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Downtown to Suzhou Downtown?

• Bus from Downtown Shanghai to Downtown Suzhou = 2 hours 40 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 40 mins

One public transport alternative to the train is the bus, with both Shanghai and Suzhou offering well-developed bus networks. Although not as commonly used by international travelers, visitors are welcome to ride the bus from Shanghai to Suzhou.

Advantages:

• For those looking for the cheapest option to travel from Shanghai to Suzhou, the bus offers good value. The price fluctuates depending on where in Shanghai you are departing from and where in Suzhou you are headed, but prices typically are in the RMB30-84 range.

Disadvantages:

• Perhaps the most obvious disadvantage of taking the bus to go from Shanghai to Suzhou is that the slow speed of the vehicle and the large number of stops will significantly slow down your journey. Journeys from Shanghai to Suzhou that would usually take one hour and a half by private car, can take more than double that by bus.
   
• While the Shanghai subway and Suzhou subway both boast English signs and announcements, the buses operating through both cities do not offer the same level of service. Travelers who cannot speak Chinese are advised against using the bus as they will struggle to know where buses are headed and when their stop is.

Shanghai To Suzhou By Taxi

• Cost: RMB300 - 500
• Comfort & Convenience: 7/10

How long does it take from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Pudong Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 3 hours 10 mins
• Total Journey Time = 3 hours 10 mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Hongqiao Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 2 hours 10 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 10 mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Downtown to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Hongqiao Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 2 hours 30 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hours 30 mins

For business visitors running on a tight schedule to see suppliers or for tourists who want to make the most of a short trip to the old water town, there is also the option of hailing a taxi to travel from Shanghai to Suzhou.

Advantages:

• Travelers will be able to travel from Shanghai to Suzhou in private when opting to travel by taxi. Rather than share crowded subways or a full bus, travel alone and peace.
   
• The relief of avoiding the congestion and stress of Shanghai’s public transport system cannot be overstated. By hailing a taxi, travelers can save time on the journey and also relax, even if outside the car, the rest of the city is experiencing rush hour.

Disadvantages:

• When you choose a taxi to go from Shanghai to Suzhou, there is no guarantee you will be able to find a taxi straight away. During rush hour it can be hard to hail down a taxi, and without the local's knowledge of the best places to wait, travelers could find they waste valuable time trying to find one to take them to Suzhou. By not booking a car in advance, travelers are leaving themselves open to delays.
   
• One of the biggest challenges facing travelers who are attempting to get from Shanghai to Suzhou by taxi is quite simply that most taxi drivers in Shanghai and Suzhou do not speak English. An instruction as simple as sharing an address can be impossible and even if this is overcome, there is still a number of unforeseen issues can arise during the trip that cannot be dealt with because of the lack of communication.
   
• One serious downside that deters most travelers from using this form of travel is the many taxi scams in China. This is a problem that affects all of the country, including taxis in both Shanghai and in Suzhou. Travelers are warned to be vigilant against drivers who refuse to use their meter and those who intentionally drive the long way around to drive up the cost of the fare

Shanghai To Suzhou By Private Car

• Cost: Check Online For Competitive Rates
• Comfort & Convenience: 9/10

How long does it take from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Pudong Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 3 hours
• Total Journey Time = 3 hours

How long does it take from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Hongqiao Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 1 hour 20 mins
• Total Journey Time = 1 hour 20 mins

How long does it take from Shanghai Downtown to Suzhou Downtown?

• Taxi from Hongqiao Airport to Downtown Suzhou = 2 hours 20 mins
• Total Journey Time = 2 hour 20 mins

Travelers who book a private car service in advance will be met by an English speaking driver wherever they wish in Shanghai and travel directly in comfort and style to wherever they need to be in Suzhou.

Advantages:

• Traveling in China is often a daunting and tiring experience for international visitors, so it can come as a source of great relief when you are greeted by a driver who can speak English and takes you in your private car to exactly where you need to go.
   
• Whether traveling alone or in a group, visitors can find a vehicle that suits their needs from one of the many private car services in the Shanghai area. Book a Toyota Hiace for your travel group from Shanghai or travel in style to Suzhou with a Mercedes E-Class. 
   
• When you rent a car in Shanghai to go to Suzhou, you also avoid falling prey to the taxi scams that so many other visitors are victims of. Passengers are also able to talk freely with their English speaking driver, which ensures there are no problems with communication if any changes to the schedule are required.

Disadvantages:

• Renting a car with a driver is one of the more expensive ways to go from Shanghai to Suzhou, but it is also the quickest and least stressful options. By choosing a car rental in Shanghai, you can cut down hours on your travel and avoid the stress of using public transport or risk of taking a taxi.

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