Getting There and Away

Written by Alexander Kopp, Wei Li
18/08/2025
Picturesque moon bridge and canal reflection in Suzhou at dusk depicting urban tranquility.
Budi jainal Mutaqin, Pexels

Suzhou is well-connected through its various railway and bus stations, serving as key transport hubs for regional and national travel. The city's main railway stations include Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Railway Station, which handle frequent high-speed train services. For bus travel, prominent stations such as Suzhou South Gate Long-Distance Bus Station, Suzhou North Long-Distance Bus Station, and Suzhou West Station provide extensive routes.

By Air:

Suzhou does not have its own major civilian airport; therefore, travelers typically use Shanghai's airports. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is approximately 86-90 km from central Suzhou, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is about 150 km away. From Hongqiao Airport, one can take a bullet train to Suzhou, which takes around 30 minutes. From Pudong Airport, direct airport buses to Suzhou take approximately 3 hours, or one can take the metro to Shanghai Railway Station or Hongqiao Railway Station for a train connection to Suzhou.

By Train (from Shanghai):

High-speed trains are a popular and efficient way to travel between Shanghai and Suzhou. Over 200 high-speed trains run daily, with journeys lasting about 20-45 minutes. Fares for a second-class seat typically range from CNY 21-64 (approximately USD 3-9). Trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Railway Station, arriving at Suzhou Railway Station or Suzhou North Railway Station. Normal trains are also available, taking 1-1.5 hours and costing around CNY 14.5-16.5.

By Train (from Hangzhou):

High-speed trains from Hangzhou East to Suzhou Station or Suzhou North offer a travel time of about 1.5-2 hours. Ticket prices for these services generally range from CNY 90-190 (approximately USD 22-58). Normal speed trains are also an option, taking around 3-5.5 hours and costing about CNY 40.5-43.5.

By Bus (from Shanghai):

Long-distance buses provide a direct connection between Shanghai and Suzhou, with a travel time of about 1.5-2 hours. Fares can range from CNY 50-130. Services are available from various bus stations in Shanghai, including those at Hongqiao Airport and Pudong Airport.

By Bus (from Hangzhou):

Buses from Hangzhou to Suzhou typically take around 2-2.5 hours, with fares ranging from CNY 69-85.

By Metro (from Shanghai):

For an interconnected journey, Shanghai Metro Line 11 links with Suzhou Rail Transit Line 11. This route can take over 3 hours and costs approximately CNY 20.

Check out our other pages on Suzhou

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