Tokyo to Beijing by train
Travel from Tokyo (Japan) to Beijing (China) by train (2101km): schedule and information to the train connection. Compare fares and buy your ticket.
To travel by train and ferry from Tokyo in Japan to Beijing in China, the main route leads via South Korea. Please read the following information and blog posts.
There are three different travel routes. Have a look on them and decide which one fits best for you.
- 1Tokyo (Japan) - Shimonoseki (Japan) - Busan (South Korea) - Incheon (South Korea) - Qingdao (China) - Beijing (China)
- 2Tokyo (Japan) - Sakaiminato (Japan) - Donghae (South Korea) - Incheon (South Korea) - Qingdao (China) - Beijing (China)
- 3Tokyo (Japan) - Osaka (Japan) - Shanghai (China) - Beijing (China)
2101 km
How to use the following information: we show you the best routes and where to buy tickets. On longer routes you may need more than one ticket. Book your tickets step by step as explained. If you have questions about the route from Tokyo to Beijing, please ask in our forum. Of course, sometimes there are as well other travel routes possible.
The following links could be interesting for you.
train connections : popular connections travelled by other users
Beijing - Tokyo / Tokyo - Shanghai / Tokyo - Wuhan / Osaka - Beijing / Osaka - Shanghai / Osaka - Wuhan / Yokohama - Beijing / Yokohama - Shanghai / Yokohama - Wuhan / Hiroshima - Beijing1 Tokyo (Japan) - Shimonoseki (Japan) - Busan (South Korea) - Incheon (South Korea) - Qingdao (China) - Beijing (China)
The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.
1a Travelling from Tokyo (Japan) to Shimonoseki (Japan)
To travel in Japan by train, buy your ticket via the given booking links. It is also possible to buy your train ticket at a railway station at ticket machines (English language version available). Due to the dense and frequent network in Japan, you will always get a seat at short notice. Another good option to travel in Japan by train the easy and relaxed way is the "Japan Rail Pass".
Where to buy a ticket from Tokyo to Shimonoseki?
Check times&prices 
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Tōkaidō Shinkansen - 東海道新幹線 (TOKASHIN)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Vladivostok - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Vladivostok / Donghae - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Donghae
train company:
JRHOK JR Hokkaidō - JR北海道 / JREAST JR East - JR東日本 / JRCEN JR Central - JR東海 / JRWEST JR West - JR西日本 / JRSHI JR Shikoku - JR四国 / JRKYU JR Kyūshū - JR九州
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Shimonoseki - Tokyo / Tokyo - Kyoto / Tokyo - Osaka / Tokyo - Yokohama / Tokyo - Fuji / Tokyo - Nagasaki / Tokyo - Fuji / Kyoto - Yokohama / Osaka - Kyoto / Yokohama - Kyoto / Fuji - Hiroshima
1b Travelling from Shimonoseki (Japan) to Busan (South Korea)
To travel from Japan to South Korea you have to use trains and as well to include one ferry crossing.
Travel first by train to Osaka (Japan). From Osaka take the ferry to Busan (South Korea). From Busan continue by train to your travel destination in South-Korea.
Find exact train and ferry schedules and all ticket fares via the given booking websites.
Where to buy a ticket from Shimonoseki to Busan?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Korea Train eXpress (KTX)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Sakaiminato - Donghae / Shimonoseki - Busan
train company:
KOR 한국철도공사 / JRWEST JR West - JR西日本 / DBSCF DBS Cruise Ferry / KAMPU Kampu Ferry
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Busan - Shimonoseki / Sakaiminato - Donghae / Tokyo - Seoul / Tokyo - Busan / Tokyo - Daegu / Osaka - Seoul / Osaka - Busan / Yokohama - Seoul / Yokohama - Busan / Fukuyama - Seoul
1c Travelling from Busan (South Korea) to Incheon (South Korea)
To travel by train in South Korea, buy your train tickets via the given booking links or at a train station.
If no train connection is available, use one of the frequent bus connections.
Find ticket prices (train, bus and flight) and schedules via the given booking links.
Where to buy a ticket from Busan to Incheon?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Korea Train eXpress (KTX)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Vladivostok - Donghae / Donghae - Vladivostok / Donghae - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Donghae
train company:
KOR 한국철도공사
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Incheon - Busan / Seoul - Busan / Busan - Donghae / Seoul - Donghae
1d Travelling from Incheon (South Korea) to Qingdao (China)
Travel from South Korea to China by train, including the ferry from Incheon (South Korea) to Qingdao (China). The daily ferry connection has a journey time of 17 hours. Ferry tickets are available from 120.000 KRW (90 EUR).
The cities of Incheon and Qingdao are both well connected to the national railway networks.
Where to buy a ticket from Incheon to Qingdao?
Buy the ticket for the ferry directly at the ferry terminal or at the website of the ferry company.
The following links could be interesting for you.
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Incheon - Qingdao
train company:
WEIDONG Weidong Ferry
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Qingdao - Incheon / Seoul - Beijing / Seoul - Shanghai / Seoul - Wuhan / Busan - Beijing / Seoul - Shanghai / Seoul - Wuhan
1e Travelling from Qingdao (China) to Beijing (China)
To travel in China by train, we recommend to buy your train ticket online via one of the given booking links. There you get schedules and ticket prices. It is the easiest way if you do not speak the Chinese language. In China you have frequent high-speed train connections. If you want to travel cheaper, but slower, buy a ticket for one of the standard trains. Also available are several night train connections. Trains can be very full at peak travel times.
Where to buy a ticket from Qingdao to Beijing?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
China Railway High-speed (CRH)
night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip.
020 Moscow - Beijing / 019 Beijing - Moscow
train company:
CNR 中国铁路总公司
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Beijing - Qingdao / Beijing - Guangzhou / Beijing - Hong Kong / Beijing - Shanghai / Beijing - Wuhan / Hong Kong - Shanghai / Hong Kong - Beijing / Hong Kong - Wuhan / Shanghai - Beijing / Shanghai - Hong Kong / Shanghai - Wuhan
2 Tokyo (Japan) - Sakaiminato (Japan) - Donghae (South Korea) - Incheon (South Korea) - Qingdao (China) - Beijing (China)
The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.
2a Travelling from Tokyo (Japan) to Sakaiminato (Japan)
To travel in Japan by train, buy your ticket via the given booking links. It is also possible to buy your train ticket at a railway station at ticket machines (English language version available). Due to the dense and frequent network in Japan, you will always get a seat at short notice. Another good option to travel in Japan by train the easy and relaxed way is the "Japan Rail Pass".
Where to buy a ticket from Tokyo to Sakaiminato?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Tōkaidō Shinkansen - 東海道新幹線 (TOKASHIN)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Vladivostok - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Vladivostok / Donghae - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Donghae
train company:
JRHOK JR Hokkaidō - JR北海道 / JREAST JR East - JR東日本 / JRCEN JR Central - JR東海 / JRWEST JR West - JR西日本 / JRSHI JR Shikoku - JR四国 / JRKYU JR Kyūshū - JR九州
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Sakaiminato - Tokyo / Tokyo - Kyoto / Tokyo - Osaka / Tokyo - Yokohama / Tokyo - Fuji / Tokyo - Nagasaki / Tokyo - Fuji / Kyoto - Yokohama / Osaka - Kyoto / Yokohama - Kyoto / Fuji - Hiroshima
2b Travelling from Sakaiminato (Japan) to Donghae (South Korea)
Travel from Sakaiminato to Donghae by ferry. The journey time is 15 hours with two nights on board. Ferry tickets start from 190 EUR including extra fees like port tax.
Book the ticket in advance via given booking websites. The more expensive category "beds" means you get a really comfortable bed with privacy curtain. All is clean and nice, like you expect it from Japan.
Sockets are not available. You have to ask the staff and pay for it. The little shop only sells snacks. Charge your mobile phone in advance and get some noodle packets with you, as you get boiled cold and hot water for free. Of course there is a restaurant on board as well, but it is rather expensive.
Where to buy a ticket from Sakaiminato to Donghae?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Donghae - Sakaiminato
2c Travelling from Donghae (South Korea) to Incheon (South Korea)
To travel by train in South Korea, buy your train tickets via the given booking links or at a train station.
If no train connection is available, use one of the frequent bus connections.
Find ticket prices (train, bus and flight) and schedules via the given booking links.
Where to buy a ticket from Donghae to Incheon?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Korea Train eXpress (KTX)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Vladivostok - Donghae / Donghae - Vladivostok / Donghae - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Donghae
train company:
KOR 한국철도공사
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Incheon - Donghae / Seoul - Busan / Busan - Donghae / Seoul - Donghae
2d Travelling from Incheon (South Korea) to Qingdao (China)
Travel from South Korea to China by train, including the ferry from Incheon (South Korea) to Qingdao (China). The daily ferry connection has a journey time of 17 hours. Ferry tickets are available from 120.000 KRW (90 EUR).
The cities of Incheon and Qingdao are both well connected to the national railway networks.
Where to buy a ticket from Incheon to Qingdao?
Buy the ticket for the ferry directly at the ferry terminal or at the website of the ferry company.
The following links could be interesting for you.
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Incheon - Qingdao
train company:
WEIDONG Weidong Ferry
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Qingdao - Incheon / Seoul - Beijing / Seoul - Shanghai / Seoul - Wuhan / Busan - Beijing / Seoul - Shanghai / Seoul - Wuhan
2e Travelling from Qingdao (China) to Beijing (China)
To travel in China by train, we recommend to buy your train ticket online via one of the given booking links. There you get schedules and ticket prices. It is the easiest way if you do not speak the Chinese language. In China you have frequent high-speed train connections. If you want to travel cheaper, but slower, buy a ticket for one of the standard trains. Also available are several night train connections. Trains can be very full at peak travel times.
Where to buy a ticket from Qingdao to Beijing?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
China Railway High-speed (CRH)
night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip.
020 Moscow - Beijing / 019 Beijing - Moscow
train company:
CNR 中国铁路总公司
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Beijing - Qingdao / Beijing - Guangzhou / Beijing - Hong Kong / Beijing - Shanghai / Beijing - Wuhan / Hong Kong - Shanghai / Hong Kong - Beijing / Hong Kong - Wuhan / Shanghai - Beijing / Shanghai - Hong Kong / Shanghai - Wuhan
3 Tokyo (Japan) - Osaka (Japan) - Shanghai (China) - Beijing (China)
The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.
3a Travelling from Tokyo (Japan) to Osaka (Japan)
To travel in Japan by train, buy your ticket via the given booking links. It is also possible to buy your train ticket at a railway station at ticket machines (English language version available). Due to the dense and frequent network in Japan, you will always get a seat at short notice. Another good option to travel in Japan by train the easy and relaxed way is the "Japan Rail Pass".
Where to buy a ticket from Tokyo to Osaka?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
Tōkaidō Shinkansen - 東海道新幹線 (TOKASHIN)
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Vladivostok - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Vladivostok / Donghae - Sakaiminato / Sakaiminato - Donghae
train company:
JRHOK JR Hokkaidō - JR北海道 / JREAST JR East - JR東日本 / JRCEN JR Central - JR東海 / JRWEST JR West - JR西日本 / JRSHI JR Shikoku - JR四国 / JRKYU JR Kyūshū - JR九州
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Osaka - Tokyo / Tokyo - Kyoto / Tokyo - Yokohama / Tokyo - Fuji / Tokyo - Nagasaki / Tokyo - Fuji / Kyoto - Yokohama / Osaka - Kyoto / Yokohama - Kyoto / Fuji - Hiroshima
3b Travelling from Osaka (Japan) to Shanghai (China)
Travel from Japan to China includes trains and one ferry crossing.
First travel by train to Osaka (Japan). From Osaka take the ferry to Shanghai (China) and continue by train to your travel destination.
You can as well travel from Osaka by ferry to Busan (South-Korea). From Busan continue by train to Incheon. There you change to the ferry connection Incheon to Qingdao (China), from where you continue by train to your travel destination in China.
Find exact train and ferry schedules and all ticket fares via the given booking websites.
Where to buy a ticket from Osaka to Shanghai?
Buy the ticket for the ferry directly at the ferry terminal or at the website of the ferry company.
The following links could be interesting for you.
ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful.
Shimonoseki - Busan / Incheon - Qingdao / Osaka - Shanghai
train company:
SHFY Shanghai Ferry
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Shanghai - Osaka / Tokyo - Beijing / Tokyo - Chengdu / Tokyo - Hong Kong / Tokyo - Shanghai / Nagano - Beijing / Osaka - Beijing / Osaka - Hong Kong / Yokohama - Beijing / Yokohama - Hong Kong
3c Travelling from Shanghai (China) to Beijing (China)
Travel from Shanghai to Beijing by high-speed-train. The journey time is 4:30 hours. The train ticket prices start from 65 EUR (500 CNY). There are at least 35 direct train connections per day. The departure station is Shanghai Hongqiao. The arrival station is Beijing Nan (South).
The high-speed-trains offer the following service classes:
- 2nd class seats: 5 seats in a row (3+2). Power outlet available. The seat width is 43 cm. The ticket fares start from 65 EUR (500 CNY).
- 1st class seats: 4 seats in a row (2+2). Power outlet available. Small foldable table. Reclining seats with pillows. The seat width is 47 cm. The ticket fares start from 100 EUR (775 CNY).
- Business class: 3 seats in a row (2+1). Fully-reclining seat which can be used as bed. Power outlet. Flat screen TV. Luxurious and comfortable. The ticket fares start from 200 EUR (1550 CNY).
Beside the high-speed-trains there are overnight trains available with a journey time of 14 hours. The ticket prices start from 20 EUR (150 CNY). These overnight trains offer the following service classes:
- standard seat: this is the cheapest way of travel. 5 seats in a row (3+2). Often the train coaches are overcrowded. The ticket fares start from 20 EUR (150 CNY).
- 2nd class sleeper with open compartments. Six berths per compartment, three berths on each side. A pillow, sheet and covered blanket is included. The berth width is 60 cm. The ticket fares start from 40 EUR (300 CNY).
- 1st class sleeper: more comfortable beds with a maximum of four per cabin. Power outlet available. The new overnight trains offer each bed as private compartment with window. The ticket fares start from 65 EUR (500 CNY).
Find the exact train schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.
Where to buy a ticket from Shanghai to Beijing?
The following links could be interesting for you.
train types: Train types you are likely to travel with.
China Railway High-speed (CRH)
train connections: popular connections travelled by other users
Beijing - Shanghai
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