Qiang Huang
What's Inside
Let me paint you a scene. It's 2 PM, I'm waiting at Jiaxing South Railway Station for a client who just landed in Shanghai. She texted me: "I thought Jiaxing had an airport? Google Maps showed it..." — Nope, that little dot on the map is actually a military airfield, not for commercial flights. She'd booked a flight to Shanghai Pudong thinking it was closest, but ended up spending three hours on a bus. I could've saved her that headache.
Here's the straight truth: Jiaxing does not have a commercial airport. You'll fly into one of three major hubs — Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), or Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) — then take a train or bus to Jiaxing. In this guide, I'll break down exactly which airport works best for your itinerary, how to transfer, and what to avoid. I've guided dozens of foreign travelers through this route, so trust me—I've seen the confusion firsthand.
The Hard Truth: Jiaxing Has No Commercial Airport
This is the #1 mistake I see. Many online travel sites still list "Jiaxing Airport" (ICAO: ZSJN), but it's a military airbase. No scheduled passenger flights. If you search for flights to Jiaxing on Google Flights, you'll actually get results pointing to Shanghai or Hangzhou — because those are the nearest options. The distance from Jiaxing city center to:
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG): ~110 km (68 miles) — about 1.5–2 hours by train or car
- Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA): ~90 km (56 miles) — about 1 hour by high-speed train
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH): ~90 km (56 miles) — about 1 hour by high-speed train
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
It depends on where you're coming from and your budget. Let me walk you through each option and give you my honest take.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — The Big International Hub
PVG handles most long-haul international flights. If you're flying from the US, Europe, or Australia, chances are you'll land here. But here's the catch: PVG is far east of Shanghai, and getting to Jiaxing requires either a 1.5-hour taxi (expensive) or a combination of maglev/metro + high-speed train. The direct airport bus to Jiaxing runs only 4 times a day and takes 2+ hours in traffic. Honestly, unless your flight only goes to PVG, I'd avoid this option.
Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) — The Efficient Choice
This is my personal recommendation for most travelers. Hongqiao Airport is connected directly to Hongqiao Railway Station (walking distance, indoor connection). High-speed trains to Jiaxing South depart every 15–30 minutes, taking only 30–40 minutes. Plus, SHA handles many domestic and regional international flights (Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia). If you can book a flight to SHA instead of PVG, do it.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) — The Alternative
Hangzhou airport is about the same distance as Hongqiao, but the transfer is less straightforward. You'll need to take an airport shuttle or taxi to Hangzhou East Railway Station (30–40 minutes), then a high-speed train to Jiaxing South (about 30 minutes). Total time: roughly 1.5 hours. It's a solid fallback if flights to Hangzhou are cheaper. Also, if you plan to visit Hangzhou's West Lake first, this is your best bet.
Airport Comparison Table
| Airport | Train Connection | Total Transfer Time to Jiaxing | Estimated Cost (1 person) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | Direct high-speed rail from Hongqiao Station | ~1 hour (incl. waiting) | ¥50–80 (train) | Fastest & easiest |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH) | Shuttle to Hangzhou East, then train | ~1.5 hours | ¥80–120 (shuttle+train) | Budget & West Lake combo |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Metro/Maglev to Hongqiao, then train | ~2 hours | ¥100–150 (all transit) | Only if no SHA/HGH option |
From Shanghai to Jiaxing: Step-by-Step (My Go-To Route)
Let's assume you land at Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA). Here's exactly what to do:
- Follow signs to Hongqiao Railway Station. It's connected to Terminal 2 via a 10-minute indoor walkway. Don't exit the building!
- Buy a ticket to Jiaxing South (嘉兴南). Use the self-service machines with passport (they have English interface) or go to the counter. The fastest trains are G-series (30–40 min). Avoid K-series which take 1.5 hours.
- Board the train. Platform numbers are displayed 15 minutes before departure. Keep your passport handy for ticket checks.
- Arrive at Jiaxing South. This station is modern with English signs. From here, you can take a taxi or Didi (Chinese Uber) to your hotel — most hotels in the city center are 15–20 minutes away.
From Hangzhou to Jiaxing: Quick & Easy
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) is about 30 km from Hangzhou East Station. Here's the drill:
- Airport shuttle bus to Hangzhou East (¥20, 40 min). Buses run every 30 minutes.
- Buy a high-speed train ticket to Jiaxing South (¥40–50, 30–35 minutes). Trains are frequent.
- Total journey: ~1.5 hours, but could stretch to 2 hours if you hit traffic.
One thing I always warn my clients: don't take a taxi directly from Hangzhou airport to Jiaxing. It'll cost ¥300–500 and takes the same time as the train. Not worth it unless you have a group of 3+.
Booking Flights & Transfers: Insider Advice
How to Book Flights to Jiaxing (Indirectly)
Since you can't book "Jiaxing" as a destination, search for flights to Shanghai (SHA preferred) or Hangzhou (HGH). Use sites like Trip.com (they have English and accept international cards) or Skyscanner. I recommend booking a single ticket to SHA, then separately buying a high-speed train ticket via Trip.com or 12306.cn (China's official railway site, but the English interface can be buggy). If you're not comfortable with 12306, just buy the train ticket at the station when you arrive — it's almost never sold out for Jiaxing.
Payment & Connectivity
You'll need Alipay or WeChat Pay for most things, but train tickets can be bought with cash or international credit cards at counters. Important: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Download Apple Maps (it works with local data) or AMap (Gaode) — but Gaode is Chinese-only. For navigation, I use Apple Maps with the address typed in Chinese. For taxis, show the driver the Chinese name: 嘉兴南站 (Jiaxing South Station) or your hotel name in Chinese.
Pro Tip for Visa-Free Transit
If you're transiting through Shanghai for less than 144 hours (6 days), you can use Shanghai's 144-hour visa-free transit policy. This applies if you fly into PVG or SHA and then travel to Jiaxing (which is within the permitted area of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang). But check the latest rules — it's for citizens of 53 countries. If you qualify, you don't need a tourist visa for a short trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Absolutely brilliant! I was dreading the logistics of getting to Jiaxing from the US, but this article laid it all out so simply. Used the Shanghai Hongqiao + high-speed rail combo exactly as suggested, and I was in my hotel in Jiaxing 4 hours after landing. The trick to avoid the taxi scammers outside the airport by taking the metro one stop to the train station was pure genius. Saved me money and hassle. Deserves all the stars!
I’ve been to Jiaxing twice now, and this guide is exactly what I wish I had the first time. The comparison of Shanghai Pudong vs. Hongqiao vs. Hangzhou is super clear. I chose Hangzhou this trip because of the cheaper flights and the direct bus tip—it dropped me right near the water town. The bus was clean, cheap, and the driver even helped with luggage. 10/10 transfer advice.
This article is a lifesaver! I’m not a seasoned traveler, and the step-by-step breakdown of flying into Shanghai Hongqiao and then taking the bullet train to Jiaxing made my trip stress-free. The tip about buying train tickets on WeChat ahead of time saved me from a long queue. My whole journey felt seamless. Highly recommend to anyone heading to Jiaxing!
Pretty helpful overall! The list of nearest airports saved me from booking a more expensive flight to Shanghai. I went with Hangzhou Xiaoshan instead, and the transfer tips were spot-on for the subway to East Station. Only wish there was more detail about taxi options at night—I arrived late and struggled a bit. But for daytime arrivals, this guide is gold.
Honestly, the article was okay but felt a bit generic. I followed the tip to fly into Shanghai Pudong and take the high-speed rail, but the transfer info on the ground was misleading—the shuttle from the airport to the Hongqiao station took way longer than advertised. Missed my connection by 10 minutes. Could've used a heads-up about that. Still got to Jiaxing eventually, but not a smooth start.