How to go to Sanya by train from Shanghai? Cheapest route.

Take a train to Haikou from Shanghai South Railway Station (about 34 hours). The train departs at 20:17 every day. You need to pay CNY 325.5 for a hard seat; CNY 575.5 for a hard sleeper; CNY 973.5 for a soft sleeper. Upon arrival, take a bullet train to SY (about 2 hours). You need to pay CNY 89.5 for a second class seat; CNY 107.5 for a first class seat.

Or directly fly there and it only takes around 3.5h. In slack season, you can get great rebate on the air ticket which shall save you much money as well.