Top 8 China Train Travel Tips You Should Know
Firstly choose high speed trains, then overnight sleeper trains.
High speed trains or bullet trains are fast, comfortable and modern with second class seats, first class seats and business class seats popular among rail travelers, which are mostly cheaper than flights. More and more overnight bullet trains are also put into service, mainly offering sleepers. They depart in the evening and arrive in next morning, recommended to those traveling on a budget as they save the daytime and one-night accommodation costs.
If you plan a travel on traditional style overnight trains, remember to book a sleeper for a good rest.
See more:First Class Seat vs. Second Class Seat on High Speed Trains
Hard Sleeper vs. Soft Sleeper on Normal Trains
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Avoid train travel in China during holidays.
During Chinese holidays, especially Chinese New Year and National Day Holiday, the China rail system always serves more passengers who are traveling or going home from working places or universities. Long queues in ticket offices, waiting halls, even the washing rooms inside the railway stations are common during these peak travel periods.
See more: Train Travel in China during Holidays
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| Long Queue for Boarding in Peak Seasons |
Book the ticket once your travel is planned.
China train tickets can be sold out within minutes of becoming available, especially for hot routes and during peak travel seasons. The tickets are put on sale 15 days prior to departure. The prices in general do not fluctuate.
TravelChinaGuide accepts your orders in spite of the pre-sale period. Just make the order and we will handle the rest for you.
See more:
How to Buy China Train Tickets
Always carry ID certificates such as passports with you.
Check if your ID certificate used for booking China railway tickets is packed in your bag before set-off. It is the only pass for your train travel in China, frequently used when getting into the railway station, boarding check and exiting check.
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| Check-in with Passports through Manual Lane |
Reach the right departure station at least an hour earlier.
Many cities in China have multiple railway stations. Please confirm your departure station and travel route in advance in case of getting lost.
If it is a holiday, get to the station at least 1.5 hours earlier. Boarding usually starts 30 minutes before departure at origin stations and 15 minutes at intermediate stations. One should be prepared for the queues at the entrance for ID-ticket and security check, and also leave some time to find the right waiting hall and boarding gate inside the station.
Passengers carrying large luggage are suggested to queue up for boarding as early as possible so as to get onboard before others, in case there is no space left on the dedicated closet for oversized baggage at the connection of two carriages.
See more:
How to Take the Train in China
China Train Stations
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| Get to Your Station Early |
No need to pick up paper tickets.
Presently, there is no need to collect paper tickets when taking China trains as electronic tickets have been widely adopted. Just bring your passport. If you are afraid of forgetting the train information, print it out in advance.
Bring onboard your own food and drinks.
There are dining carts and dining carriages selling food, snacks, fruits and various drinkings drinks, but the price is usually marked higher than outside. Passengers of business class seats with a travel time of more than 4 hours are usually provided free meals at dining time.
The tap water is undrinkable, but there are water boilers where passengers can fetch hot drinkable water. Disposable cups are provided on high speed trains, but not on normal ones. So a cup is necessary when traveling by normal speed trains in China.
See more:
Facilities on China Trains
Food on China Trains
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Get ready to alight 15 minutes before arrival.
This is especially important for passengers planning to get off at a stopover rather than at the terminal station as the train usually stops for only 2 - 3 minutes at intermediate stations. If you start to pack luggage at the arrival time, you will most likely miss your station.
Safety Advice
2. Umbrellas, selfie sticks and other rod-shaped items are not allowed on the platform and should be packed into your bags.
3. After getting off, do not stay on the platform for too long; you may be asked to leave quickly otherwise.
4. Smoking is prohibited on high speed trains in China, which will incur a penalty. See more: Can I Smoke on China Trains?