Taking trains in China was surprisingly straightforward & a lot easier than I expected. If you’re planning to visit multiple spots in the country, rail travel is an affordable, efficient and scenic option that you should definitely consider.
To help you out, I’ve broken down my experience with getting tickets and being onboard along with some top tips for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
(All of my recent journeys were on the daytime bullet trains in China. There are also a lot of sleeper trains but I haven’t used one since 2010 so I can’t speak for those.)
Trains in China
Tickets
Tickets for trains in China go on sale 60 days prior to departure so you should book online if possible as many of them sell-out.
I used Trip.com and found it incredibly easy to navigate and the prices were the same as they would have been at the station.
You collect your tickets from a different part of the station to where you board the train. There is generally a ticket office adjacent to the main entrance. You will need your ticket to pass through the barriers into the main hall ready for departure.
The queues in the ticket halls can often be quite lengthy but I found ticket collection incredibly easy. I showed a screenshot of my trip.com booking reference and my passport and the tickets were handed back to me immediately.
Ticket Tips:
- Make a screenshot of your trip.com reference in advance, as without Internet you cannot access them within the app.
- Allow at least 30 minutes to wait in the ticket hall queues, and a further 20 to get through security and into the departures hall.
- BRING YOUR PASSPORT. I was unable to take a day trip one day as I left my passport at the hotel. Your passport is a golden ticket in China, you won’t get anywhere without it.
Onboard
Cleanliness
During my seven hour ride a cleaner passed through the mop and disinfectant spray at least four or five times. The seats were clean as were the folding tables. The toilet was also in better condition than some of those in the station.
Efficiency
As with all my encounters with Chinese public transport, the trains almost always ran to schedule. Each bullet train I took arrived and departed exactly on time. I had one issue with a delayed slower train, but they allowed me to board an alternative bullet train because I had to get to the airport! Having faith that the trains are reliable makes planning a complex itinerary a lot less stressful.
Seat allocation
All seats on trains in China are allocated (unless you bought a Standing fare) and you should sit in the respective carriage and seat. Currently on trip.com I did not see a way of selecting a seat however I was lucky enough to get an aisle each time. #TeamAisle
Leg Room / Comfort
The legroom and space on board trains in China was surprisingly impressive. I honestly preferred my seven hour train journey over my seven hour Etihad flight. The leg room is very generous and the generous recliner makes for a rather comfortable ride. There is also a tray table and a power outlet between every 2nd seat.
Catering Services
On-board there is a trolley that passed through and a service window selling snacks and drinks. However, I would recommend that you buy your own in advance for convenience, variety and also cost. A popular choice in China is instant noodle pots and there is boiling water available on the train should you wish to make these.
On Board Tip:
- Pack headphones. Like everywhere in China, the trains can be rather loud. Headphones don’t seem to be a popular choice and so often music is played out load from various seats. Particularly if you’re travelling for a long journey or overnight and wish to get some sleep or get work done, ensure that you pack headphones or earplugs to allow this.
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