China Train Tickets Booking, Seat Type: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, Soft Seat, Hard Seat

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China Train Ticket Types

Real-Name Train Ticket Policy
The real-name train ticket policy applies to all trains in China since January 1, 2012. This policy is taken to relieve the difficulty in buying train tickets and effectively stop scalpers who profit a lot in trading train tickets especially during the Spring Festival travel rush every year. Passengers now need to show a valid ID certificate (Chinese citizen ID card, passport, etc) when buying a train ticket and getting on the train. See details of Real-Name Train Ticket Policy.
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China train ticket price varies according to the standard you require. There are seven types of train tickets available:

• First Class Seat – These are only available on a CRH (Chinese Railway High-Speed) series EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) trains. The seats are roomy and comfortable, four of which are set in a row.

First Class Seat (4 seats in a row)

Second Class Seat (5 seats in a row)

• Second Class Seat – These are also available on a CRH series EMU trains. The seats are not as soft as the first class seats, but still comfortable for sitting. There are five seats per row, each of which is equipped with a folding table.

• Luxury Soft Sleeper – This is the top level sleeper and the most expensive ticket on a train but only equipped by a few of trains. There are only two comfortable bunks in a compartment, which is equipped with an independent toilet, sofa, tea table, TV and some other facilities equal to a soft sleeper.

Soft Sleeper

Sleeper Exchange Card

• Soft Sleeper - These are private compartments which are fitted out to a higher standard. Each compartment has four bunks - two upper and two lower. A door separate the compartment from the aisle to keep quiet and comfort. Quality bedding and pillows are provided. Each bunk is equipped with a small reading lamp. Temperature controls are installed alongside the door. Generally speaking, the facilities include a clothes rack, slippers, clothes brush, stainless steel thermos, fine porcelain teacup, a trash can and wall socket. Some of the trains may have a squat-style toilet together with a supply of toilet paper. The price is a little higher than the other kinds of seats.

Hard Sleeper

• Hard Sleeper - The so-called hard sleeper is generally less comfortable than the soft sleeper. The compartments are open and comprise six fixed bunks, arranged as an upper, middle and lower on either side. Basic bedding such as sheets, pillow slips, blankets and pillows are provided. The space tends to be cramped and inclined to be noisy at times. However, if you are obliged to take an overnight train trip, the hard berth is highly cost effective.

For those who hold a sleeper ticket, the ticket should be handed in when getting on the train. The train conductor will keep the ticket for you and give you a card as a certificate instead. After you reach your destination, you need to change your ticket back. If there is still no passenger in a sleeper an hour after the train has started, the train conductor has the right to sell the berth to other passengers.

• Soft Seat - There are no bunks for sleeping, just a nice, comfortable cushioned seat. The carriages are clean and roomy.

• Hard Seat - This is the basic way to take a train trip, and has the lowest price. As the name implies it can be something of an ordeal, especially for a long or an overnight journey. The seat is less soft, roomy and comfortable than a soft seat. The carriages are always noisy and crowded with people, especially during peak times or the high travel season on the most popular railway routes. Usually, people holding standing-room-only tickets are arranged to stand along the aisles of hard-seat carriages. The toilets are usually unclean and cramped (only 1.2 square yards) and no toilet paper is supplied. For the adventurous or maybe just a short daytime journey this is acceptable as it is a wonderful way to experience something of the timelessness of the real China and its people.

Soft Seat

Hard Seat