Train Types
Chinese trains are divided according to their speed into various classes, identified with different letters and numbers. Passenger trains are numbered by a capital Chinese phonetic letter followed by numerals. The letters refer to different classes of trains: 
Multiple Unit Train
D - Multiple Unit Train. Incorporating high technology, D-trains are the fastest in China. Z - Express Train.
T - High-speed Train.
K - Fast Train.
L - Passenger Extra (Temporary) Train. L-trains run only in peak times, such as the spring festival, golden week and so on.
Y - Tourist Train. Y-trains are for the convenience of tourist and their destinations are the popular sights.
Commuter Train, Accommodation Train, and Local Train have only four numbers without any letters in front.
Note: 1. There is a general decrease in speed, facilities, and service, as well as price, accordingly.
2. It is not advised to take L-trains if you have other options as they are routinely subject to delays.
Spring Festival Rush
The Spring Festival rush, also known as Chunyun, is considered to be the largest annual emigration. It is the special period when China faces the greatest transportation problem, especially on the railway services.
Millions of people working or studying out of their hometowns would be hurrying home to reunite with families as the festival approaches. The rush would always begin 15 days ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year and 25 days after that. As demand for tickets far exceeds supply, it is thus very difficult to get one at this time.
China has adopted various measures to alleviate the problem by, amongst others, extending the working hours of ticket booths and opening up more booths. Police personnel will also be deployed to help ease the situation.
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Travelers' Voices on China Train Types
1.
Nov. 19,2009 14:14 Reply
Ms.WIWIY2006(Afghanistan) said:
Can I buy D-train tickets at train station ticket-window just before taking a train? And how much for the D-tickets from Shanghai to Wuhan?
Nov. 20,2009 03:11
Ms.Thelma(CN) replied:
you'd better to buy in advance, it is hard to guarantee the availability if you buy on the intraday day.
It is RMB345 per person for first class seat and RMB288 for second class seat.
2.
Nov. 13,2009 05:25 Reply
Ms.Ana(Philippines) said:
Good day! Can I ask if western style toilets are available on the T-Type Train? Thank you!
Nov. 14,2009 03:29
Ms.Thelma(CN) replied:
Hi, as far as i know, it's not available on the train in China.
Nov. 19,2009 02:17
Mr.HZW_BJ(China) replied:
The soft sleeper and most hard sleeper have western style toilet. George
3.
Nov. 13,2009 15:22 Reply
Ms.WIWIY2006(Afghanistan) said:
I will arrive in Shanghai on Dec. 16 late evening around 9:30pm. What's latest D-train from Shanghai to Wuhan? Thanks.
Nov. 14,2009 03:27
Ms.Thelma(CN) replied:
The latest D-train is D3014/D3015 1640/2243. The latest Z-train is Z27/Z26 2151/0724 . I'm afraid you can not catch it. You may stay one night in Shanghai and take train D3018/D3019 0950/1600 on the next day.
4.
Nov. 11,2009 04:46 Reply
Ms.nanie(Malaysia) said:
Hi
Any Multiple Unit Train from hangzhou to shanghai?My flight arrive at Hangzhou Airport on 9th jan nite.
Anyone can help me to advice me which train and the fare?
Thanks
Nov. 11,2009 20:55
Mr.Tim(CN) replied:
When will you arrive at Hangzhou airport? The last Multiple Unit Train from Hangzhou to Shanghai is D5556 which departs at 21:31. The train fare is CNY76.
5.
Nov. 11,2009 03:29 Reply
Ms.Nanie(Malaysia) said:
Hi
Any Multiple Unit Train from hangzhou to shanghai?My flight arrive at Hangzhou Airport on 9th jan nite.
Anyone can help me to advice me which train and the fare?
Thanks
6.
Nov. 9,2009 10:45 Reply
Mrs.Laurie(USA) said:
I need to get from Hong kong to guangzhou. My flight doesnt arrive in until 10;55pm so i am not sure if trains travel that late. I would like to take a fast train. CAn you let me know the prices and how i would go about getting a ticket.
thanks,
Laurie
Nov. 10,2009 01:20
Ms.Dorothea(CN) replied:
Maybe that is too late. If i were you, i may stay overnight in Hongkong and leave for Guangzhou in the next morning.
7.
Nov. 5,2009 10:49 Reply
Mr.saurabh(india) said:
is there any train from wenzhou to taizhou (zheijiang )and taizhou to ningbo.
pl advise
Nov. 6,2009 01:19
Ms.Anna Chen (CN) replied:
There are ten D-express trains per day runs from Wenzhou to Taizhou. It takes around 40 minutes and CNY46.00 net per person for the first-class seat and CNY38.00 net per person for the second-class seat. These trains also keep running to Ningbo(around 55 minutes).
8.
Nov. 4,2009 09:45 Reply
Ms.SALMAHMUHD(Singapore) said:
Hi Ms Soo(SG), thank you so much for the info. It helps me with my planning. I appreciate very much. Will you be able to recommend any good hotel in Harbin?
Nov. 4,2009 23:59
Ms.Soo(SG) replied:
I'm glad it helps. I always stay at my newphew's department so i have no idea about hotels. Maybe you can search it online and book through internet. Good Luck!
9.
Nov. 3,2009 07:39 Reply
Ms.SALMAHMUHD(Singapore) said:
Oops, I meant to ask from Beijing to Harbin. Is there any direct train from Beijing to Harbin on 3 Jan, how much and how long is the journey. I just thought I want to try other mode of transportation instead of by flight.
Thank you.
Nov. 4,2009 00:12
Ms.Soo(SG) replied:
Yes. There are many trains from Beijing to Harbin. If you want to travel by day, I suggest you take train D25 0715/1519 or D27 1350/2157, the soft seat tickets cost 351RMB/ticket. If you take night train, you can choose Z15 or T17, both depart around 21:30 and arrive at Harbin in the early morning, cost at 429RMB for soft sleeper ticket.
10.
Nov. 1,2009 03:48 Reply
Ms.SALMAHMUHD(Singapore) said:
Hi, Is there D or T train to Harbin and how much?
Nov. 2,2009 01:33
Ms.Alice(United Kingdom) replied:
From which city?