China Train Travel - A Beginner’s Guide

Generally, there are two kinds of trains running in China: 

2. Traditional style trains are numbered as Z/T/K/Y/L or just digits. The fastest Z trains only have a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph), so they are not as popular as the high speed ones. But those running overnight are popular among budget travelers. Most are equipped with sleepers.

More Bullet Train Pictures(35)

More Normal Train Pictures(62)

 More China Train Pictures

 

You can easily check the real-time train schedule by entering the departure city, destination and date even if you are a beginner. The search results are in English; carefully pick one meeting your China train travel demands.  

 

How to Choose China Train Ticket Types

On high speed trains, second class seats are the cheapest; first class seats come second. Business class coach is particularly spacious, whose seats can be adjusted to a horizontal position for lying down, comparable to that of business class on an airplane. Accordingly, its ticket price is the highest.

If taking an overnight train, sleepers are recommended. You can choose from compartments with 6, 4 and 2 berths based on your budget. The fewer the berths in the compartment, the more expensive the tickets are.

Second Class Carriage on Bullet Trains

Second Class Sleepers on High Speed Trains

 

How to Buy China Train Tickets

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There are several ways to buy a China train ticket: buy from the railway stations or ticket outlets, book on the official website of China Railway Corporation, or call the hotline… However, considering the language barrier, the most convenient way for a beginner is to purchase it from a reliable agency like TravelChinaGuide. 
 

1. China Railway adopts real-time policy, and your ID certificate, like the passport, is needed for ticket purchase.

2. If booking China train tickets online, one will get an e-ticket and there is no need to collect the paper ticket. Passengers can enter the station and get onboard with the passport used for booking.

3. If purchasing at railway stations or ticket outlets on your own, learn some Chinese phrases for train travel. Not all railway staff speak English. 

4. To guarantee a smooth a trip, you are strongly advised to book the ticket in advance, especially when traveling by China train during holidays. The tickets are available 15 days prior. 

Security Check before Getting into the Station

Food Trolley on Trains

b. Take some food and drinks; or buy them onboard at a higher price.  See Food on China Trains

c. Take some toilet paper; it's available only on high speed trains and sometimes runs out quickly.  Check facilities on China trains to see if you need to pack more.

Pets, excluding guide dogs, are not allowed on China trains. The same is true of long rod-shaped items and bicycles unless they are packed with hard materials as a piece of luggage.  See more China Train Baggage Allowance 
 

Including that from your hotel to the departure station and from arrival station to the next hotel. Calculate the time needed on the way, especially that from your hotel to the departure station. 
 

This will help you find the entrance, waiting hall, platform and exit more easily.

 Video of How to Take China Train

1. Arrive at the correct railway station 1.5 hours earlier than your departure time;

2. Go through passport check and security check at the entrance;

4. Boarding check;

6. Find your carriage and get onboard;

8. Enjoy the trip; 

9. Upon arrival, follow the signs to the exit. 
 

In seat class carriages, luggage racks are usually set above the seats on each side of coaches. For large items, you can put them on the closets at the connection of two carriages. In sleeper coaches, luggage racks can be found above the corridor or the door in each compartment.  See detailed Luggage Space

Q: Do I need to pick up the paper ticket？
A: No. E-tickets are extensively used at all railway stations in China. Just bring your passport to go through the manual lane for getting into the station and check-in as well as check-out. If not confident about your memory, just write down or print out the ticket information in advance. 

Q: What if I cannot make the trip after buying the ticket?
A: You can refund the ticket or change the ticket to another departure day. A service fee may be charged. Usually, the earlier you submit the refund/ change, the less you lose. 

Q: What to do if I miss my train?
A: If you get late and miss your train by accident, change your ticket at the ticket window to catch another one departing later. If you go directly to the boarding gate of another train without changing ticket, you will be blocked.

Q: What if I miss my stop on the train?
A: Get off at the next station and explain the situation to the staff. Show your passport, and then you will be arranged for the closest train to return to your original stop free of charge.

Q: What if I lost my luggage when taking the train?
A: If you find your luggage is lost when you are still at the railway station, find the inquiry center, show your ID documents to the staff, and tell them when and where it was lost. 

If you have already left the train station, call the station as soon as possible. The staff will contact you when your luggage is found.

Q: Is there any special service for those disabled or traveling with infants?
A: For people in need including the disabled, the elderly, those traveling with children and more, a special service is provided at major railway stations, by which they can get tools to aid action such as wheelchairs and crutches and take the train with the help of dedicated staff. If needed, contact the railway station to reserve the service in advance.