The train is a very good way to travel in China
Indeed, the extensive rail network, built over the past ten years, makes it easy to connect all cities. The stations are similar to those in Western Europe, and the signs are quite clear.
Tickets can be purchased online and collected at the ticket office simply by showing your passport. There are options for all price ranges and comfort levels.
One of the most convenient aspects of traveling by train is that you can travel overnight. A night on the train will save you a night in a hotel, money, and travel time, as the distances between the places you want to visit in China are considerable.
Many trains are equipped for overnight travel. You can choose between hard, soft, or luxury berths.
Soft berths are closed boxes with four bunks. They offer excellent value for money. Hard berths are in a car with six open boxes; there’s a bit more room for two, but they’re comfortable and fairly affordable (blankets and pillows provided).
China’s high-speed trains, or TGVs, are modern, fast, and comfortable. The lines only connect major cities, so stops are infrequent and the journey is faster. They reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.
Train schedules are the same every day. Trains generally run on time.
Bookings can be made up to 60 days prior to departure. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during national holidays.
It is best to arrive at the station 1.5 hours in advance. You will need to go through security to enter the station and then head to the Ticket Office to collect your tickets by showing your passport. Then, your train will be displayed on the large display board that you cannot miss, just like in French stations. It will indicate which level/floor your platform is on; there are generally two levels. Once on the right floor, all you have to do is find your platform and wait until it opens. Don’t hesitate to ask the station employees for advice, show them your ticket, they will help you.
Very practical: Public places are always equipped with boiled and hot water (the only running drinking water in China). Trains are also equipped with a hot water fountain. For long journeys, the Chinese plan to bring their bowl of instant noodles (which they call practical noodles!), they then just fill the bowl with hot water, wait ten minutes, and they have a piping hot meal for the journey. You can find these bowls of noodles everywhere, especially around the station for 1 or 2 euros (taste the spice sachets before mixing them, some are quite strong).
Train type and classes
While there are still some slow trains operating, particularly on very long journeys, the majority of daytime and even nighttime trains are now fast trains, the equivalent of the TGV in France. Depending on the train, there are different classes, whether for seats or berths.
The different types of trains in China – fast or slow
Category G fast trains
The train number begins with the letter G (for example G311), these are the fastest trains and mostly daytime trains. They are often found between major cities, such as the Beijing-Shanghai route (for example G5 / 07:00-11:40 OR G43 / 14:05-19:43), but also Beijing-Xi’an or Shanghai-Hangzhou…
These are very modern, comfortable, and well-equipped trains (especially with electrical outlets). This category of train offers three types of class: second, first, and business.
Fast trains of categories C & D
The train number begins with the letter C or D (for example, D1870). These are fast trains but slower than G-class trains. Some run during the day and offer seating only. Others run at night and offer berths and second-class seating, such as train D308 / 19:35-06:20, which runs between Xi’an and Shanghai.
These are modern trains where sleeping is more comfortable than on slow trains. Daytime category C & D trains offer the same three types of classes as category G trains: second, first, and business. Nighttime category C & D trains also offer three types of classes: second class, second sleeper class, and first sleeper class.
Slow trains of category Z
The train number begins with the letter Z. Less modern than express trains, they can be a good alternative for long-distance travel, especially at night. While it will take barely 12 hours for category D trains to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, it will take more than 14 hours for category Z trains. For example, Z281 / 19:10-09:54 between Beijing and Shanghai. This train category offers 3 class categories: “hard” seat (second class seating), “hard” couchette (second class berth) and “soft” couchette (first class berth).
Slow trains of categories K and T
The train number begins with the letter K or T. Older than the slow Z category trains, they are also slower and less modern. A great alternative for those on a budget who want to travel differently. This is the case, for example, of the K45 / 10:38-07:32 train running between Beijing and Huangshan. Here again, there are 3 class categories: “hard” seat (second class seating), “hard” sleeper (second class sleeper), and “soft” sleeper (first class sleeper).
The different types of classes
Second class seat
For fast trains, the second class consists of rows of 5 seats, 2 seats on one side and 3 seats on the other. Each row has a number and each seat has a letter: A, B, C and D, F. Each seat will therefore have a number and a letter, for example 7A, 16F or 23B… C and D are the seats located on the aisle side and are also the seats that provide an electrical outlet, A and F are the window seats.
The unique feature of these 2- and 3-seater rows is that their direction can be reversed (rotated 180°), meaning you’ll always be facing the train’s direction of travel. The seats are also adjustable for a more comfortable position if you want to rest.
First class seating
For express trains, first class consists of rows of 4 seats, 2 on each side of a central aisle. Again, each row is numbered and each seat is lettered: A, C, and D, F. C and D are the aisle seats, A and F are the window seats.
These seats are larger and more comfortable than second-class seats, and are often recommended for foreigners. Each seat is equipped with an electrical outlet and a fold-out table located in one of the armrests.
Business class seating
For fast trains, business class consists of rows of 3 seats, 2 on one side of the central aisle and a separate seat on the other side. The leather seats are very comfortable and can be laid flat if you wish to lie down (from 180 to 190 cm).
The seats include a mini TV with a wide range of films, a power outlet, a foldable tablet in one of the armrests… Some trains may also offer free drinks, snacks, blankets…
Vip Place
Some express trains offer carriages with VIP seating. These very comfortable VIP seats have the same layout as business class seats, i.e., two seats on one side of a central aisle and a separate seat on the other side. The seats can rotate 360° and are equipped with reading lights, a radio, and a television.
Tourist area
On some express trains, you can find a sightseeing area in the business class or VIP car. This area, located either at the front or the rear of the train, is usually equipped with only five reclining seats. Those lucky enough to be able to take advantage of these seats can admire the scenery through extra-large windows.
Sleeper trains in China
Second class hard berth
Second-class berth for fast trains or “hard” berth for slow trains. Whether on slow trains or fast trains, second-class “hard” berths are more or less the same: a dormitory-like space made up of several open compartments with six hard berths in each. Avoid this for foreigners unless you want a real immersion experience.
First class soft sleeper
First-class berth for fast trains or “soft” berth for slow trains. The cars are composed of several compartments that can be closed by a door. In each compartment there are four berths, each approximately 75 cm wide and 190 cm long: two upper berths and two lower berths. On fast trains, each berth is equipped with an LCD TV. At each end of the car there is a toilet area, one for squatting and the other for sitting (Western style).
There is no luggage storage; luggage must be placed under the lower bunks or under the shelf located under the window between the two lower bunks. Each compartment is also equipped with a call button.
Luxury bunk
Available on select Category D trains. The compartments consist of two “soft” berths, one above the other, a table, a sofa, a closet, and a separate toilet. There is also a television, air conditioning, and a call button.
New type of bunk
The bunks are arranged on both sides of the car. Each bunk is equipped with a power outlet, a headlamp, a reading lamp, a separate desk, and a coat rack. A curtain provides privacy. Luggage must be placed under the lower bunk. This type of bunk is still not widely available; at the latest information, only two trains running between Beijing and Shanghai currently offer them.
Standing room only
This type of ticket is only sold for certain category D & C trains, when there are no more seats or sleeping places available. The ticket price is equivalent to that of a second-class seat, and standing is only permitted in the aisles or at the second-class carriage connections.
What about children?
Children under 1.2m tall and accompanied by an adult can travel free of charge. They do not have an assigned seat or berth, but share a seat with the accompanying adult. If you would like a seat for your child, it will cost half price. For berths, it’s 75% of the full fare. Note that if there are multiple children under 1.2m tall, only one will be eligible for free travel.
Children between 1.2 and 1.5m must pay half price for a seat and 75% of the full price for a bassinet.
Useful vocabulary if you take the train in China
Second class: 二等座 èrděng zuò
First class : 一等座 yīděng zuò
Luxury : 特等座 tèděng zuò
Hard bunk : 硬卧 yìngwò
Soft berth : 软卧 ruănwò
Soft seat, 2nd class : 软座 ruănzuò
Hard seat : 硬座 yìngzuò
Without seat : 无座 wúzuò (recommended only for short journeys)
Example price for a Beijing-Shanghai trip (fast train or night trip)
| Departures |
Arrival |
Distance |
Duration |
2nd/1st class seat |
Hard bunk
|
Soft berths |
Beijing South
08:00 |
Shanghai Hongqiao
13:10 |
1318km |
5h 10min |
¥553/¥933
76EUR/128EUR |
|
|
Beijing South
12:10 |
Shanghai Hongqiao
17:50 |
1318km |
5h 40min |
¥553/¥933
76EUR/128EUR |
|
|
Beijing
19:33 |
Shanghai
10:43 |
1470km |
15h 10min |
¥177.5/
24EUR |
¥325.5
44EUR |
¥497.5
68EUR |
Beijing South
21:16 |
Shanghai
09:08 |
1461km |
11h 52min |
/¥309 |
|
¥696
95EUR |
1 EUR = 7,25 CNY
Where and how to book your train tickets in China?
There are different ways to book/purchase train tickets in China, and the language barrier will influence your choice of booking or purchasing method. Note that it is advisable to book early, as trains in China are often fully booked, at least on the main routes.
1) Online booking
This is probably the easiest way to book your train ticket in China. You book online and then pick up your tickets at the station ticket office. Note that these booking sites take a hefty profit on train ticket sales.
12306.cn for Chinese speakers. This is the official website of the Chinese Railway Corporation, but it is entirely in Chinese. Tickets can only be purchased 15 days before the train’s scheduled departure. Since you must speak Chinese and have a Chinese phone number to register, even the slightest mistake in your name could prevent you from boarding. We do not recommend using this website.
12go.asia/fr is very easy to use and can also be useful for other countries in Asia. You enter the departure and arrival stations, the site then offers you different timetable options, and you click “book.” It seems that not all journeys are bookable yet, but the main ones are.
Trip.com, which our team uses a lot. You can book train tickets to China, as well as to a few other Asian and European countries. Enter your departure station, arrival station, and travel date, and you’ll be presented with all trains running on the chosen day, along with prices for each class. Click “Book” based on your chosen class, then you’ll be asked to fill out a form with your passport details and pay by credit card, WeChat, or Alipay. Within two hours, you’ll be notified whether your ticket has been issued or not. Then, go to a ticket office at a Chinese train station to collect your train ticket.
2) Direct purchase at the station
Very complicated if you don’t speak Chinese, you can buy train tickets 15 days before the date of circulation. You must first manage to identify the queue where you are entitled to be. Some are reserved for the military, others for students… Apart from in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, the majority of ticket office employees do not speak English, so it may be difficult to make yourself understood.
There are reservation machines at major train stations, but in most cases, you need a Chinese ID card to validate your reservation, so this service is not available to foreigners. Don’t waste time waiting in line.
Note that there are also train ticket sales points. The language barrier remains the same, and the ticket will cost you a few yuan more than at the train station.
3) Purchase through an online travel agency
Some online agencies offer a train ticket booking service, whether in English or French. It’s often difficult to choose your seat, but some agencies may offer this service. Once purchased, the ticket can be delivered to your hotel in China, or you can pick it up at the train station yourself. Ctrip offers this type of booking. We don’t do this type of booking, but we do offer longer, more comprehensive tours in China.
4) Call 95105105 to book
This is the official phone service for booking train tickets in China, but only for people who speak and understand Chinese very well. Tickets can be booked 30 days before the travel date. Bring a pen and paper to write down the reservation number, and collect your ticket within 24 hours, or your reservation will be canceled.
Notes on your train journeys
Please arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure time.
Your passports act as your travel documents; the receipt received through us or another booking site is for your information.
You will go through 3 successive checks: 1. security (luggage scan); 2. identity (passport check); 3. ticket check at the platform access gate (the number of which you will find on the departures board).
At checkpoints 2 and 3, make sure you choose the line held by a real person and not by a machine.
The platform access door opens about ten minutes before departure. You will find markers on the platform to help you position yourself before the train arrives.
