Besides travelling by air, travelling by train is also a popular choice for people who need to take trips in China. Here we provide you some useful information about how to take Chinese trains.

Besides travelling by air, travelling by train is also a popular choice for people who need to take trips in China. Here we provide you some useful information about how to take Chinese trains.

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Photo:News.com

  1. Chinese train types

  2. Chinese train seats arrangement

  3. Chinese train ticket information

  4. Chinese train price regulation

Chinese trains types

 

Chinese trains are divided into 2 types:

  1. China Railway High-speed (CRH)

    C trains: short-distance trains between important cities, their trips are usually less than 2 hours

    D trains: slower than G trains, about 200km/h

    G trains: the fastest, about 300km/h

  2. Normal Trains

    Z trains: stops mainly at capital cities, the fastest, 160km/h

    T trains: express train, 140km/h

    K trains: the lowest, 120km/h


How to choose a seat on Chinese trains?

 It is the first step to get to know the seat information and How to Buy Train Tickets in China .(<– Click here to know more.)


China Railway High-speed (CRH): first choice of most passengers


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These trains are fast, clean, well-equipped like an aeroplane and run more smoothly. Most of them do not run overnight, they can cover almost half of China in 4-5 hours at day-time. For this reason, most of their seats are not sleepers.

1.  Second Class Seat: the most popular

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Second Class Seats are like those in economy class on an airplane. Second Class ticket price is the lowest among all high speed classes, so it is the most popular and most frequently used.

2.  First Class Seat: wider and softer than second class

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First Class Seats are wider and softer than in second class. With a small pillow and a foldable footrest, they offer a more comfortable experience. The ticket fare is about 20% to 40% higher than second class.

3. Business Class Seat: equivalent of first class on an aeroplane

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C, D or G train Business Class Seats are the equivalent of first class on an aeroplane and are only available on G and some D types. These seats can be adjusted flat for passengers to lie down. The fare is the highest, about twice that of first class.

4.  Others: infrequent on CRH

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There are some VIP Seats available on G and certain D types. They are as comfortable as those in the first class carriages, but the fare is higher and about twice of the second class.

Besides the seats above, there are Soft Sleepers and Luxury Soft Sleepers on a few overnight D trains from Beijing to Guangzhou & Shenzhen, Shanghai to Guangzhou & Shenzhen, etc.


Normal Trains: the choice of budget travellers

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Usually coloured blue, red or green, they run at a lower speed than high speed types, but they run day and night, with relatively lower prices. Due to long travelling duration of these kind of trains, you can sleep during your trip.

1. Hard Sleeper: chosen by most passengers

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A Hard Sleeper compartment usually comprises six berths arranged in three levels on the two sides. As the compartments lack doors, it is hard to have a good sleep due to continuous snores, kids’ crying, and the sound of the train moving. The fare of upper berth is the cheapest while that of the lower is costly among these 3 levels.

2. Soft Sleeper: more comfortable than hard sleepers

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A Soft Sleeper compartment consists of two upper and two lower berths with a door. The berths are wider than the hard sleepers. The fare is about 50% higher than the hard sleeper.

3. Luxury Soft Sleeper: the most luxurious sleepers

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There are two bunks on one side of the compartment, and a leisure area with a sofa and an independent western style toilet. The fare is about twice that of a soft sleeper. They are only available on some long-distance trips between major cities.

4. Hard Seat: the cheapest, yet noisy, smelly and crowded

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Hard Seat is the cheapest among all classes. But taking Hard Seat can be something of a torment, especially for a long journey. The seat backs are almost vertical and cannot be adjusted. The carriages are always noisy, smelly, and crowded with non-seat passengers, especially during peak seasons such as Chinese New Year.

5. Soft Seat: cushioned seats

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Soft seats are only available on a few trains. There are four seats in a row with two on both sides. The seats are cushioned and softer. The fare is about 1.5 times of a hard seat.


How to “read” your train ticket?

 After choosing a seat you want, it is time that you learn to “read” your ticket information. All information about your trip can be seen on a train ticket.

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If you miss the train, the ticket can be changed when there is a ticket available for the train you want. But all tickets can only be changed for once.


Check the price

 Prices of train tickets are stable without much influence by peak seasons. But from 21st April this year, 3 coastal high speed routes through southeast China will price up, including:

  1. Shanghai to Hangzhou

  2. Hangzhou to Ningbo

  3. Ningbo to Shenzhen

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The price of Second Class Seat of these routes is pricing up 30%, while that of First Class Seat pricing up 70%. Speed of these trains also increases 50 km/h faster than before.

Now you have learnt enough about Chinese trains, enjoy your train trip in China! Have you had any problems with taking Chinese trains? Share your experience with us!

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