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Train travel and transport in China

Train travel in China is very well organised and a great way to cover large distances during your holiday; whether you've built your holiday using our bite-sized China trips, or chosen from one of our holidays in China. Travelling by train is an excellent way to mingle with the Chinese locals and learn how to say more than a simple 'Ni Hao' during your China holiday. The trains are relatively clean, well organised and train personnel are very helpful.

Our holidays in China usually include at least one train journey, alongside domestic flights, high speed bullet trains and local busses. All of our itineraries can be flexible however, so do let you Travel Specialist know if you have any preferences for travelling through China.

From meals on board to travel routes and times; we've put together some information below where you can learn more about train travel in China.

Train travel in China

Train travel in China is very efficient; most trains depart right on time. Even if the train station is crowded, try to be at the platform gate one hour before departure, you'll usually be allowed to board the train. Arriving at the train station early will also alleviate stress and allow you to have a bite to eat at the station before departure.

Train departure and arrival information can be found on large signs at the train station. The information isn't provided by destination, but by train identification number. This same number is also located on your train ticket. Your train ticket also indicates which carriage and bed number you have. The train steward(ess) will collect your card and give a type of 'credit card' with your seat number on it in return. You'll have to keep this card on you during your trip.

Half an hour before arrival at your destination, the steward(ess) will come back and collect the card and return your original train ticket to you.

What are the night trains like?

We book two different classes of night train; hard sleeper (2nd class) and soft sleeper (1st class).

The standard in our itineraries is a hard sleeper - Despite it's name, a 'hard sleeper' isn't as bad as it sounds; it actually offers practically the same bed as you would receive if you booked a soft sleeper. So why is it referred to as a 'hard sleeper'? Because class differentiation is strictly prohibited, and therefore first and second class differentiations aren't allowed.

Hard Sleeper
These comprise of open cabins with 6 beds. The dimensions are quite generous: approx. 60 cm wide by 2 metres long (top bed as well). There are ladders to climb to the top bunk along a dividing wall. If there are less than 6 people travelling in your party then any spare beds will be used by other travellers. All bedding is supplied.

Soft Sleeper
These comprise of closed cabins with 4 beds, which convert to two sofas for daytime use. Unlike the Hard Sleeper, this is a closed cabin so it will be locked at night. For this reason the cabin can feel more confined than the hard sleeper. Again, if there are less than 4 people travelling in your party, then any spare beds will be used by other travellers. All bedding is supplied.

Deluxe Soft Sleepers
These are 2-berth compartments with a private toilet. There are very limited numbers of these available, which are often booked by government officials; we do not offer this class of travel.

Note: Train tickets can only be booked a short time before departure. Because of this, it may not always be possible to get beds in the same cabin as your travel companions.

Train Travel China - Seating arrangements

Train travel in China - Train routes and travel times

Overnight Trains
Beijing – Xi'an: 1.5 hours
Beijing - Shanghai: 12 hours
Xi'an – Lanzhou: 9 hours
Xi'an – Chengdu: 16.5 hours
Guilin - Guangzhou: 13 hours
Kunming - Guilin: 18.5 hours

Day Trains
Guangzhou - Hong Kong: 2 hours
Shanghai - Suzhou: 30 minutes
Beijing - Shanghai (Bullet Train): 5.5 hours

Note: Routes from Shanghai to Guilin, Canton or Chengdu take more than 25 hours to travel and we therefore advise against them. The route from Shanghai to Xi'an is also quite long at approximately 20 hours.

Are food and drinks available on board?

A very basic food and beverage cart will ride through the train (for instance with plastic boxes of noodles). The train's restaurant is reasonable, but nothing special. You can order (luke-warm) beer, coke and simple meals here.

Most Chinese bring along their own water, food and drinks- and we suggest you do the same just in case. If you allow yourself enough time, you'll be able to purchase snacks at the train station.

Transfers to/from train stations

On arrival at a train station, your transfer to your hotel is always included in the price of your trip, unless your hotel is within walking distance from the train station. It's convenient and you won't have to worry about catching taxi. It will also allow you to meet our local representative and he or she will provide you with any further travel documentation that you may need.

We usually don't book transport to the train station. By booking your own taxi at your hotel's reception desk, you can arrange your own transport more affordably and effectively. If you'd prefer to have your transfers arranged prior to your China holiday, just let our friendly China travel specialists know and they'll arrange it for you.

Local transport

Taxis in China are affordable and their drivers are usually friendly and helpful.
Please be aware however that most of the taxi drivers only speak Chinese (those that speak English often become guides). We also suggest always having one of your hotel's business cards on you, and also ask the receptionist write down the name of the neighbourhood in Chinese on the business card.

In many cities (such as Beijing) it is possible to also get a Rickshaw - These can be a bit more expensive (and slow) however they can be great for pictures.

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