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B.Alexander13
Joined: 07 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: Traveling Through China, etc. |
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I'm heading to China for vacation at the end of July.....Beijing to Xi'an to Shanghai.
I'm having problems figuring out where to book train tickets. Can't find a website that allows me to book online!
I don't want to spend the extra money on a soft sleeper....would rather have a hard sleeper. Will be taking the overnight trains between the cities.
Any advice or help much appreciated. Also, if you have any recommendations besides the major things such as the great wall, t. warriors, the bund, etc.....I'd like to hear them. |
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Missihippi
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Location: Gwangmyeong
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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I'm doing this same trip the first two weeks of august. I was told that it's best to buy the train tickets once you get there..
Only thing i have booked in advance is my plane ticket and first two nights at a hostel.
If you hear otherwise, let me know.. |
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Ralphie
Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Location: Beijing, PRC
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 12:09 am Post subject: |
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| There are websites, but either the website operators will charge high commission fees (and all payments will be in foreign currency which is determined by the site's physical location). The best way to book train tickets in China is to go through your hostel. You will have a higher chance of obtaining your desired tickets, because hostel operators go through the black market (don't worry, tickets will be valid on trains because hostel people hire a local to stand and wait in the long lines to buy your tickets). They will charge a service fee - between 10-60 RMB. The other option is to wait in the lonnngggg lines yourself - in which case, bring a pillow, book, iPod, food, and water - don't forget the Chinese phrasebook. You might have a chance at a ticket - if the local black market people haven't already snatch up all the tickets. |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Ralphie wrote: |
| There are websites, but either the website operators will charge high commission fees (and all payments will be in foreign currency which is determined by the site's physical location). The best way to book train tickets in China is to go through your hostel. You will have a higher chance of obtaining your desired tickets, because hostel operators go through the black market (don't worry, tickets will be valid on trains because hostel people hire a local to stand and wait in the long lines to buy your tickets). They will charge a service fee - between 10-60 RMB. The other option is to wait in the lonnngggg lines yourself - in which case, bring a pillow, book, iPod, food, and water - don't forget the Chinese phrasebook. You might have a chance at a ticket - if the local black market people haven't already snatch up all the tickets. |
You will have very little trouble booking train tickets at each station. I've been all over the country on numerous ocassions and the only time I wasn't able to get a ticket a few days in advance was from Chengdu to Panzhuoia (sp?), which is necessary to avoid a grueling bus through mountains on mining paths to get from Chengdu to Lijiang. The lines were never unbearably long either. |
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Ralphie
Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Location: Beijing, PRC
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| Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:07 am Post subject: |
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| definitely maybe wrote: |
| You will have very little trouble booking train tickets at each station. I've been all over the country on numerous ocassions and the only time I wasn't able to get a ticket a few days in advance was from Chengdu to Panzhuoia (sp?), which is necessary to avoid a grueling bus through mountains on mining paths to get from Chengdu to Lijiang. The lines were never unbearably long either. |
I was there in July two years ago. If you are in X'ian, buy your train tickets through a hostel. My taxi traveled past the main train station. The crowds were reason enough to pay a small commission to the hostel. In Tayuan, I was very lucky! Waited only 2.5 hours to get standing room train ticket to Pingyau. Book through the hostel. It's a small price to pay in order to have more time to enjoy your vacation instead of waiting in lines! One last thing: buy a hard seat, even if journey is only a few hours. The bunk bed will afford you some privacy, whereas in standing room, you will attract a lot of attention. |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Ralphie wrote: |
| definitely maybe wrote: |
| You will have very little trouble booking train tickets at each station. I've been all over the country on numerous ocassions and the only time I wasn't able to get a ticket a few days in advance was from Chengdu to Panzhuoia (sp?), which is necessary to avoid a grueling bus through mountains on mining paths to get from Chengdu to Lijiang. The lines were never unbearably long either. |
I was there in July two years ago. If you are in X'ian, buy your train tickets through a hostel. My taxi traveled past the main train station. The crowds were reason enough to pay a small commission to the hostel. In Tayuan, I was very lucky! Waited only 2.5 hours to get standing room train ticket to Pingyau. Book through the hostel. It's a small price to pay in order to have more time to enjoy your vacation instead of waiting in lines! One last thing: buy a hard seat, even if journey is only a few hours. The bunk bed will afford you some privacy, whereas in standing room, you will attract a lot of attention. |
Some people prefer to do things on their own on trips, and others have trouble taking care of transportation/lodging/etc. needs in foreign countries. I'm not saying you fall into the latter categoryIn fact, I'm confident you aren't. However, you do seem to consider yourself an expert on all things China with a very narrow scope of experience. I have no doubt booking through hostels is more convenient, but I think handling things myself, which I've always done with only one poor turnout, is part of the adventure. The OP will make his own decisions, so there's nothing wrong with providing multiple perspectives. You've been through China once, and I've been there multiple times as well as lived in Shanghai. I'm sure there's room for differing opinions, no?
I do emphatically agree with booking a sleeper, hard or soft. That is advice that no one should pass up. |
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brickabrack
Joined: 17 May 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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I would also get a sleeper.
You can get the tickets at the counter. I've never not been able to
if you are at least 1-2 hours early. The only occassion has been in Shanghai during the spring festival. What a mad house. |
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