Aug 21, 2018, 7:14 am
Last edit by: moondog
I started this thread almost exactly 7 years ago. Not a lot has changed since then, but I think a wikipost is now justified:
-Jing refers to Beijing and Hu refers to Shanghai
-the smaller cities in the middle derive the greatest economic benefit from the service
-air fares have dropped a lot during the course of the past 7 years, and the delay situation has improved quite a bit, so I usually fly these days
-single digit trains tend to stop only in Nanjing, double digit trains stop in Nanjing and Jinan, and triple digit trains have up to 7 station stops.
-the vast majority of trains terminate at Shanghai Hongqiao, which isn't convenient for many people, but Shanghai Station service has recently been launched
-if you have a few days advance on your hands, buy tickets locally; in addition to being a little cheaper, this spares the need for will call
-Jing refers to Beijing and Hu refers to Shanghai
-the smaller cities in the middle derive the greatest economic benefit from the service
-air fares have dropped a lot during the course of the past 7 years, and the delay situation has improved quite a bit, so I usually fly these days
-single digit trains tend to stop only in Nanjing, double digit trains stop in Nanjing and Jinan, and triple digit trains have up to 7 station stops.
-the vast majority of trains terminate at Shanghai Hongqiao, which isn't convenient for many people, but Shanghai Station service has recently been launched
-if you have a few days advance on your hands, buy tickets locally; in addition to being a little cheaper, this spares the need for will call
The Jinghu (Beijing-Shanghai) High Speed Rail thread
May 12, 2016, 9:59 am
#121
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,452
Evening expresses
On Sunday, 15th of May, evening expresses begin.
At present, last express train Beijing-Shanghai is G17, departs 15:00, takes 4:56, arrives 19:56.
G19 departs 16:00, takes 5:16, arrives 21:16. G21 departs 17:00, takes 5:39, arrives 22:39. The last train is G159, departs 17:50, takes 5:38, arrives 23:28.
But on 15th of May, there shall be G7, departing Beijing 19:00, taking 4:55 (stops at Jinan and Nanjing), arrives 23:55.
Shanghai-Beijing shall also have G8, departing Shanghai 19:00, taking 4:48 (stops at Nanjing), arrives 23:48.
How convenient are Hongqiao and Beijing South for arriving a few minutes before midnight?
At present, last express train Beijing-Shanghai is G17, departs 15:00, takes 4:56, arrives 19:56.
G19 departs 16:00, takes 5:16, arrives 21:16. G21 departs 17:00, takes 5:39, arrives 22:39. The last train is G159, departs 17:50, takes 5:38, arrives 23:28.
But on 15th of May, there shall be G7, departing Beijing 19:00, taking 4:55 (stops at Jinan and Nanjing), arrives 23:55.
Shanghai-Beijing shall also have G8, departing Shanghai 19:00, taking 4:48 (stops at Nanjing), arrives 23:48.
How convenient are Hongqiao and Beijing South for arriving a few minutes before midnight?
May 12, 2016, 10:32 am
#122
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Jul 20, 2016, 3:36 am
#124
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
The numbers, such as they are, are out and it looks like the Jinghu HSR line is quite a success:
http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0719/c98649-9088162.html
http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0719/c98649-9088162.html
Jan 18, 2017, 4:11 am
#125
Join Date: Oct 2004
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The earlier arrival time was perfect for me, breakfast at the Korean bakery "Paris Baguette" outlet at Beijingnan and then to my friends and business partners apartment in Chaoyang for a shower and getting some work done.
On the way back next morning. G5, BJ 7:00 - SH 11:55. Got up at 4:45 and had checked the previous day that the metro lines needed operate from shortly after 5 am onwards.
Quick metro trip so no taxi hassle at all and bought some brekkie items at the Beijingnan midlevel convenience store also frequented by the railway employees.
The day trip was a bit dull but it was good to arrive early enough to be able to have lunch on the other side of town in Lujiazui.
Feb 14, 2017, 9:29 pm
#126
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Train info Beijing to Shanghai
Train info Beijing to Shanghai
I have seen the pictures of the high-speed trains. Second-class is US$81 first-class $137 USD and business approximately $250.
Can someone tell me for five hours it's really worth $50 more or $170 more and why?
Are there any discounts anywhere and is advantage for buying tickets in advance?
Thanks
I have seen the pictures of the high-speed trains. Second-class is US$81 first-class $137 USD and business approximately $250.
Can someone tell me for five hours it's really worth $50 more or $170 more and why?
Are there any discounts anywhere and is advantage for buying tickets in advance?
Thanks
Feb 14, 2017, 9:33 pm
#127
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
I don't think it's worth paying more, but obviously some people do or those more expensive coaches would be empty. Up to you, really. No doubt some travellers in China wouldn't be caught dead in the cheap seats.
No discounts. Buying in advance means you know you'll get a seat on the particular timing you want. If you're flexible, maybe that's less important.
No discounts. Buying in advance means you know you'll get a seat on the particular timing you want. If you're flexible, maybe that's less important.
Feb 14, 2017, 9:44 pm
#128
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Business class (the top category, which is above first class), is IMO not worth it unless you can expense it to your company or somebody else. First class is worth it if you are a "customer of size" or need to get laptop work or paperwork done, since you have more real estate. Many casual travelers do fine in second class and prefer to save cash. On Chinese high-speed trains, I use both first and second class depending on the route and what I need to be doing (or not) on the journey.
There are no discounts, but if you are traveling at a busy period/day and need to be on a certain train, it would be better to buy the tickets in advance and pay a small service fee from a reputable China-based agent.
There are no discounts, but if you are traveling at a busy period/day and need to be on a certain train, it would be better to buy the tickets in advance and pay a small service fee from a reputable China-based agent.
Feb 16, 2017, 2:59 pm
#133
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Feb 16, 2017, 4:04 pm
#134
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If you buy together, i.e., submitting an order for both passengers together, you will likely sit together (I know of exceptions but I am lucky enough to sit with my travel companions all the time). If you buy separately, then very unlikely.
That applies for 1st and 2nd class seats. I only traveled alone on Business class so I do not have first-hand experience. There are only few Business class seats and 1/3 of them are single seats. I suppose there may be a higher chance of sitting apart.
That applies for 1st and 2nd class seats. I only traveled alone on Business class so I do not have first-hand experience. There are only few Business class seats and 1/3 of them are single seats. I suppose there may be a higher chance of sitting apart.
Feb 16, 2017, 8:01 pm
#135
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Business class (the top category, which is above first class), is IMO not worth it unless you can expense it to your company or somebody else. First class is worth it if you are a "customer of size" or need to get laptop work or paperwork done, since you have more real estate. Many casual travelers do fine in second class and prefer to save cash. On Chinese high-speed trains, I use both first and second class depending on the route and what I need to be doing (or not) on the journey.
There are no discounts, but if you are traveling at a busy period/day and need to be on a certain train, it would be better to buy the tickets in advance and pay a small service fee from a reputable China-based agent.
There are no discounts, but if you are traveling at a busy period/day and need to be on a certain train, it would be better to buy the tickets in advance and pay a small service fee from a reputable China-based agent.
On BJ - SH trips I'd do 1st if not on an especially limited budget, on shorter hops, say Beijing - Jinan or Nanjing - Shanghai for example, 2nd is perfectly fine.