Originally Posted by
mileagerunner
My first choice was sold out but I got the next available train 15 minutes later. Unlike the first class seat trains, my Dxxxx train to Wuxi was a sleeper train and only sold second class tickets for 39 kuai. I couldn't find my seat initially, so I just found myself an empty compartment which I had to myself for the entire 60 minute journey. It was an early morning departure and I just did some work on the laptop. way back.
Yes, you can get same day tickets for 6-7 am departures in most cases. But after that it gets difficult if not impossible until around noon or early afternoon.
I wouldn't do same morning purchases if you have a schedule as odds really are not that good to get on the train you want.