Originally Posted by
cardesigner2000
Appreciate all of your advice (even if you don't all agree). Since it's our first time, we'll try to make it as simple as possible. To be conservative I could book a later train in advance and the change to an earlier train when I pick up my ticket... or?
The Hongqiao-Hangzhou route does have 3-4 high speed trains per hour, so there are good chances of getting a seat on a weekday afternoon.
Any difference between Hangzhou main station or Hangzhou East? East station seems to be a little farther from the Hyatt, but I'd rather be on the next available train.
They only accept cash for purchasing high-speed train tickets at the counters. You should purchase the return trip in Shanghai but all departures leaving from a different city incur a 5 yuan surcharge.
From my experience last year for a weekend getaway, it is impossible to get the next departure on-site. The trains run frequently but are often full. Prepare to wait up to an hour for the next available seat. This makes buying the return trip in advance even more crucial.
The Hyatt Regency is located right next to West Lake and is 2 stops on the metro from Hangzhou Station. Get off at Longxianqiao and walk 2 blocks west towards the lake. Hangzhou East is
much further away but also has a metro stop.