Originally Posted by
mosburger
I tend to get tickets at a kiosk or then pick them up well before the actual trip at the pre-order train station booth.
As I'm on the trains often with clients and partners these days, can't risk anything related to the actual trip. They are counting on me providing a smooth travel experience.
What I find annoying is the closure of the rather nice coffeeshop also providing hot meals between SHA T2 and Honqgiao railway station. They had a good selection of drinks and passable food & well working wifi.
Best place to wait for a train anywhere in China but now unfortunately shut due to poor commercial planning of the SHA T2 shopping & dining facilities.
I don't have Chinese ID and cannot pick up at a kiosk. So I can only pick them up at a window as early as possible, and I usually go to a station 90 min ahead to pick up. I also pick up my other tickets for the entire trip at the first station at RMB5/ticket. Occasionally I pick up well ahead of time to avoid problems (e.g., pick up Thursday for Friday night travel).