Originally Posted by
JPDM
Not always slower at bigger stations. Sometimes you just need to know where is the best counter to go to at that station. Small stations often only have one counter open so you have no choice and the line can be long. Some small stations have very few trains so if you go when no trains are scheduled for a couple of hours then they'll no one else there.
Big or small, I never had to wait long to get my tickets bought online ( I take about 10 trains per year). And if you are really pressed for time, nothing wrong with cutting the line.
My experience too - I once picked up my ticket at Beijing South without standing in line (at the ticketing window near the subway exit), and I once spent 45 min picking up at Jinan West.