Originally Posted by
mlin32
How is obtaining train tickets complicated ?
But to the OP, your thought are would I'd so as well. Xi'an 西安 to Beijing by train can be done within 4h20. Whereas I know that PKX is a good 40-50mn to the centre of Beijing and PEK also around 35mn so you have add that to your travel time by plane.
That's a little of my thought process.
Shanghai-Xi'an by plane... 45 min to the airport, arrive 2 hours early, 2.5 hour flight time, 45 minutes to city center = 6 hours by plane vs 7 hours + in town transit by train.
Xi'an-Beijing by plane. 45 minutes to the airport, arrive 2 hours early, 2.5 hour flight time, 45 minutes to the hotel = 6 hours by plane vs 4-5 hours + in town transit time by train.
I'm sure one can shave off some time here and there, but the train to Beijing seems like it's a clear winner. To Xi'an, it looks like flying is probably better?
I have Ali Pay set up on my phone and it seems like I am able to book a train ticket... I've gone through everything until entering in my passport info, etc., and it seems to work. According to the AliPay app, it appears that one can reserve a ticket more than 15 days in advance and they will automatically book the tickets once they go on sale. Is this pretty reliable?