Taking G Train?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 23
Taking G Train?
I am traveling with my dad to Changsha and we need to get from Changsha to Hong Kong and we don't really have any time restraints and we haven't traveled in China very much so we thought that it would be fun to take a train from Changsha to Hong Kong instead of flying. We think it would be a nice way to see a part of the country and it would be fun to ride on a high speed train which we haven't done before.
It looks like our best option is to take the G train to Shenzhen and then take the subway to Hong Kong.
Has anyone done something similar before and have any recommendations? Neither of us speak any Mandarin, will that be an issue?
Is business class worth it for a couple hour journey?
Thanks for any help you can provide
It looks like our best option is to take the G train to Shenzhen and then take the subway to Hong Kong.
Has anyone done something similar before and have any recommendations? Neither of us speak any Mandarin, will that be an issue?
Is business class worth it for a couple hour journey?
Thanks for any help you can provide
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Not a bad way to move from Changsha to Shenzhen in a hurry, though there's not much in the way of attractive scenery. I'd go for the cheap tickets, but some like to pay more for a bit more space.
Only real issue would be if you're travelling with lots of heavy luggage. If so, the Metro/MTR transfers to Hong Kong could be a hassle.
Language shouldn't be a big issue: just follow the crowds.
Best to buy your ticket ahead of time. Your hotel should be able to steer you to a nearby ticket office.
Of course you'll need to buy separate tickets on arrival for the Metro/MTR.
Only real issue would be if you're travelling with lots of heavy luggage. If so, the Metro/MTR transfers to Hong Kong could be a hassle.
Language shouldn't be a big issue: just follow the crowds.
Best to buy your ticket ahead of time. Your hotel should be able to steer you to a nearby ticket office.
Of course you'll need to buy separate tickets on arrival for the Metro/MTR.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
If you have time to spare, you can always do a detour. Doing a transit in Guilin will add time to your journey (double the travel time) but you'll have very nice scenery.
No mandarin required, train stations, especially the ones for high-speed trains are pretty obvious. As to whether business class is worth it, this is really up to you. I find second class just fine. See what the various classes look like on this YouTube video:
The business class seats are substantially more expensive.
No mandarin required, train stations, especially the ones for high-speed trains are pretty obvious. As to whether business class is worth it, this is really up to you. I find second class just fine. See what the various classes look like on this YouTube video:
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Business would probably be overkill on such a short ride. 8 seat cabin is best but I'm not sure what is on that line, Then its probably not worth it especially since it's 3x the price of second class. I like it for longer trips though when jetlag is involved
Last edited by CDKing; Nov 16, 2017 at 7:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,452
For your Beijing-Changsha leg, there are 5 express G trains daily, with trip times 5:38 to 5:42. Departing Beijing from 8:00 to 13:02 and arriving in Changsha from 13:38 to 18:41. Ticket price for Beijing-Changsha 2nd class 649 yuan, 1st class 1038 yuan, business class 2050 yuan.
The route also has 11 non-express G trains, trip times 6:31 to 7:38, ticket cost same except 2 trains have VIP class instead of business.
Changsha-Futian leg has 10 trains daily, with trip times 3:04 to 3:42. Departing Changsha 7:50 to 20:26, arriving Futian 11:32 to 23:47. 2nd class 397 yuan, 1st class 612 yuan, business class 1210 yuan. Some of the 10 trains have VIP class instead of business, some have both.
The route also has 11 non-express G trains, trip times 6:31 to 7:38, ticket cost same except 2 trains have VIP class instead of business.
Changsha-Futian leg has 10 trains daily, with trip times 3:04 to 3:42. Departing Changsha 7:50 to 20:26, arriving Futian 11:32 to 23:47. 2nd class 397 yuan, 1st class 612 yuan, business class 1210 yuan. Some of the 10 trains have VIP class instead of business, some have both.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
For your Beijing-Changsha leg, there are 5 express G trains daily, with trip times 5:38 to 5:42. Departing Beijing from 8:00 to 13:02 and arriving in Changsha from 13:38 to 18:41. Ticket price for Beijing-Changsha 2nd class 649 yuan, 1st class 1038 yuan, business class 2050 yuan.
The route also has 11 non-express G trains, trip times 6:31 to 7:38, ticket cost same except 2 trains have VIP class instead of business.
Changsha-Futian leg has 10 trains daily, with trip times 3:04 to 3:42. Departing Changsha 7:50 to 20:26, arriving Futian 11:32 to 23:47. 2nd class 397 yuan, 1st class 612 yuan, business class 1210 yuan. Some of the 10 trains have VIP class instead of business, some have both.
The route also has 11 non-express G trains, trip times 6:31 to 7:38, ticket cost same except 2 trains have VIP class instead of business.
Changsha-Futian leg has 10 trains daily, with trip times 3:04 to 3:42. Departing Changsha 7:50 to 20:26, arriving Futian 11:32 to 23:47. 2nd class 397 yuan, 1st class 612 yuan, business class 1210 yuan. Some of the 10 trains have VIP class instead of business, some have both.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
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Posts: 463
If the goal is to end up in HK then Futian is certainly better than Shenzhen North. Less crowds and nearer to the border on the same metro line 4.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
No, sorry but you are wrong. Look at a subway map. Shenzhen north is on the same line but Futian requires a transfer. You also have cross border buses from the Shenzhen north bus station which is next to the train station.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
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Posts: 463
Futian train station connects to 3 different metro stations, one of those (Civic Centre) are on line 4.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
I have actually been there a few times and only saw a connection to the Futian subway station. It is actually right under it. How do you get to Civic Center? how long a walk is it? It is nearly 1km away, must be quite a walk with luggage.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
Programs: Aeroflot Bonus, British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 463
Through underground passage from exit 15, which passes near some staff quarters