Rail Travel in China - how is it?
Mar 1, 2018, 3:05 am
#61
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
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As a question for the locals.
looking at heading to Shanghai for the F1 and thinking of a few days in Wuxi/Suzouh/Hangzhou before and after (prob just one day each so I can fit in a 144TWOV)
Do you need to book these short journeys in advance (with the $5+ booking fee) or can you do it on the day,
Or would you just get a taxi so as to not have to go through the train security and ticket collection etc
looking at heading to Shanghai for the F1 and thinking of a few days in Wuxi/Suzouh/Hangzhou before and after (prob just one day each so I can fit in a 144TWOV)
Do you need to book these short journeys in advance (with the $5+ booking fee) or can you do it on the day,
Or would you just get a taxi so as to not have to go through the train security and ticket collection etc
Mar 1, 2018, 3:48 am
#62
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Especially on weekends-- when Shanghai people tend to do exactly what you're doing -- you could end up having to hang around the station for a couple of hours waiting for the next available train.
If that "$5 fee" refers to buying on ctrip, that's not necessary. Just buy in advance from one of the small ticket offices dotted all over Shanghai. Then no need to line-up at the station to get your ticket, either. Fee is 5RMB buying from one of these places.
If that "$5 fee" refers to buying on ctrip, that's not necessary. Just buy in advance from one of the small ticket offices dotted all over Shanghai. Then no need to line-up at the station to get your ticket, either. Fee is 5RMB buying from one of these places.
Last edited by 889; Mar 1, 2018 at 4:01 am
Mar 1, 2018, 4:36 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Yeh. Was referring to ctrip as buying out of country iniially, but might start with Wuxi, and then work my way back to Shanghai mostly travelling weekday non-peak.
Arriving 6.30pm at PVG would you recommend direct bus to Wuxi, bus to Hongquaio, metro to Railway and unbooked ticket (or book on last train) or Maglev, Lines then unbooked rail.
I've been on the Maglev before so not a must do on this trip.
Arriving 6.30pm at PVG would you recommend direct bus to Wuxi, bus to Hongquaio, metro to Railway and unbooked ticket (or book on last train) or Maglev, Lines then unbooked rail.
I've been on the Maglev before so not a must do on this trip.
Mar 1, 2018, 6:46 am
#64
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Buy all the tickets that you need when you arrive in the first city, then you have what you want. If you wait at the station before each train, you may have to wait a couple of hours for the next train with available seats. But if your schedule is quite firm. nothing wrong with paying an agent to do it. A small amount relative to the cost of the trip.
Mar 1, 2018, 10:24 am
#66
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Buy all the tickets that you need when you arrive in the first city, then you have what you want. If you wait at the station before each train, you may have to wait a couple of hours for the next train with available seats. But if your schedule is quite firm. nothing wrong with paying an agent to do it. A small amount relative to the cost of the trip.
Mar 1, 2018, 11:05 am
#67
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
An agent, like ctrip, needs passport numbers only. The agent doesn't get you the actual physical ticket, but a confirmation code you exchange for the ticket at the station by showing your passport.
If you buy your ticket ahead of time at one of the small city ticket offices, you need to show your passport and you get your actual ticket then and there.
If you buy your ticket ahead of time at one of the small city ticket offices, you need to show your passport and you get your actual ticket then and there.
Mar 1, 2018, 12:02 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2006
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The Nanjing-Zhenjiang-Wuxi-Suzhou-Shanghai-Hangzhou arc is China's Acela Corridor times 10. You can basically jump onto the next or next-next train with no problems, especially on a weekday, but why not download the Ctrip app and monitor the situation a couple of hours beforehand?
Mar 2, 2018, 5:55 am
#69
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
No. Either they send you the confirmation number and you pick up the tickets at the station or they send the tickets to your hotel (for a higher fee) and they don't need your passport for these two options.
Mar 2, 2018, 3:05 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Originally I thought you meant buying yourself and ask someone as your agent just to pick it up.
Mar 4, 2018, 8:01 pm
#71
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
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As a question for the locals.
looking at heading to Shanghai for the F1 and thinking of a few days in Wuxi/Suzouh/Hangzhou before and after (prob just one day each so I can fit in a 144TWOV)
Do you need to book these short journeys in advance (with the $5+ booking fee) or can you do it on the day,
Or would you just get a taxi so as to not have to go through the train security and ticket collection etc
looking at heading to Shanghai for the F1 and thinking of a few days in Wuxi/Suzouh/Hangzhou before and after (prob just one day each so I can fit in a 144TWOV)
Do you need to book these short journeys in advance (with the $5+ booking fee) or can you do it on the day,
Or would you just get a taxi so as to not have to go through the train security and ticket collection etc
Get the tickets ahead of time, the train station depending on time / date you travel can be packed. There are a lot of people in Shanghai and they all use the train for intercity travel.
Don't underestimate the time it takes to get tickets, get thru security etc. A few weeks ago we were torn between pre-buying and paying a fee versus just show up. Was very happy I paid a bit more get the tickets ahead of time. As to other's advice, I'd say pay more and get agent to deliver the physical tickets to you. Unless you have a lot of time and know where to go the train-station is huge and can be an easy place to get lost.
Enjoy your travels
Last edited by chipmaster; Mar 4, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Mar 5, 2018, 8:05 am
#73
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
I was in Beijing South the first time when I couldn't find the ticketing booths. I decided to ask information after 3-4 minutes. It just happened I entered from the wrong entrance where the ticketing offices were on the other side. Also, it should be noted that the shortest lines are usually for ticket returns.
Mar 5, 2018, 7:19 pm
#74
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
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Posts: 580
Thanks, I have been to China seven times and never knew train tickets could be purchased that way. I have bought flight tickets ahead of time on the web, but always queued up at the station for tickets. Next time...
Mar 6, 2018, 5:07 am
#75
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886