China Travel Forum

[blaine424]

Hello. We will be travelling to China in May.
We would like to fly from Shanghai to Xi’an, but all of the airfares we have found the.

last few months are either full price, or at most 45% off.

shows a bunch or great fares, but when you go to book them,
it always says “fail to check seats”

anyone know what’s up with that?

[blaine424]

I have traveled in China during May/June 2006 and May/June 2007.

I have found that domestic flights are cheaper the closer to the departure date.

I once booked a flight from Xi'an to Shanghai

the day before and got 60% off. The discount also depends of the time of

day.

I think you can get a soft sleeper without problems. For hard seater or hard sleeper it might be more difficult.

[jawharzimmerman]

Thank you to everybody for your replies.

I guess we will have to play it by ear for now and wait until closer to departure.

Another question regarding air travel. I understand we should be able to

get 4 bunks in a soft sleeper purchased only a day or five before travel?


We will travel to Beijing from Xi'an a few days later, would we also be able to

buy these air tickets in Shanghai?

[World Cup]

Unlike most of the western world, domestic airfare in China usually gets

cheaper the closer you get to departure.

I've never found a site that accepts advance reservations at anything less

than almost full price.

If price is your biggest concern, best bet will be to wait to the last minute and book something at a local travelagency after you get to Shanghai.

If you book at the hotel you'll probably pay a little premium over a travel

agency,but you're paying for less of a hassle factor.

I believe you need to get the beijing to xi'an train ticket in Beijing.

[Ice Road]

Xi'an -- Beijing train tickets will not be available in Shanghai.

I've tried several times without success.

I doubt you'll be able to get 3 soft sleepers a couple of days before travel, let alone in the same compartment.

I presume you're talking about Shanghai -- Xi'an.