China Travel Forum

[Melba Nash]

We are going to Shanghai next week. We will like to get the Shanghai-xian night train on the day we arrive (about 4pm 21 march). Will it be possible to get the tickets or it will probably be full ?

Also, anyone knows the approximate cost of flights from Shanghai to xian ? I checked elong.com and there is little discount - 25%. or should I just buy a last minute at the airport when I arrive ?

And one last question - what about flights from Shanghai to Beijing for 30mar ? Again, when i checked its about Y570 + 150 tax ? is there any child fare ?

thanks !

[malcolm55]

Normally tickets are available on the day. But on the one hand this is Easter weekend, on the other hand, so what? that's no Chinese holiday. Also, tickets aren't normally available very far in advance. It used to be four days, but I think now it's seven. Looking at the timetable, there seem to be at least seven trains available to you. By the way, it's Shanghai West station.

There are several classes of ticket on trains: the most expensive is soft sleeper (ruanwo), with lower berth slightly dearer than upper berth. Two upper&lower to a cabin with a door. Next is hard sleeper (yingwo). To me this is not noticeably worse than soft sleeper, except it is a lot more public. Three levels of bunk, with the lowest dearest. Two triples to a bay, but no door onto the carriage. There can also be soft seat (ruanzuo), hard seat (yingzuo), and standing.


You would do better here to take the overnight train. I think all accommodation is soft sleeper, and some trains give free dinner.

Train schedules:www.muztagh.com