China Travel Forum

[Mike]

I've read all previous relevant posts but.......going from Shanghai to Hong Kong and then to Hanoi and Saigon,hopefully all by train.Any comments,observations,advice on any aspect of the trail would be appreciated.Hard or soft sleeper?How long?Availability?Best place to get Vietnam visa and how long does it take?How much?Border crossing hassles?Etc.Peace Taking slow boat from Osaka soon....

[Vincent]

There is direct train between Shanghai and Hong Kong (http://www.kcrc.com/eng/services/services/ipssts3.asp )

If you want to take the train from Hong Kong to Hanoi, you probably have to go through Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province.

I have been to Vietnam 3 times the past 4 years, first time via Guangzhou and the last 2 times directly from HK, all by plane.

(1) Guangzhou is in mainland China, so I believe ticket from Shanghai to Guangzhou is cheaper than that to Hong Kong;
(2) If you go to Guangzhou first, you can find out more about possibility from there to Vietnam.
(3) Frequent transportations between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
(4) The cheaper ticket to Saigon from HK is HKD1700 (around USD220), good for 5 days, seems reasonable even for one-way.

What’s your priority? Budget? After going through Guangzhou the first time, I decided to fly directly from HK. What I am trying to say is your idea of traveling by train is nice perhaps cheaper but pretty exhausting. I saved some money on the first trip but wasted 2 days.

I know what a traveler / backpacker is looking for but just try to give you another angle. Hope other people can give you more solid information like fares and border situation.

[alex]

Hi Vincent,
i've been tring to find what wold be easyand cheap way to get from Hanoi to Hong kong.. You said Saigon from HK is around USD220 but everything i found was nothing cheaper then USD500 btween Hanoi and HongKong. How much is a train ticket? Any chance i can have your email adress for more details? Mine is aleksandarpejic@hotmai..com Thanks