China Travel Forum

[kadir]

I am trying to find a way to get a ticket by train to Suzhou from Sahnghai and back. I am new comer and have a limited time to make the Journey. Can Anyone tell me how to find out the costs and when the trains run?

[THE ONE]

I imagine you have got to Suzhou by now... but for the benefit of others who find this site with the same question; trains between Shanghai and Suzhou are very frequent throughout the day and night.
the 'T' trains are deluxe and soft seats, airconditioned and comfortable, and also the fastest making the 86km in between 38 minutes to 50 minutes depending on whether there is a stop in Kunshan - the fare for 'T' trains is RMB 22.
the 'K' trains, also air conditioned and take close to 60 minutes for a fare of RMB 15. And lastly, the 'number only trains' (usually a 4 digit number e.g. 2306) are slow (75 minutes) and cheap (RMB 9) and usually run between midnight and 6am. To get a ticket, you can go the the Shanghai Train Station where they have an 'English Speaking' window in the ticket office.
if your plan requires a more definite time, and if you want to know the time in advance, get your hotel consierge to order the ticket which will add a RMB50 service fee to the cost (but it is very convenient). If your hotel does not have a consierge, the reception staff may still be able to help you... or at least tell you where the nearest ticket office is in the city. Most travel agents sell train tickets. The train service is good throughout China - they also have super deluxe express ('Z') trains between a selection of major cities such as Shanghai to Beijing for about RMB500 each way for the 12 hour trip; all seats are soft sleepers (4 persons to a room) and the beer in the restaurant car is 'cold'!!