China Travel Forum

[Trav]

I've searched the LP and about 100 other sites to find the answer and I just cannot find this information - time to create a thread and ask those with the experience to help.

How long is a bed on a sleeper train in China? I am trying to work out the cost/benefit differences between soft and hard sleeper and was wondering if there's any difference in bed length. Being a tall fellow (6'4") this is important to me. I am prepared to bend my knees, of course, but I'd like to know if I am going to spend the night in the foetal position kissing my toes or if there's a bit more room.

Anyone ever measured it? Or the same height and can offer first-hand experience?

[Vevel]

I can help shed a little light on this topic for you... I'm 6'2" and I didn't find them to be that bad. The biggest problem I had in China was on a sleeper bus, as you quite literally get a 5'8" cubby hole that sealed at both ends. At 6'4" you probably won't get the best night sleep you ever had on the trains but I found that if I took a top bunk I could stick me feet out into the walkway without too many people bumping into them. This does however put you very close to the speakers, which spew noise for a lot of the time.

Another option is to take the bottom bunk, which gives you more headroom and allows you to sleep in a sort of sitting up/leaning back position. Although by opting for this one you'll be disturbed more by people trying to sit on your bed and strike up a conversation the second the lights go on.

I guess it would depend on how you think you might be more comfortable - it's also worth bearing in mind that the bunks aren't that wide - I found going for the bottom bunk easier as I'm stick thin and it worked okay for me. Also means you kind of have run of the floor space between the beds. If you a wider frame you might want to look into the soft sleepers. Either way at your height I'd stay away from the middle bunks...

[rock]

Vevel is right.

Also keep in mind that during the daytime chinese people use the bottom bunk for sitting on. so as long as you don't mind sharing your space with everyone, go bottom bunk.