If you're travelling to China, one of the best ways to get around the country is to take the train. It’s one of the most efficient and affordable ways - plus you get to see loads of the country as you zip between cities.

Whilst I actively avoid taking the train in the UK, as it is expensive and the trains are often cancelled or there are strikes. In China, it is smooth, relaxing, and they are pretty much always on time – thanks to many travelling at a speed of around 300 km/h

I know it can seem daunting getting public transport like this in a different country, but don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. This post will help you have a smooth and stress-free rail adventure. Just sit back and relax!

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What type of train should I get?

This depends on how fast you want to travel to your destination, how comfortable you want your journey to be and what price you want to pay.

China’s trains generally fit into two categories:

High-speed or Bullet Trains (G, D and C trains)‍ ‍

These are the white aerodynamic style that you will see all over the country. They can reach speeds of 350 km/h to cover a lot of distance quickly. They are modern and futuristic inside, and one of the best ways to get around the country.

For shorter distances like Beijing to Shanghai, I would always choose the high-speed train, as from door to door it can work out quicker than flying. For destinations further afield, you need to weigh up how long you would want to spend on the train and if it is worth a day of travel, etc.

D trains go a bit slower as they are overnight high-speed trains, but they still travel faster than the regular trains.

Regular Trains (K, T, Z, L, Y, S)‍ ‍

You will recognise these trains from their green and yellow exteriors. These trains are slower and more leisurely. They often have more basic amenities.

The seats are a bit different on these trains, so check your booking. As many are also overnight or sleeper trains you might book a bunk instead of a seat or vice versa.

For shorter distances, a seat will do, but if you are travelling for a while, then you might fancy a nap in a bunk or even save on a hotel by getting the train overnight.

Which seats to book?

High-speed trains

2nd class seats

These are the cheapest options on an HST, but don’t let that fool you, they are actually pretty roomy. You have a lot more space than you would on a flight. The seats recline, they are pretty comfy, and you have plenty of legroom. Everyone has a table, and there are charging points underneath the seats.

The seats are laid out a bit like an aeroplane and usually have rows of three on one side and rows of two on the other. There are large overhead luggage areas to fit smaller bags and weekend suitcases, and at the end of each carriage is space for larger luggage.

There is usually a Western-style toilet and a squat-style toilet at the end of each carriage, as well as a sink and access to a hot water tap – perfect for some instant noodles.

1st class seats

These are wider, comfier and of course more expensive. In the first-class carriage, you have more space, there are fewer people in the carriage as the seats are in rows of two and it is a more enjoyable experience. Sometimes you even get a free snack like you would on a flight.

We have tested out the 1st class seats on shorter journeys where the price wasn’t too high. They do make for a nicer journey if you can afford it but honestly, the 2nd class seats feel like an upgrade to any flight, so for me, they are enough.

Business Class Seats

These are the nicest seats you can get on the HST. They are equivalent to a first-class/business-class seat on a plane. The seats are really big and comfy, and recline all the way back so you can lie down.

The seats in this compartment are arranged in a row of two seats and one seat. I personally have never been able to afford to travel business class on a train, as they are about twice the price of first class. If you have, then feel free to let me know if it was worth it!

Overnight D

Soft Sleeper

These look pretty cool. They are a bit of an upgrade to the regular sleeper train cabins. The carriage is open, and the berths are arranged in twos like bunks on either side of the carriage parallel to the corridor. Whilst they open into the carriage, each bunk seems quite private. You have a curtain to pull shut, and each bunk comes with a small table, reading light and power socket. You can store luggage underneath the bottom berth.

As with any overnight train, I would highly recommend earplugs and an eye mask to try and get a good night’s sleep.

Regular trains

Hard seat

The seats are hard and can’t be adjusted. They are the cheapest sitting tickets you can find. They are usually quite busy and crowded with people who just buy a standing ticket. Sometimes the seats are facing each other with a small table in between.

The carriages are set out like the 2nd class HST with a row of 3 and 2 seats. Some of the regular trains might only have squat toilets on board and not Western-style toilets. I would generally avoid these seats if you have a journey that is over a few hours.

Soft seat

The soft seats are bigger with more room. Each carriage has seats in rows of two. Sometimes the seats are facing each other. These seats would be fine if you were doing a shorter trip, but if you are taking the regular train for a long time or overnight, then you would want a bed.

Hard sleeper

If you are taking an overnight train, then this is a real Chinese experience and one that is not for the faint-hearted. The carriage is open with the corridor on one side. There are a couple of fold-up seats beside the window and open sections with beds on the other side.

Each section of beds has 6 berths, 3 on each side. You access the berths via a ladder at the end, and it isn’t the easiest to get up and down if you are on the top section - I wouldn’t recommend it if you have mobility issues. If you are on the bottom berth, then you will find your bunkmates will sit on your bed until it is time to go to sleep, so not exactly the comfiest either. There is space underneath the bottom bunk to put luggage.

Soft sleeper

In the soft sleeper compartments, they have doors, so you will get a little bit of privacy. Because of this, there isn’t as much room for luggage and things. You will find 4 berths in each section, two on each side, like bunk beds. They are softer and comfier to sleep on and easier to access as they aren’t as high. The toilets are at the end of each carriage.

If you are travelling with friends, then this is a great option if you are all in the same section. Otherwise, you will be with strangers, so fingers crossed they don’t snore.

I have tried both the hard sleeper and soft, and although you save on a hotel and travel time, you don’t really get a good night’s sleep. It is definitely an experience, but unless you are a good sleeper anywhere, I would tend to avoid it so that you can spend your time exploring and feeling refreshed.

Deluxe sleeper

This is the most expensive sleeper option, and I’m not going to lie, we haven’t taken it before, so I can’t give you a personal recommendation, but it does look the best. Each cabin is private, you get two bunks in each cabin, a seating area and your own private bathroom.

This would be great if you were travelling as a couple or a small family, as you would get some privacy.

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How do I book train tickets in China?

Online

If you want to book your tickets in advance, then I would use Trip.com or 12306 China’s Railway website.

Unfortunately, you can only book train tickets two weeks in advance, so around public holidays, you need to be quick to snatch them up. With these websites, you can, however, reserve a ticket. This means when the tickets are released for that train, they will try to book them automatically for you, but there are no guarantees that you will get a ticket.

Top Tip: Set a reminder so you can go online and book your ticket.

Ticket office

You can buy tickets straight from the ticket office at the train station. You will need your passport for this, as you do with all your train bookings. The ticket office staff may not speak English, so you may need to use a translation app.

Apps

You can use the app version on your phone for the online ticket sites I mentioned above. On your Alipay app, you can book tickets, and it also uses the Trip.com and 12306 apps to book. Or you can hop onto your WeChat account to book train tickets.

I would have a tendency to book in advance rather than go to a ticket office, as then you are guaranteed a ticket. Once you buy it is linked to your passport, so you don’t need a physical ticket, and so the process is really easy.

Getting a train in China

Most train stations in China are massive and have a lot of amenities. It can be a little confusing as some have multiple floors, but the signs are usually in Chinese and English.

There is always a ticket check before you go in, so make sure you have bought one, and there is always a security check, like at an airport. This can take a while if it is busy, so make sure you leave plenty of time to get your train. I would arrive about 30 - 60 minutes before your train departs.

If you have bought your ticket online or via an app, you don’t need a physical ticket; it is linked to your passport. When you hand your passport to security, they can see the ticket. Make sure you go to the booth with the physical guard, as self-service ticket checkers don’t usually work for passports.

Once through security, you can check the departure board for your train number and gate – this will also be on your app if you used this method.

Sometimes there are gates on opposite sides of the waiting area. These lead to the same place but different areas of the train, so try to check which side corresponds with your ticket so you don’t have to walk the length of the platform.

There are usually restaurants, coffee shops and mini markets in the stations so you can get food and snacks for your journey. If you have time to spare, then I would head to one of the comfy-looking massage chairs that are dotted around most stations. For a small fee, you can get a massage whilst you wait.

Pay attention to the gate; boarding starts about 15 minutes before departure. You will see when it is time to board as the destination light turns green, and there is a huge queue to get through the gates, which will start moving.

As a foreigner, be aware that you can’t use the normal machines to get through these boarding gates. Look at the line and go to the side where there is a person at the gate they will assist you to get through. This lane is usually for foreigners, people with actual tickets, families, etc. Just hand them your passport, and you will be good to go.

When you get to the platform, the train can be super long, so make sure you know which carriage and seat you are on so you can find your designated seat quickly.

Boarding and getting on and off the train are always a bit chaotic as it moves quite fast but efficiently.

Time to relax

Once you’re on the train, settle in and relax! Chinese trains are generally very clean, punctual, and modern. As you would on a flight, bring what you need in a small bag and pack your bigger luggage elsewhere in the carriage.

You can usually find food and drinks on the train, but the choice might be limited. A trolley comes through selling snacks, but we usually like to be prepared and bring snacks and instant noodles with us. You can get hot water in every carriage, so this is a good option if you want a hot meal.

Another way to get food on the train is you can use the QR code on your seat and order food from certain train stations. I haven’t tried this myself, but I know it is possible. So, if you fancy a McDonald’s, you can order it and the train staff will bring it to your seat.

There are no rules when it comes to eating food on a train in China, so be prepared if you are sensitive to food smells.

Top tips:

Bring headphones – Trains in China can be quite noisy as a lot of older people watch Douyin (Chinese TikTok) on their phones quite loudly without headphones.

Earplugs and an eye mask – If you want to sleep, then these will help.

Tissues and hand sanitiser – I recommend carrying these everywhere in China with you, as you never know when you’ll need them.

Keep your chargers handy – There are plugs underneath the seat so you can keep your devices fully charged.

Download what you need – WIFI is usually available, but it might not be the strongest. Just in case, make sure you download any entertainment you might want beforehand.

Arriving at your destination

If you are the last stop on your train, then you don’t need to rush, but if you are a stop along the way, then take notice of what time you are due to arrive. Make sure you have your things packed up and get your luggage before the stop - the trains don’t wait long at each station.

When you exit, you usually have to show your passport (ticket) to get out of the station. Again, look for the manned gate as they will help you through the barriers if your passport doesn’t work.

Once you have arrived at your destination, you need to figure out how you will get to your hotel or wherever you are headed.

If you are in a big city, then there are usually metros, buses and taxis. If you are getting a taxi, then make sure you have your location written in Chinese for the taxi driver. If you have the Didi (ride-sharing app), then you can input it straight into the app.

In some stations, there aren’t always designated areas to get a Didi; look for the ‘ride-hailing’ area, as this is where you should go. Be prepared that the driver may ring you if you are getting a Didi. If you don’t speak Chinese, this can be a little bit stressful and hard to explain. There is a messaging function on the app, which translates the messages; take a photo to send them your location instead.

Using the train in China is one of the most enjoyable and efficient ways to travel around the country. I generally find it less stressful than flying, and you get to see the landscape whizz by.

If you aren’t travelling over a public holiday and can be a bit flexible with your travel times and days, then the train is the way to go!