Changing trains - A simple question!

Changing trains - A simple question!
Jul 19, 2007 00:25
DEANO4284 Points: Join Date: Jul 19, 2007 Status: offline	Hi, Sorry if this is a question that has been asked a 1000 times!! I am travelling around China next month, and was wondering if overnight train journeys are going to be a problem. Do you need to change lines / trains in the middle of the night?? I will be travelling from Beijing >Xian > Yichang (River Cruise), Chongqing > Huaihua > Guilin > Shenzhen. Any tips on rail travel would be great, but I just want to know if I will need to stay awake just to keep track of which stations I pass! Many thanks guys.

Jul 19, 2007 00:25

DEANO4284
Points:
Join Date: Jul 19, 2007
Status: offline

Hi,

Sorry if this is a question that has been asked a 1000 times!!

I am travelling around China next month, and was wondering if overnight train journeys are going to be a problem.

Do you need to change lines / trains in the middle of the night??

I will be travelling from Beijing >Xian > Yichang (River Cruise), Chongqing > Huaihua > Guilin > Shenzhen.

Any tips on rail travel would be great, but I just want to know if I will need to stay awake just to keep track of which stations I pass!

Many thanks guys.

Jul 19, 2007 00:46

GRYOKAN
Points: 205
Join Date: Oct 21, 2006
Status: Offline

If you are travelling overnight, it is recommended that you get a sleeper. And the conductress will come to you personally when your station is near, to exchange your train ticket for a card that she would have given you at the beginning of your journey and will remind you to get ready to alight. Normally it is about 1/2 hour in advance, at least.
Am not sure whether they do this if you travel on hardseat - I know they announce the stations of arrival in Chinese in advance. You can ask your fellow passengers for help if you do not understand Chinese.
Advice - try the sleepers. They are more costly but more comfortable and private.

Jul 19, 2007 00:52	#2
DEANO4284 Points: Join Date: Jul 19, 2007 Status: Offline	Ok, that really helps - Many thanks!! I am just a bit concerned about having to change trains in the middle of the night to get to a final destination. I am sure it will be fine though.

Jul 19, 2007 02:02	#3
GRYOKAN Points: 205 Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Status: Offline	No, there is no need to change train - normally the trains go direct to your destination you purchase the ticket for.

Jul 19, 2007 19:43	#4
APAULT Points: Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Status: Offline	Trains run across an incredible matrix of cities. Go to the Trains Tab in TCG and check out some of the journeys you will do. And do get a sleeper or a soft seat. Hard seat sections may be packed out with standing passengers. Seats and sleepers are not actually hard, these days it's just the more densly packed class.

Jul 19, 2007 20:11	#5
BBQQ Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	If you buy the direct train, it will take you to your destination without any transfer.

Post a Reply to: Changing trains - A simple question!