How to Take Train in China?

The most affordable and easiest means of travel, whether within the city or out of one city to another one in China, is mainly done through “Trains”. But it might be little difficult for people who are new in China. The tourists or other foreign travelers need guidance on how to buy the ticket for trains and to take the train to China so that they can avoid any inconvenience. The foreign passengers can get train tickets online from any china traveling agency, China railway station website, and direct purchase from the railway or reserving the ticket through China Railway Station Hotline. To get a ticket they need a valid ID, which is either passport or travel permit.

How to “Not” Miss the Train in China?

Traveling in China by trains is easy but the foreigners might need to pay a little more attention. As there are many departure stations within a single city and there is a great distance between most of the stations. Therefore, foreign passengers need to pay extra attention. All you need to follow some simple steps. And you’ll be good to travel to China Trains. Here is the list of steps which you need to follow:

Step 1: Read You Departure Ticket Attentively

As there are many departure stations in China therefore before leaving for the station read your ticket attentively and confirm your departure station. Check the departure time and date, your carriage and berth number. It will prevent the risk of missing the train.

Step 2: Set off for Railway-station an Hour Ago

It is very important to reach the departure station on time. When you are leaving for the station make sure that you have some extra time of about 1 or 1.5 hours on hand. If you reach on to the departure station an hour early, it will prevent the risk of train miss. In case you reach the wrong station, you’ll have enough time to reach the right station on time and catch your train.

Step 3: Enter the Station and Go Through Security Checks

Once you reached the station, follow the entrance signs or the passengers flow to board inside the entrance. At the entrance, you need to pass through the security checks. To enter the station you must have the ticket, baggage allowance and you’re valid ID i.e. either your passport or traveling permit.

Step 4: Reach Out to the Waiting Room

Just as there are many departure stations in China, similarly there are multiple waiting rooms inside every single departure station. For every train number, there is a different waiting room. You can find your waiting room by checking the train number and its corresponding waiting room on the Large LED Screen behind the security check inside the entrance hall.

Step 5: Check-in

Do check-in before time in the intermediate station and other. In an intermediate station, the passengers have only three to five minutes check-in time. In other cases, the check-in begins thirty minutes earlier and ends 5 minutes before the departure. The blue ticks are checked automatically via the ticket machines. On the other hands, the pink ticks are checked manually by the railway staff.

Step 6: Keep you Ticket even After Checking-in

Even after you are checked-in never miss or lose your train ticket. This is because the train tickets are also checked during the train trip once or twice depending on traveling distance. At the end of the trip, you will also need the ticket to get out of the station ad it is checked at the exit gate.

Step 7: Get to Your Platform and Board on

After your ticket is checked reach to your platform through stairs or escalators by following the LED boards. At the platform you’ll find two trains at the same time on different tracks confirm your carriage number and board on the train and settle in your seat/sleeper to begin your trip.

How to Switch the Trains in a Connecting Trip?

If you trip has more than one connecting trains then you need to have the paper tickets. You will require the paper tickets at the start of your trip. You do not need to get out of the station or renter it to get your connecting train. Just follow the LED signs and reach for your next train. You need to be quick as the connecting trains stop only for few minutes at intermediate stations.