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Q: How long should I book train tickets in advance in the summer?
So I'm planning on a trip down south in August (Guilin-Yangshuo) though looking at the flights I'm thinking it's a lot cheaper to get a train. Plus, I've done a few overnight train journeys and China and quite enjoy them. For August, as it's summer, how soon should I think about booking?
10 years 43 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
You cannot buy train ticket in China earlier than 12 days before departure. It doesn't matter, you want ticket for 'peak times' traveling. Sometimes, they won't sell ticket 10 days before departure.
Chinese train schedule with stations and prices:
I went to Guilin last summer. August. They wouldn't let me buy the ticket more than 10 days in advance.
If you want to be absolutely sure to get to your destination you must fly as you can book those tickets now. Train as icnif77 says is only just about fortnight before departure you can book.
You do need to check the actual route for the train as there can be different booking times for different lines and types of train.
Thanks! Do you recommend booking online or at one of those windows?
icnif77:
I do it in person at the ticket window. If you are located in smaller city, you can buy ticket with departure from nearby bigger city.
Rin:
If you go to the 'train ticket office' agents, (they are dotted around everywhere.) You usually get a faster service with only a 5 RMB fee.
You could think about flying, I picked up a super cheap flight two weeks ago from Shijiazhuang to Kunming. It was only 100 more than the train ticket.
Sometimes there are long lines of people waiting to buy train tickets at train stations, and the wait could be measured in hours.....
I buy train tickets in advance sometimes 12 days prior, sometimes is 10 days. And I do not stand on any lines, I go to a local travel agency who also sells train tickets, and buy them there for 5 yuan over ticket price. They know me by now, I call on the phone, make the reservation (one agent speaks English), and pick the ticket later on. Remember you will need yourpassport to buy the ticket.
