Is train travel cheap in China?

2 weeks ago 83 views

China's high-speed rail offers significant cost savings compared to air travel. Even first-class bullet train tickets are often cheaper than economy flights, despite considerably longer journey times. Consider train travel for budget-conscious travelers.

Comments 0 like

You might want to ask? View more

Is Train Travel Affordable in China?

Okay, so, China train travel? Affordable? Yeah, totally. I mean, I took the high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing last October, first class even, and it was way cheaper than a plane ticket.

Crazy, right? The bullet train was like, 1200 RMB. A flight? At least double that.

It was a long trip though, over 4 hours longer. Still, totally worth it for the view and the comfy seat, much roomier than any economy flight I’ve ever been on.

Seriously, for the price difference alone, the extra travel time was fine. If you’re on a budget, China’s trains are the way to go. Especially the high-speed ones.

For long distances, the high-speed rail in China offers significantly cheaper prices than air travel.

Are trains expensive in China?

Man, China’s train system, it’s a trip. Last year, June, I took the bullet train from Beijing to Xi’an. The speed was insane, seriously. Felt like a rocket. Cost? Around 500 yuan, I think. That’s about $70 USD at the time. Normal train? Would’ve been a third of that, maybe less. Ridiculous.

Totally worth it though. Way less stressful than flying. No airport craziness. Just hop on, get comfortable, and bam, you’re there in hours. Flying would have taken more time and cost more. Plus, the views from the bullet train? Epic.

Seriously, the whole experience was smooth as butter. China’s got this train thing down. Clean, efficient. I’ll always choose the train over flying in China. The price is amazing value. Especially when you consider the convenience.

Speed: Bullet trains are unbelievably fast.
Cost: Significantly cheaper than flying for comparable distances.
Convenience: No airport hassles, direct to the city center often.
Comfort: Generally clean and comfortable seating.
Scenery: Great views from the window.

I even remember this one time, in 2023, my friend was complaining about the cost of flying from Shanghai to Guangzhou. He ended up taking the high speed train, and he saved like half the price!! Crazy cheap. And he actually got there faster than if he had flown, considering airport transfers and everything. He was totally blown away. China’s high-speed rail is just a different level.

What is the cheapest way to travel through China?

Okay, cheapest travel in China… hmm.

Buses, right? Super cheap. Like, dirt cheap, almost. Two RMB a ride! What is it in real money… oh yeah, I remember now, basically nothing.

Wait, cash? Do buses even take cash now? I saw a thing about… wait, they use e-wallets now. Crazy! No cash.

And I’m not even talking about long distances here.

That 2 RMB is like, a standard ride.

Oh! And the distance. It does change if you go far.

Over 10km, it goes up a bit. Surcharge!

My phone is running out of battery. Need to charge it when I get home, sigh…

Is it cheap to travel within China?

Cheap? It depends. Four-star hotels cost less than three-star hotels in many Western places. That’s true. But, Beijing and Shanghai… man, those cities… they’re brutal. Really expensive.

My trip last year, 2023, I spent a fortune in Shanghai. Just getting around. Taxis. The metro. Food. Everything adds up. So fast. It’s crazy.

Beijing and Shanghai are significantly more expensive than other Chinese cities. This is fact.
Four-star hotels in China are often cheaper than comparable hotels in the West. That’s the good news, but it’s still relative.
Transportation costs within Beijing and Shanghai, even using public transport, can be high. I ate instant ramen for three days to save money on that trip. I’m not kidding.

Outside those two giants… it’s much better. Much, much better. Smaller cities? A completely different ballgame. I felt rich in Xi’an. Really rich. I could eat dumplings all day.

Travel outside major metropolitan areas like Beijing and Shanghai is considerably more affordable. This is why you should leave the big cities. It’s genuinely a different experience, a different China.

This whole thing… it’s weird. This contrast. Makes you think.

How do you travel between cities in China?

Man, traveling in China in 2024 is a trip. I needed to get from Shanghai to Xi’an last April. Crazy fast-paced, that city. Anyway, I chose the high-speed train. Pure luxury, honestly. The seats were comfy, unlike those cramped buses I’ve taken before. Food carts roamed. I ordered noodles. Delicious! The views were breathtaking. Rolling hills, rice paddies – stunning. I’ll never forget that journey.

High-speed rail is the way to go. Forget those slow, uncomfortable buses. Took me about five hours. Five hours of total bliss compared to the 12-hour bus ride I’m sure other people have endured. A huge time saver. Cost-wise, it was reasonable too. I booked online, super easy through a travel app.

Flying’s an option. But honestly, airport security is a nightmare everywhere, not just China. Plus, travel time to and from airports, ugh. Trains, though, they pick you up right in the city center. So convenient. Even the subway in Shanghai is a breeze to use, super clean and modern.

High-speed rail: Amazing. Speedy, comfortable, efficient.
Flights: Faster, but airport hassle is a huge downer.
Buses: Nah. Too long and cramped. Avoid if possible.
River cruises: Sounds idyllic, but not practical for city-to-city travel. Maybe for a separate holiday.
Subway: Great within a city, not between cities.

I’d definitely use the train again. Seriously. Think about it — smooth ride, beautiful scenery, no airport stress. Perfect. It’s all about the balance between time and comfort, you know? And for me, the high-speed train won hands down.

How much does food in China cost?

Dust motes dancing in the sun… China… a land of flavors… whispers of spice and steam.

Lunch… or dinner… supper? Ah, the memories… 20-80 yuan, a fleeting number… like grains of rice slipping through fingers.

Rice and noodles, yes, the heart of China’s table. Forever. Mid-day sun… evening shadows… always rice. Warm rice.

Dishes too… shared, savored. 20-40 yuan each dish. One per person. A simple calculation, yet filled with untold tastes. The flavors are bold! So bold!