How to Choose a Train Type and Seat Class

China has the world's largest and most advanced railway system. Choose your destination, buy a ticket and start your journey. This sounds like a very simple thing, but you may be confused by the variety of tickets. So check out this page – we'll help you choose the one that works best for you.

Type of Chinese Train

The names of Chinese trains are usually a combination of capital letters and numbers, with the initial capital letter representing the type of train. Depending on the speed, trains can be divided into two categories: high-speed trains and ordinary ones. Here is a list of the six most common types of trains that cover almost every possible choice you can make on your trip:

High-Speed Train

Express Train

Slowest Train

What's more:

High-Speed Train

Fast, comfortable and safe, high-speed trains are the most popular choice among travelers. China has an advanced high-speed railway network that allows you to get to almost any popular destination you want with a more affordable fare than airplanes. High-speed rail stations are usually closer to the city center than airports.

About the Seat

High-speed trains have 4 classes of seat – second class, first class, VIP class and business class. The second class is basic and business class is the best. The most popular of these seat types are the first and second class seats, which are available in all models and are economical. Ticket prices on China's high-speed trains are based on the length of the journey, and the price difference between higher-class seats and lower-class seats on short trips is not large.

Second Class

Second Class is the most popular choice, with the most affordable price. The seat carriage has five chairs in a row – two on one side of the aisle and three on the other. The seat materials are slightly elastic and basically comfortable. It is highly recommended for a short train tour that is less than 4 hours.

There is room for small pieces of luggage in the overhead bins and under the seats. Large luggage can be put on the rack at the end of the carriage. Assistance devices are placed around the seat, such as a folding tray table, seat back adjustment, book grid, spare bag, and charging port.

Tips：As the most commonly chosen seat type, you may find the cabins are very crowded and noisy, especially during Chinese holiday seasons.

First Class

First class is an upgraded version of second class, with more comfortable seats, wider personal space and less crowded carriages. The seat carriage has four seats in each row, two on each side. The seat can be reclined at a greater angle than the second class seats, making it more comfortable to lie down. The toilets in the first class carriage are spacious and bright, and have toilets for the disabled.

Many people agree first class seats on the High Speed trains are more comfortable than economy class in an airplane. First class seats cost about a third more than second class seats. On some busy routes, a first-class seat is a good choice, allowing you to avoid the noise and have a more comfortable journey.

VIP Class

This is available on a few D and G trains, and offers greater comfort, wider personal space and a more private journey experience. There are three seats in each row, two on one side and one on another. Usually, the VIP seats are located at the front and rear of the train, so they are also called "sightseeing areas" where passengers can enjoy the scenery from the driver's perspective. Meanwhile, the VIP seats occupants also enjoy free snacks and drinks.

Business Class

The business class seat is the highest seat class on the high-speed train. It is designed to provide the best facilities and service for passengers. The comfortable egg-shaped seats can be adjusted at any angle and can be laid flat like a bed at 180°. There are only two seats in the row of business class, one on each side, next to the windows.

Every seat in the business class is equipped with a separate flat-screen TV, reading light, charging socket, and call bell. Disposable slippers and magazines located on the side of the seat, and all kinds of drinks and snacks are provided freely. Luxury treats! The business class carriages are also equipped with a bar and separate lavatory. VIP lounge and privilege access is available.

The high standard of enjoyment is certainly matched by its price, so the ticket price of a business seat is usually three times more than a second class seat.

Soft Sleeper

Each sleeper carriage has 10 compartments, each compartment has 4 beds, and a sliding door separates the compartment from the corridor. The sleeper car has a larger trunk than the seat carriages, the bed is wider than the sleeper in normal trains, and provides a more comfortable travel experience. A constant temperature of 24°-26° is maintained in the compartment. The air volume of the air conditioner can be adjusted separately in each sleeper compartment. There is a communal hot water kettle, and each berth is equipped with disposable slippers, LCD screens, reading lights and headphones. If you need to take a long train journey (more than five hours) and especially if you need to stay overnight, a sleeper is the best choice.

Lavatory

Dining

Ordinary Trains

In China, ordinary trains are defined as trains traveling at a speed under 160 km/h. With their low fares (about half of high-speed train's second class) and big capacity, these trains are widely popular too. One notable feature of these trains is their military green shells, so that the Chinese like to call them "Green Trains". The interior of an ordinary train is mostly practical with low comfort, but it can carry a lot of passengers and goods. Ordinary trains have more stops than high-speed trains, and can reach areas and small towns without high-speed rail. If you prefer a slower pace, wanting to enjoy the scenery along the way, and are less concerned about speed and comfort, this would be the right choice. You can even spend the night on the train.
*Read more about taking overnight trains in China

About the Seat

Hard Seat (not recommended)

The hard seat carriage has five seats in each row; two seats and three seats are separated by an aisle. But the seats in every two adjacent rows face each other and two tray tables place below the windows of each side. The hard seat carriages also sell "Standing" tickets, so at peak times the carriages are cluttered with people, poor hygiene, undesirable environment and less comfort. You may meet people who eat pungent noodles, talk loudly, and smoke or have body odor. Be prepared mentally and physically, and take something to kill time.

Soft Seat

In a soft seat carriage, the train seats have armrests and a back that automatically adjusts. The soft seats are more comfortable than the hard seats with 2+2 layout – four seats in each row, two on each side. Soft seat cars only allow people with the corresponding ticket of the seats to enter, avoiding the noise and chaos of hard seats. If you want to experience Ordinary Trains, soft seats are recommended.

Tips: Smoking is not allowed in the soft seat carriage. There is a smoking area at the junction between carriages.

Hard Sleeper

This is the cheapest type of sleeper, low comfort, and not recommended to try. There are 6 bunks in each compartment, each carriage has 11 compartments, and no door separates the compartment from the corridor. Each bed is only 60 centimeters wide, the aisles are narrow, and it is difficult to sit on beds in the middle and top bunk. In fact, if you are the lucky person with the bottom bunk, everyone else comes and sits on your bunk when they are not sleeping.

Soft Sleeper

The soft sleeper costs about twice as much as the hard sleeper. The upper bunk is slightly cheaper, but they both have enough space to sit up in. Each sleeper carriage has 9 compartments, each compartment has 4 beds, and a sliding door separates the compartment from the corridor. You will have more security and privacy than in a hard sleeper carriage. Soft sleeper is recommended for any long-haul overnight train journey.

Deluxe Soft Sleeper

This is the most comfortable option on the ordinary train, which only offers luxurious sleeping berths on a few train routes, including some special tourist trains, which have different comfort and service from the ordinary train, as well as high ticket prices. Typically, each compartment in a luxury soft sleeper has only two beds and sofas. It is a perfect choice for honeymoon travel or family travel.

Lavatory

Dining

Luggage Policy

1. You need take care of your luggage by yourself.

2. The free luggage weight and volume:

3. Folding wheelchairs, which are free to carry, are not included in the above range.

• How to Take a Train in China
• How to Choose a Train Type and Seat Class
• How to Read a Train Ticket
• FAQ About Chinese Trains
• Top Ideas for Train Travel
• What is a Chinese Overnight Train Like?
• Interesting and Fun Facts about Trains in China
• Maglev Trains in China
• China High Speed Rail
• China High-Speed Train: Change the Way We Travel