Cabin types of Chinese trains
4 different tickets available for Chinese trains:
It is important to know what to expect if you decide to travel by train in China.
Deluxe Soft Sleeper Cabin
Deluxe Soft Sleeper = 2 berth per compartment (the deluxe soft sleeper between Beijing & Shanghai equipped with private washroom). Certain trains do not have deluxe soft sleeper, if you wish to have a private compartment on your own, simply book all 4 tickets in the compartment.
Soft Sleeper Cabin
There are four bunks in a compartment which has a door for privacy. Each bunk will have a blanket and pillow. Toilets are at the end of the carriage and may be a western toilet however they may not always be clean as they are used by people from other carriages. No toilet paper is provided in the bathrooms.
Hard Sleeper Cabin
There are six narrow bunks to a compartment that has no door so there is no privacy. They are usually very noisy and with a squat toilet at each end of the carriage. The condition of the toilet will get progressively worse as the journey progresses. Food trolleys pass back and forth along the train so it is possible to eat quite cheaply. A blanket and small pillow are supplied with each bunk.
Soft Seat Cabin
Soft Seat is available for city transfers between 1-4 hours and provides a better level of comfort. Soft Seat is quite comfortable inexpensive method of travel for a journey of a few hours. Many trains depart every 20 minute, and people like to use this convenient public transportation system. Highly recommend you to take a ride to visit small towns near Shanghai.
Hard Seat Cabin
Hard Seat is used by a large percentage of the population as it is probably the cheapest way to travel in China. Sitting only carriages, they are usually crowded and often more tickets are sold than there are seat available. In weekend and holidays, many people stand for hours on the journey, and it will be terribly crowded for Chinese New Year Holidays.
What is the Children ticket on the train?
Children under 110cm tall travel free, 110-140cm tall travel for half fare, over 140cm tall pay full fare.
How is the bathrooms on the China train?
The train is generally clean and comfortable. However, the bathrooms become a challenge. Each car has a small washroom at the front with 2 small sinks. Also, each car has 2 toilet rooms at the rear. The right room has a standard toilet while the left room has one of those “kneeling” units which is basically a hole in the floor. The bathrooms all start out clean, but as the trip wears on, the men tend to cover the toilets and floors with urine and spit.
Is there any hot water supply on the train?
There is plenty of hot water available but you need your own cups and napkins. Almost everyone brought a bowl of instant noodles with them.
How is the meal service on a China train?
They did sell little “lunch box” meals for dinner and breakfast you could eat in your cabins. They were surprisingly good. Car #9 is the dining car with a little bar area. We had dinner one night and the food was very good. However, it was crowded and you have to share your table with other people, also, they ran out of several dishes early. They served dinner from boarding until 9:30pm when “midnight snack” time started. The breakfast started at 7am.
Any power plugs on the train?
The Z-series train from Beijing to Shanghai has power plugs on it. Most of the traditional trains don’t have power plugs.