Buying Train Tickets in China
Hard and Soft Sleepers, Deluxe Births from Hong Kong to Beijing
What is the difference between a hard sleeper and a soft sleeper? What about a hard seat and a soft sleep? Find out what it is really like before buying your ticket.
What can you really expect when traveling on the train in China? Which type of ticket should you buy? Should I buy the cheapest? What is the difference between a hard sleeper and a soft sleeper?
Hard Seats
Hard seats, are exactly that. At the very bottom of all train tickets are the non-air conditioned Hard Seats. Be prepared to be crammed into a very old, run down, dirty, non-air conditioned compartment. These trains take extra long to get where ever you’re going. Two people are assigned per bench, and the benches face each other The locals that travel on these hard seats have not seen many foreigners, therefore they will be curious and stare more intensely thank usual.
The air conditioned hard seats are sometimes better. If you get a newer train then they are like long-distance coach seats. These soft seats are also much like the seats in long-distance coach seats. There is not a lot of luggage storage room. You can put it above the seats or keep it by your feet, though it maybe quite cramped. The hard sleepers are divided into compartments of 6 berths each, 3 beds on each side. Most people like the bottom sleeper because it has the most room. You can sit up and obviously, it’s most easily accessed. But the problem is you may have a lot of people sitting on it. Those on the second and third bunks cannot sit up in their bunks, and if the two seats by the window are taken up, they will choose your bed to sit on. So if you don’t like strangers sitting on your bed, eating and chatting the ride away, don’t choose the bottom bunk. Otherwise travel with a few friends so you can occupy the entire bottom space. The soft sleeper beds are the same beds as the hard sleepers, except there are only 4 berths per compartment. Also they are cleaner. There is a door that closes and a light that you can control. The deluxe soft sleepers are of course the most peaceful way to travel. A compartment with only 2 berths, you are free to enjoy your trip entirely. These compartments are only offered on a few trains, such as the direct train from Hong Kong to Beijing. I Many new trains are being built and used, so some of the trains going to and from the bigger cities are extremely nice (not quite luxurious, but nice). They are clean and comfortable, no matter which type of ticket you buy.
