Train Beijing - Hong Kong
 

Hi, <BR> <BR>I am planning a trip to Beijing and Hong Kong in late October/ early November. We fly into Beijing and out of Hong Kong. What is the best way of travelling between the two places? <BR> <BR>Is it hard/expensive to get train tickets in Beijing? <BR> <BR>I was thinking of taking the train for the experience but if it is almost the same price as a flight it might be better to save the time and get to Hong Kong faster. <BR> <BR>I plan to stay one week in Beijing and one week in Hong Kong. <BR> <BR>Any hints and tips would be much appriciated. <BR> <BR>Nina

Hi Nina <BR> <BR>I would not recommend to take a train from Beijing to HK because the trip takes several days and chinese trains do not meet western expectations. It is possible if you speak some Mandarin but without knowing the language the trip won't be interesting. Tickes are available at the main station in Beijing but if you really plan to take the train you should make a reservation a few days in advance by your hotel concierge in Beijing becaus in general the trains in China are allways overbooked because people could not afford cars or flights. <BR> <BR>The best way in my opinion is to take the plane (ask for Dragonair, they are based in HK and are the best in Mainland China). I would also consider maybe a stopover in Shanghai because this city is absolutely trendy.

As far as this site shows,it takes only 29 hrs,costs 600HK dollars only,leaving <BR>Beijing 0912 arriving 1310 HK the next day.Try http://www.kcrc.com/eng/service/ipssts4.html. <BR>l wander why David says it takes several days??

The last posting but one is probably so inaccurate because China changes so quickly. Last year's news is old, and three years ago is ancient history. <BR> <BR>The timings given in the posting immediately above this one are correct, and the train number is T97. The price for 'hard sleeper' is HK$601, although it varies slightly according to whether you buy the bottom (xia), middle (zhong ) or top (shang) bunk--the higher the cheaper. <BR> <BR>'Hard sleeper' on this train, six berths in a doorless compartment , is of higher class than that in most other trains. 'Soft sleeper', four comfortable beds in a compartment with a door, is perfectly comfortable, and costs HK$934. The train also has a higher class still with only two beds in the compartment, for HK$1191. <BR> <BR>The food on the train is not of good quality, although its available both in the dining car and in cardboard packages brought through the train (Y20). It's best to take snacks. <BR> <BR>The only other annoyance is that at the border you much get off the train and take all your baggage for inspection--the customs and immigration officers do not board it. <BR> <BR>There's no need to book this train more than a few days in advance. You can book yourself up to four days ahead (including day of travel) at Beijing WEST Station, from where it departs. The office for tickets has an English sign and is up the escalators from the main entrance, and to your left. <BR> <BR>Alternatively you can book further in advance from the International Booking Office on the left of the lobby of the Beijing International Hotel. <BR> <BR>Peter N-H <BR>Information about Travel in China <BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

The information from Peter, N-H is correct. I took HongKong-Beijing trip in June. You can buy tickets 1 or 2 days in advance. My advise is to buy "sleeper seats", any sleeper. Food in the train isn't good. Look for tips on how to use public transportation from passplanet.com to have some ideas what it's like on a Chinese train. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip! <BR> <BR>Phong Nguyen