06 May 2024
One Way

China Railways

3.7
15 customer reviews
  • Reviews

About China Railways

China Railways offers straightforward and hassle-free online booking of train tickets with 12Gо. Other travellers’ reviews will help you plan the route and choose the ticket class that suits you best. Take a train to give your journey an old-school flavour with an overnight long-haul sleeper or add a super modern twist by jumping on a highspeed express that will reach your destination in a whisk. Railway travel is always full of character and emotions. Mingle with fellow passengers or opt for a private high-end compartment. China Railways offers a bunch of choices to make your experience unforgettable and enjoyable. Be sure to double-check the date of your travel, fare, type of your ticket, and other conditions and restrictions before you confirm your booking.

China Railways Popular Stations

China Railways’s route map features the following stations:

  • Gia Lam

China Railways Top Destinations

Here is the list of routes covered by China Railways which are always in high demand with the travellers:

China Railways Ticket Prices & Train Classes

To get most of your train ride to choose the class of your ticket wisely. Consider the length of your trip, the time of the day, and your own preferences. For longer travels by night, first or second-class tickets in a sleeper coach might be the best solution. Both options allow you to sleep your night away as comfortably as it gets on a train and save the precious daytime of your vacation. Note that sometimes first-class tickets cannot be booked for short couple-of-hours trips on a longer itinerary. They are often reserved for travellers who cover the whole route from departure to the terminal station. Yet second-class sleepers of sometimes soft seats are a decent alternative if 4-5 hours bring you to your point B. Check what is included in the price. Linen and towels may or may not be provided for overnight trips as water, snacks, or toiletries. It is always a good idea to bring some layers on board as air-conditioning or heating may fail to meet your standards.

Travel by Train: Pros & Cons

Pros of Train Travel

  • Railway travel is an ideal solution to beat traffic. While delays are sometimes possible for various reasons, in general, neither rush-hour, long weekends nor high season fever will ruin your timing with railways.
  • Online booking of railway tickets saves you a lot of time. For many destinations, tickets can be booked as long as 90 days before your travel date which brings planning to a new level. Yet last-minute deals are often available, too. There is no need to go to the train station to book either – do it wherever you want.
  • In many cases, train tickets are much more affordable than air tickets. On certain routes, the length of travel by high-speed trains equals or even beats air travel if you consider the time you spend in the airport for check-in and going through security and/or customs formalities.
  • Very often, railway stations are located in the center of the city. It saves you a lot of time to reach your accommodation. Older railway stations often have the added bonus of being super atmospheric occupying historical buildings. Travelling to/from such stations can be considered a worthy point of your whole travel plan.
  • Besides saving you daytime for other more enjoyable things, a night on a train is a good way to cut your hotel expenses. If it is a sleeper you opt for, you may expect to sleep quite well, too. Well, better than on a sleeper bus for sure!
  • There are luxury trains serving some routes, and it is definitely an experience to try at least once in your life.

Cons of Train Travel

  • The longer the distance – the longer the train ride, and if you have to cover a considerable mileage, it will be very time-consuming. So sometimes air travel is a better alternative even if costlier.
  • Connections with your onward transport should be planned with extra care. Though the timetables are normally set, delays and cancellations are always possible due to a variety of reasons. Another thing to consider is the location of the station where your train arrives or departs from. There is more than one train station in certain cities and locations, which sometimes causes confusion.
  • One of the most common complaints about trains on certain routes is cleanliness. It mostly concerns the cheapest class coaches and toilets.
  • Stops are not always clearly announced or marked during some train trips. Electronic screens do solve this issue easily but are not present everywhere. So ensure you track your stop with GPS or just ask a conductor if any.
Read more

China Railways Company Reviews

3.7
15 customer reviews
5
20%
4
40%
3
33%
2
7%
1
0%
J
3
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Dec 16, 2019
I’ve read other reviews of this trip & seen that several people have had a similar negative experience to me-I was told that a rep would meet me at Gia Lam station to give me my train ticket an hour before the journey-this didn’t happen; I couldn’t find the rep. I tried calling the 24 hour helpline-no one answered! Eventually, with help, I managed to work out that a woman working in the shop opposite the station knew who was supposed to deliver my ticket. She told me to wait. After waiting to just before the train was due to go she took me over to the station and got the woman behind the ticket counter to issue me with a ticket! I was then able to catch the train. This process was extremely stressful and confusing, to say the least. 12go Asia need to make sure this particular procedure (getting ticket for train from Gia Lam) is greatly improved for future customers.
A
5
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Nov 5, 2019
Very comfortable carriage. Border crossings were quick.
R
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Aug 29, 2019
While these journeys always have the potential for confusion it was easily avoided by the 12Go representative. He was early, sought us out and managed our departure through to the arrival at our compartment, and gave a hand with the luggage. The trip aligned with expectations - old rail equipment, challenging border crossings (2) and train running late; but this is just part of the experience and was easily put into the past when we travelled by the high speed trains ex Nanning. We strongly recommend 12Go Asia.
N
3
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Aug 1, 2019
A very money conscious way to get to and from Hanoi, the stops were a bit of an inconvenience but they are essential border control measures so it was understandable! The facilities were standard, the toilets could’ve been slightly improved and the socket next to my bed didn’t work but the bed was comfy!
N
2
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Jun 11, 2019
On the email I received said there would be a representative there to provide the ticket, I arrived well before an hour ahead and no one showed up, I was lucky enough after alot of confusion the staff gave me a ticket. As previously mentioned in other comments the carriages are worn down compared to the Vietnamese trains. There was only one power socket that didn't work and the beds uncomfortable. The border crossing is very long and painful, don't expect to sleep on the train. That said the staff try to help as much as possible.
W
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Mar 10, 2019
Very helpful staff on train. Very comfortable compartments. We did however end up in Guilin main station and not Guilin West as on the ticket, but that suited us just fine
J
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Feb 25, 2019
Ticket agent was at the station before I arrived about one hour early. He even found me before I started looking for him. Since the company does a group ticket, you never actually get a ticket and he just shows your ticket to the train conductors. It seems there is a bunch of confusion right before your board the train but it ends up ok. The train ride itself is ok. The 1st class sleepers are more run down compared to the Vietnam railway 1st class sleeper, but still comfortable especially since the condition of the rails on the Chinese side are much better. There was only one power socket in our cabin to be shared with 4 people, and it DIDN'T WORK. so make sure your devices are charged. Also during the time the train is crossing the border, you are NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE RESTROOM. Make sure you go to the toilet before the train stops at the border because it will be HOURS before you will be able to use it again. The border crossing itself was one of the most inefficient and horrible border crossings I've ever experienced. As stated before, you have to get out of bed and get all your bags and exit the train to get stamped out of Vietnam, then get back on the train. The train will sit for an hour still after everyone has returned. Just enough time to fall back asleep and then you again have to take your bags and exit the train to enter China. There is no e-channel at this Chinese border crossing. The train arrives at the Vietnam border gate before 1am and then at the China border gate around 4am. Only after you return to the train after entering China do you have a chance to sleep for a few hours without interruption. If you are hoping for a relaxed sleeper train trip as the other sleeper trains are in Vietnam, this is not it. But it's still an interesting experience, but not sure if I would want to repeat it.
H
5
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Jun 28, 2018
The trip was very easy, the tickets were at the desk in the station and the train ran to time. The beds were very comfy.
T
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Feb 9, 2018
Receiving the voucher and meeting the representative at Hanoi went smooth. I was concerned about meeting the representative at Hanoi train station waiting room due to some comments that they were late but our representative was their one hour prior to departure as advised. Why my score is not a five because of the hokey ticketing process. Instructions say meet the representative and exchange your voucher for the tickets. This not the case. Our tickets are a group of seven so it is not organized. You have to get on the train with a group ticket the conductor hands out the boarding card then everyone in the group is arguing over which room and bed they want. Not everyone in the world is polite and courteous so this process doesn’t work well. I don’t understand why they just don’t buy the individual tickets and hand them out in the waiting room. I’m guessing they get a discount by buying a group ticket so good for them but not good for the traveler.
N
3
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Aug 30, 2017
Train itself was comfortable and convenient. However, the staff responsible of passing me my ticket at the station did not have my details and did not speak English very well. He didn't have my details and when I asked if he was working with 12go, he said no which caused a lot of confusion for me and some unnecessary panic. It took him a few calls to finally confirm that he was supposed to pass me the ticket.
E
3
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Feb 17, 2017
Train was ok, a little old and worn down, but sheets were clean. Staff was very nice and helpful (even though they only know Chinese). In total it will take around 5 hours crossing the border! HUGE DOWNPOINT: the guy bringing us the tickets appeared 20 minutes before the train left, though the ticket stated he will be there 2 hours (!) before. The other passengers were already entering the train so we only made it last minute. We had a little panic attack thinking we wouldn't make the train and therefore not leaving the country before the visa expires.
W
3
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Jan 14, 2017
Sheets and Bed very clean! Staff nice, helpful. Two stops at 1am and 3.30am with all luggage getting out, but that 's not the fault of the train. Unfortunately no food and drinks in train, no restaurant no vendors.
D
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Jan 6, 2017
The beds were fine, also the toilets en restrooms. Around 01.00 en 04.00 we have to go out of the train before check our pasports en lugage. We didn"t know that. So we sleep not so much this night.
D
5
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Jan 6, 2019
A
4
Train #MR1 VIP Sleeper 4x, China Railways, Dec 12, 2018