🚄 Chinese train stations. What helped me navigate!
After several trips around China, I've compiled some tips for myself (and for you) that I plan to follow while traveling to make navigating China's train stations easier.
🏙 The first important point is to understand which station you're departing from/arriving at.
Large Chinese cities typically have several train stations, often located in completely different parts of the city.
For example, in Shenzhen, there are Shenzhen, Shenzhen North, and Shenzhen East—these are the names they use on Amap and other maps.
However, Trip.com has some funny names. There, the stations are called Shenzhen, Shenzhenbei, Shenzhendong, and other variations of the Chinese name.
Therefore, before buying a ticket, it's best to copy the station name and Google the corresponding station. Don't rely solely on the word "Shenzhen"—sometimes it's cheaper to buy a slightly more expensive or later ticket to the right station than to waste a lot of time getting from one point in the city to another.
The same goes for taxis: select the specific station on your ticket, not just the closest option labeled "Railway Station." I once ordered a taxi in Chongqing (a major metropolis) to the wrong station... Not a situation I'd like to repeat. 🤪
🏢 Arrive at the station early.
Chinese train stations can be very large. First, you need to go through security, then find the board, your gate, and from there, walk to the platform, all without getting lost in the Chinese characters and waiting for the English version.
Be sure to pay attention to the train number, not just the time. In large cities, trains to popular destinations can depart several minutes apart.
In general, I'd allow at least 30-40 minutes before departure, and even more if you're at an unfamiliar, large station.
It's better to have a cup of tea from Luckin than to rush off.
🚪 Finding Your Gate
Look for your train number on the electronic board. It will indicate Gate / 检票口.
And here's an important detail: Gate may be listed as "3" on the board, but at the station you'll see 3A / 3B / 3C.
These aren't different gates, but the one you need. However, there's an important caveat: different gates can lead to different sections of the platform, so one gate will take you much closer to some cars, while another will take you to others.
Therefore, if you're traveling, for example, in car 15, it makes sense to look at the map of the specific station in advance and figure out which gate will be closest to it.
Otherwise, you might enter via 3A and then discover your car is at the other end of the platform :)
How to find your car
The platform has colored markings that help you locate the desired car's stop in advance.
To figure out which color you need, look at the information about your train on the board.
For example, you find your train → see the color you need → look for that color and your car number on the platform.
This makes it much easier to get to the right place in advance and avoid searching for your car after the train has stopped.
⏱ Don't count on the train stopping for a long time.
At some stations, the train makes a very short stop.
If you're getting off at an intermediate station, it's best to check the stop times in advance and start packing before you arrive.
This is especially true if you're carrying a large suitcase or need to get off the train with several people.
🚄 Platform access time
Passengers are usually allowed onto the Gate approximately 15-20 minutes before departure.
However, I definitely wouldn't recommend waiting until the last minute: after the Gate, you still have to go to the platform and find your carriage.
At some stations, the Gate closes about 5 minutes before departure.
So my best option is to arrive at the station early, find the Gate, and wait for boarding to open.
💺 What about train seats?
If you buy a ticket through Trip.com, you usually don't choose a specific seat.
You can select a preference, for example:
· window
· aisle
· side-by-side
However, the final seat assignment is determined by the system, so even if you select side-by-side seats, it doesn't guarantee you'll end up sitting next to each other. This is especially true if you buy tickets late.
After purchasing your ticket, be sure to check the carriage and seat number on your ticket.
What types of seats are available:
On high-speed trains, the most common options are:
Second Class is the most common and budget-friendly option.
First Class offers more space and more comfortable seats.
Business Class offers the most spacious and expensive seats.
For a regular trip of a few hours, Second Class is an excellent choice. Comfortable seats at no extra cost.
Depending on the train type, there may be berths and other options, but I haven't encountered any yet.
🇭🇰 A special note: trains from Hong Kong to China
If you're traveling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen or another mainland Chinese city by train, remember that you'll need to clear border control before boarding.
At Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, first go through the necessary security checks and immigration control before proceeding to the boarding area.
If you have a foreign passport, pay attention to the lanes designated for foreigners/visitors, not just the automated lanes for Chinese citizens.
And be sure to allow extra time for this, especially if you're traveling on a specific train and don't want to miss it.
I wouldn't arrive at Hong Kong West Kowloon just before departure.
I have separate posts about the Hong Kong → Shenzhen trip itself and a one-day itinerary 👆
I hope my notes are useful and your trip goes smoothly!
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