reservations
Most convenience is to get your train ticket at the hotel counter.
Many hotels can make reservations for trains, airlines but also city tours or entertainment shows.
They will ask a surcharge for this service or get some commission.
More general train information: China train
children
In China children under 1 meter travel free of charge, but don't get a bed.
Children between 1 meter and 1.40 meter pay a lower fare: the child fare.
If the train is leaving from Hong Kong there are different rules. The lenght is no longer important but the age of the child.
Children under 5 years old travel free and children between 5 and 10 pay the child fare.
comparison airline flight - train
Just to compare with the train fares.
A Beijing - Shanghai one-way airline ticket regular price is about 1130 Yuan.
If you book in advance, lowest fare can be 570 Yuan.
At the Beijing train station an one-way sofsleeper train ticket is about 500 Yuan.
Travel agencies (online/local/hotel)can ask up to 1200 Yuan for the same train ticket!
More information: Beijing - China domestic flights
Beijing general information:
China train search
Beijing Travel Guide
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