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Q: Train Reservations Please
I love to take sleeper trains. But, I always seem to get stuck with the top bunk. Is there a way to reserve or request a lower bunk on a sleeper train?
9 years 8 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
Yes, of course, they cost more.
I prefer hard sleeper to soft sleeper. So, for example, hard sleeper GZ to Guiiin is 180 RMB for top bunk, 200 for middle, and 220 for the bottom. These prices are approx, but that's how it works.
When you buy the train yicket, request a soft sleeper, lower berth. Price difference is minimal compared to the ticket cost, I would say between 10 and 15 % more for lower berth.
The trick is ro buy the ticket in advance (as much as two weeks), and be flexible with departure time and date. Trains traveling overnight fill up faster than those during daytime.
I'm purchasing train tickets at the counter. If you'll do the same, make sure you'll be at the counter 12 days before departure. That is (was) the day, when it's possible to purchase ticket the earliest.
I have details of train ticket written in English on piece of paper with several departure dates, trian no., dep. &arr. station, and 'sleeper-middle' in Pinjin. Middle bed is the best IMO, because if you're on the bottom, friends of cabin occupants will sit on your bed, and chat.
You can look at timetable and prices on CNVOL:
Don't forget toilet paper and Ipod.
