I have recently travelled a few times on the China Bullet Train and these are my 5 Survival Tips for China Bullet Train.
#1 Bring along your passport/ identification to purchase ticket
China has tightened its security on public transport when purchasing the bullet train ticket, just assume that you are purchasing a plane ticket. They would need your passport and identification cards for verification, during the purchase and before entering the station.
#2 Show up at least 30 mins early
The train might be a bit of a walking distance away from the holding area. So, show up at least 30 mins early, as the trains tend to leaves on the dot. It wouldn’t be nice for you to be lugging all your luggage and running after the train.
#3 Keep your train tickets throughout the journey
Keep your train tickets throughout the journey and NEVER EVER lose it. You would need your train tickets to exit the train station or you would be asked to re-purchase another ticket with a fine.
#4 Bring instant noodles or purchase from the cafe cabin
If you have a long journey through the China bullet train, they do provide hot water for you to cook instant noodles near to every cabin exits.
#5 You can purchase a top-up ticket
When purchasing the ticket, I had purchased a wrong ticket and had wanted to go to Fuzhou instead of Fuzhou North. You are able to purchase a top up ticket for Fuzhou North to Fuzhou. But it also comes with a fine.
Share with me your tips for surviving bullet trains.
I’ll soon to be taking a lot of these, so thanks for sharing! Do you speak any Mandarin – and if not, is it tricky taking the trains in China without being able to speak the language? I feel like it’s going to be my biggest adventure yet but may be rather tough!
Yes, I speak Mandarin. But you dont need to speak Mandarin to get around the bullet train. All the tickets has train numbers and cabin numbers. Just follow the numbers, and when in doubt ask the security ladies or policeman =) Enjoy your trip
I’ve yet to visit China and try their bullet train for that matter. I would definitely keep your tips in mind.
Useful tips! I love taking the train everywhere possible when in a new city and I’d totally take this one to find out what it is like.
We have traveled in China but not via the bullet train. Thanks for sharing. The instant noodle tip is highly appreciated! How long was your journey though to have made use of it ?
The bullet train ride was about 2 hours and 30 mins
I’m heading to Shanghai at the beginning of May so I’m happy I found this post. How fast does the ‘bullet train’ go??
I was so impressed with the bullet train I took from Shanghai to Beijing! They top British trains anyday. Thanks for the advice here, useful for any travellers in China.
The bullet train looks like so much fun! Thanks for the tips to help a ensure a smooth journey!
Thanks for the tips, we are really excited to visit China and will definitely be using the bullet train. So these tips will come in handy!
These bullet trains look great, hopefully i’ll get to ride one eventually. Thanks for the tips.
Hoping to go one day and experience the bullet train. Just amazing technology I wish they had it everywhere!
Yes! the bullet train was awesome!
I would love to go on a bullet train they look amazing. Australia where we live must be one of the few developed crountries in the world not to have high speed rain