Overnight train Beijing to Xian

[gwhizma]

Wondering if anyone has done the overnight train?

 

Does the cruise ship have a problem if you meet up with them at another port?

[shoshona2]

Hi,

 

We flew to Xian in March from Beijing and had a delightful day there. The flight is about $300 per person. If you go to the search mode on this site as well as frommers.com and fodors.com message boards, I'm sure you will find out that the train isn't a very pleasant experience.

[celle]

Hi,

 

We flew to Xian in March from Beijing and had a delightful day there. The flight is about $300 per person. If you go to the search mode on this site as well as frommers.com and fodors.com message boards, I'm sure you will find out that the train isn't a very pleasant experience.

 

 

We did the overnight train from Beijing to Xian last year, and I disagree. I'm sure that if you go "on the cheap", in the coaches where everyone tries to sleep sitting upright, or opt for the "hard bed" compartments, your journey will not be comfortable. And the sheer mass of people waiting to board the train is quite intimidating!

 

However, if you do as we did, and book "soft bed", the trip will be quite luxurious. We were in a compartment for 4 people. Each person had a comfortable bunk, with disposable slippers provided, and individual TV screens, complete with headphones. The attendant brought us coffee (for which we paid at the time) soon after the train departed.

 

You will need to take food with you, as the on-train restaurant sold out of food and drink within an hour of departing Beijing. We were fore-warned and bought bread, cheese, fruit, water and beer before boarding the train.

 

We enjoyed our journey. Pity the toilets blocked, but that is not uncommon in China!

 

Celle

[cruisinlivin]

Wondering if anyone has done the overnight train?

 

Does the cruise ship have a problem if you meet up with them at another port?

 

Hi,

 

I agree with Celle. We loved the train ride, see pics attached.

 

We also had excellent guides in Beijing and Xi'an if you need guides.

 

In Beijing we were escorted to the train station by our guide and led to the right waiting room. It was a easy on, easy off trip. Very comfortable, Western restrooms down the hall.

[giggster11]

We went the opposite way Xi'an to Beijing on the train in a 2 person deluxe soft sleeper which was really nice. Comfortable compartment, no hassles. We even had fun with the language barrier trying to order food but luckily a Chinese man in the dining car helped us out. We even had it brought to our room for a delicious dinner. Snack cart looked iffy! Bring food of your choice for best option so you know you'll have something to eat and what you want to eat as well.

[gwhizma]

Our guide was able to secure a 2 person sleeper with our own bathroom! It was a great experience. We would definately do it again. A very wise use of our limited time.

[BCHappyGal]

Dear cruiseinlivin

 

Yes please e-mail me your guides names & contact info.

ann at century 21 vancouver dot com

 

The 2 person soft sleepers with privat washroom - what train # were they on and what was the cost?

[Dorinda]

We would like your guide's name and contact info, too.

 

Has anyone done this trip on their own with no guide involved?

 

Thanks!

 

Dee

muskox@lycos.com