Beijing to Xi'an Overnight High Speed Train
Hi
I'm looking to take an overnight train from Beijing to Xian and looks like the high speed ones are
20:11 -> 07:55 next day
20:30 -> 08:23 next day
both just under 12 hours. Are these times reliable as ive read other night routes can vary a lot and might make flying necessary instead?
Also is it https://www.travelchinaguide.com/ that i can book tickets in advance on?
Thanks
Yes, Beijing to Xi'an overnight high-speed trains are generally very reliable in terms of schedule. The listed departures, such as 20:11 → 07:55 and 20:30 → 08:23, are official high-speed rail services (G or D category trains) and usually run on time. Delays do happen occasionally, but they are rare compared to conventional night trains.
Key points about overnight high-speed trains:
- The trains usually have soft sleeper or business class seats that recline significantly, making overnight travel comfortable.
- Travel time is around 11–12 hours, which is similar to flying when considering airport check-in and travel to/from airports.
- Trains depart and arrive from city center stations (Beijing West and Xi'an North), which can save travel time compared to airports outside the city.
Regarding booking tickets:
- You can book high-speed train tickets in advance through official websites such as 12306.cn (requires registration and often a Chinese ID or passport for foreigners).
- TravelChinaGuide.com is a reputable third-party platform that allows foreigners to reserve tickets online using a passport, and it usually charges a small service fee.
- It is highly recommended to book early, especially during peak seasons (e.g., Chinese New Year, National Day, summer holidays) as soft sleeper tickets sell out fast.
In conclusion, the overnight high-speed trains between Beijing and Xi'an are a practical and comfortable alternative to flying, with the added benefit of departing and arriving in city centers.
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