Another train question (Pingyao to Xi’an)

Question

Hello all,

I will be touring China mid/end April. My plan is to spend one day in Pingyao and then catch an evening train to Xi’an. I have reserved the tickets on Trip . com, making the reservation only a couple of days after that site started to accept reservation for the day I am interested in. I have indicated several trains and several classes of the ticket. However, the site only gave me around 20% chance of getting the tickets. Are trains so full? In the event that I will be notified that I did not manage to get the tickets, are there other alternatives? New trains added? Extra tickets added on the same day ? Bus services which can be used as alternatives. I am a but lost. Thanks in advance

Answer

Traveling from Pingyao to Xi’an by train in mid to late April can indeed be challenging, as this period coincides with spring travel peaks in China and weekends often see high passenger volumes.

Train availability:

High-speed and regular trains between Pingyao and Xi’an can sell out quickly, especially evening trains. A 20% chance of success on Trip.com indicates that tickets are limited and demand is high.
Chinese railway authorities occasionally release extra tickets close to departure, often 1–3 days before the train, but availability is not guaranteed. These are called “bianpiao” tickets.

Alternatives if tickets are not confirmed:

Check other trains or classes: Try earlier or later trains, different seat classes (second class, first class, business class), or even slower regular trains (T/K trains) which may have seats available.
Bus services: Long-distance buses run from Pingyao to Xi’an, taking around 5–6 hours. Buses depart from Pingyao South Bus Station and arrive at Xi’an South or Xi’an Coach Stations. Tickets are generally easier to obtain last-minute compared to trains.
Other nearby stations: Consider traveling from nearby cities like Taiyuan or Yuncheng if train options from Pingyao are limited. You would need to take a short local train or bus to these stations first.

Additional tips:

Keep checking the online booking site for updates on ticket availability, especially 1–3 days before travel.
If you have flexibility, consider adjusting your Pingyao stay by a day to secure a guaranteed train ticket.
For convenience with luggage, high-speed trains are preferable over buses, but for last-minute travel, buses are reliable alternatives.

In summary, trains from Pingyao to Xi’an can be fully booked, especially evening trains. Monitor ticket releases, consider alternate train times or classes, or use long-distance buses as a backup. Being flexible with your travel dates and booking in advance increases the likelihood of a smooth journey.

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