Bullet Train - Luggage Question

Question

We are looking at train times and prices for Bejing to Shanghai and then Shanghai to Shenzhen

We will be travelling with a large case and a smaller case.

I can see the carriages have luggage areas, but a little worry is these will fill up quickly

Any help appreciated

Looking at travelling early November

Answer

Traveling on China’s high-speed bullet trains with luggage is generally straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind, especially with large suitcases.

Luggage rules on high-speed trains:

Each passenger can bring up to 20 kg in checked luggage if purchased separately, but for standard onboard luggage, the guidance is about 20 kg for carry-on items.
Large suitcases are allowed, but they must fit within the luggage areas. Typically, the overhead racks above the seats can hold smaller bags, while larger suitcases can be stored at the end of each carriage in designated luggage spaces.
The trains from Beijing to Shanghai and Shanghai to Shenzhen are modern G or D category trains, which have ample luggage storage, but during peak travel periods (holidays, weekends), these spaces can fill up quickly.

Practical tips for traveling with a large case and a smaller case:

Arrive early at the train station to store your luggage and secure a good spot. The designated luggage areas at the end of carriages are usually first-come, first-served.
Consider placing the large suitcase at the end-of-carriage storage area and keeping the smaller case with you or in the overhead rack.
If you are traveling with multiple passengers, coordinate so that one person can guard the luggage if needed, especially during busy trains.
For very large or heavy items, some stations offer baggage forwarding services to the destination station, which can reduce stress, though this is optional.

In early November, trains are not typically as crowded as during Chinese national holidays, but weekends can still be busy. Booking tickets early is recommended, and if possible, choose seats near the end-of-carriage luggage areas for easier access.

Overall, traveling with one large suitcase and a smaller case should be manageable as long as you plan ahead and arrive at the station with enough time to stow your bags.

Bullet Train - Luggage Question

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