Schedules & Pricing Here are a couple of the websites available for checking train schedules and ticket prices online. Keep in mind that some trains do not leave every day (for example the T22 Chongqing-Lhasa is every other day). So once you have the train number it’s still a good idea to double check with a ticket office.
- Train Schedules at TravelChinaGuide (In English; prices listed in US$ when you click on the train number)
- Train Schedules at Lieche (More comprehensive; but you must be able to type and read some Chinese; prices listed in RMB)
Getting to the station
There are three train stations in the city proper. Huo Che Bei Zhan (Jiangbei) 火车北站(江北) The newest station, located in Jiangbei. Most trains departing and arriving from Chongqing leave from here. Note: The names of stations have just been changed to accommodate this new station, often locals will still refer to the Shapingba station as Huo Che Bei Zhan. For clarification ask if the station is in Jiangbei or Shapingba.
Bus Tip: 保利香槟园南门(火车北站) or 龙头寺公园. Because the new station just opened in 2007 there are still very few buses which will take you there.
Cai Yuan Ba Huo Che Zhan 菜园坝火车站 The original train station. Unless train tickets say otherwise they depart from this station. Scheduled to be torn down in the near future, so many trains are being rerouted to the new Jiangbei station.
Bus Tip: 火车站(菜园坝)Bus Tip (Alternate): 两路口, then walk a short distance to find the entrance to the 大扶梯 (Da Fu Ti)—A giant escalator that takes you down the mountain to the train station area (1 RMB ticket).
Sha Ping Ba Huo Che Zhan 沙坪坝火车站 Prior to 2007 this station was called Huo Che Bei Zhan (火车北站). Very few trains depart from here, but many pass through the station with or without stopping.
Bus Tip: 华宇广场(沙坪坝火车站) or 火车北站 (many signs have not been changed yet)
Did You Know?
Advanced booking Depending on the popularity of the destination, the time of the year, availability of trains, tickets often go fast. If possible, try to book in advance. Most tickets can be purchased up to 10 days in advance. Closer destinations (or during holidays) tickets can usually only be booked 24 hours in advance.
Buying tickets the easy(er) way It’s not necessary to go all the way to the train station to buy train tickets. Every district in Chongqing has booking offices that for a small fee (usually 5 RMB/ticket) can sell you tickets. It definitely beats the mad crowds around the station ticket offices. Ask the locals in the area or keep an eye out for small offices that have the words 售火车票 (Shou Huo Che Piao). If, however, the booking office says they are sold out don’t abandon all hope yet. If you go to the station and purchase directly there may still be tickets available.
Ride in Comfort There are many different grades of trains so sometimes it feels like you’re playing the lottery to get a comfortable one. Increase your chances of landing a nice train by looking for trains that begin with letters (e.g. T, K, or N) as these are generally nicer than the trains that are just a string of numbers. You can also keep a look out for the following words: 空调 Kong Tiao (Air Conditioned) and 快速 Kuai Su (Express).
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