Hong Kong - Shanghai through Train

Has anyone taken the HK-Shanghai through train? What was it like? We're considering doing that with our baby girl. Cheers.

I enjoy it.

They have free hot water dispenser, sell drinks, fruite, snacks and food at curtain time. But you can always bring your own food.

Bring toilet tissue and toiletries.

Premium Class(soft sleeper) also provide slippers.


Premium Class sleeps 4 with a door can be closed at night, while regular sleeps 6 and no door with more noise.

I would choose regular one since last time someone farted and it was like hell when the door was closed.

Thanks for sharing your hilarious experience, Coconutusa. We're riding deluxe soft sleeper so we'll be safe from exterratial odors. Will report back after the trip.


Thanks to the poster who shared a couple of youtube links about the train service. I watched them before they were apparently removed by Ed.

Here's a report of our 18-hour train ride to Shanghai.


We booked a deluxe soft-sleeper compartment, which is the same size as the regular soft sleeper compartment, except that it has only two "beds" instead of four. The space freed up from the other two beds is converted into a WC and a seating area. If you have large suitcases (26" or bigger), you will have a hard time fitting it on the luggage rack but you may leave it in an area at the end of the car. We had a stroller for our baby and two suitcases (22" and 24"). There was no room to move around with all that.


The entire car is reconfigured for the deluxe class. The compartments apparently are pretty popular and are often sold out. It was kind of strange that everyone kept to themselves in their respective compartments. Very rarely did I see another person in the walkway. The deluxe soft sleeper car is next to the dining car; so pretty convenient. The menu had decent choices and very reasonably priced (not like airport joints where you pay premium prices for food/drinks). We did not notice many people coming to dine there as most either brought their own provisions or just purchased one of those boxed meals.


Kowloon Hung Hum Station is easy to move around. After the border control check point, everyone waits in the big waiting hall. No VIP lounge or anything like that as far as I could tell. A lot of backpackers along with many female Shanghainese in their 60s with large shopping bags. I suspectedd they were high-end parellel traders.


It was a much longer wait at Shanghai's end to get out as customs seemed on high alert looking for contrabands. Apparently many people try to bring in fruits, etc.


I would probably wait till the high-speed train in service if we were to take the train to Shanghai again. I hear it would take under 8 hours. If you wish to try the through-train (as it is called), don't wait till the last minute to get the tix. They are sold out often. Cheers.