Shanghai Travel Forum

Hello. We will be travelling to China in June. We would like to fly from Shanghai to Xi’an, but all of the airfares we have found the last few months (using ctrip.com, elong.net, airChina.com.cn, Hnair.com) are either full price, or at most 30% off. (Well, Ctrip shows a bunch or great fares, but when you go to book them, it always says “fail to check seats”...anyone know what’s up with that?)

Anyway, I was wondering if airfare in China often comes on sale closer to the date of travel. In other words, do we have any hope of snagging a cheaper slight? If we can’t and thus need to take the train, how difficult would it be to get last minute train tickets (for a sleeper car) for this route in Shanghai? (We only arrive Shanghai 2 days before we would leave to Xi’an).
Thanks in advance for any information.

I have traveled in China during May/June 2006 and May/June 2007. I have found that domestic flights are cheaper the closer to the departure date. I once booked a flight from Xi'an to Shanghai the day before and got 60% off. The discount also depends of the time of day.

I've booked the flights at the hotel, prices were the same as on the internet.

I've also book trains at the hotels, for a small fee. One was from Shanghai to Hangzhou in the middle of May week holiday. The other was an overnight sleeper from Beijing to Xi'an. The holiday limited the chose of trains to Hangzhou.

BTW
I'm going to Egypt this April. I see by your picture you have been there but don't have a tips.

I think you can get a soft sleeper without problems. For hard seater or hard sleeper it might be more difficult.

Unlike most of the western world, domestic airfare in China usually gets cheaper the closer you get to departure. I've never found a site that accepts advance reservations at anything less than almost full price. If price is your biggest concern, best bet will be to wait to the last minute and book something at a local travel agency after you get to Shanghai. If you book at the hotel you'll probably pay a little premium over a travel agency, but you're paying for less of a hassle factor.

Of course if you play this game you run the risk that the exact flight you want may be sold out. If your schedule is tight, I personally think it's worth it to pay in advance for a secured reservation. If you have a little more flexibility, and are willing to waste a few hours of your time in Shanghai, you can likely get a better price by waiting and booking there.

Flight schedules for June aren't confirmed yet so Ctrip can't sell tickets. Wait till at least late April, or even May.

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I guess we will have to play it by ear for now and wait until closer to departure.

Another question regarding train travel. I understand we should be able to get 3 bunks in a soft sleeper purchased only a day or two before travel? We will travel to Beijing from Xi'an a few days later, would we also be able to buy these train tickets in Shanghai?

Thanks again.

I believe you need to get the beijing to xi'an train ticket in Beijing.

Xi'an -- Beijing train tickets will not be available in Shanghai. I've tried several times without success.
I doubt you'll be able to get 3 soft sleepers a couple of days before travel, let alone in the same compartment. I presume you're talking about Shanghai -- Xi'an.

Ellyse, yes, we would take the train from Shanghai to Xi'an and from Xi'an to Beijing if we are not able to obtain affordable air tickets.

If it won't be possible for us to purchase soft sleeper seats in the same compartment so close to departure, is there any way to get them online ahead of time (without paying a travel agency 100% more than the tickets are worth)?

Thanks.

I could probably help, if I'm in town... VTMail me if necessary.

Thanks Ellyse, I appreciate the offer. As the time gets closer, we'll make a decision between the train or flying and contact you if need be.

Thanks again,
Matt