Shanghai Travel Forum

Hello everyone,

I've read online that it's quite easy to purchase domestic tickets within China, and that the closer you get to the specific date the cheaper the airfare is. I'll be in Shanghai in June for a couple of days (3-5) and will need to travel to Beijing on a specific day. I was just wondering -- if I wait until arriving in China to try to purchase tickets, do I run any risk of not having a flight? I need to fly to Beijing on 6/13, and I just don't want to run in the situation of not being able to secure a flight.

(I am traveling in mid-June, so this will not be during the New Year or any other major Chinese holidays.)

You definitely will be able to get a ticket, but no guarantees for the amount of discount.
Also would you consider the overnight Z trains?

I have considered the overnight trains -- however, is it inconvenient to travel on the trains with luggage? (I will probably have 1 bag, but a large one, with me.)

Yes, definitely possible. Most Chinese travel with more luggage than you!

I bought the Beijing- Shanghai ticket on the date we wanted for about £80 a (week before travelling) without any problems. i think you'll be fine, just make it your first priority to book when you get to Shanghai, and maybe be prepared to take the overnight train as a backup plan (i found them quite comfortable and it got us chatting to some locals too, was actually a really positive experience!)

Good Luck!

I think they are planning to have an airplane from Shanghai to Beijing every 15 minutes. You can even buy ticket as you arrive in airport (not recommended of course).

Yes, it's very easy to get a flight ticekt between Shanghai and Beijing. Now it's about a flight in every 30 minutes. There is so called "express way" for flights between these two cities and if you miss one, you can easily exchange your ticket among different air companies (with some fare possibly if you bought a discounted ticket). Try ctrip.com or taobao.com for cheap tickets.

There are two airports in Shanghai and you need to be very clear which one you want to choose when you buy a ticket. Hongqiao airport is the convenient one as it's close to Shanghai downtown.