Shanghai Travel Forum

I will be in Shanghai on 12.04 and intending to take a train to Xian on 15.04.
Are 4 days in advance enough to buy hard sleeper tickets?Where is the best place for forеigners to buy train tickets?

I took the train from shenzhen to shanghai, I got the tickets from the Hotel I was staying at, just ask the front desk, they will charge you a little bit extra but it is worth it.

I went back to shenzhen from shanghai in the train and I went to the train station this time and bought my ticket, luckily someone there knew how to speak english and helped me cause the clerks that sell the tickets don't speak a word of english,so it's risky, and I would advise you to go get the ticket on the same day you arrive in shanghai cause is always late in china for buying tickets, so don't take any chances, ask your hotel front desk, or any travel agency would supply you with train tickets.

I would advise you to fly since you save a lot of time and the ticket may be just a little more expensive. Can be bought online from ctrip.com.

Shanghai South train station has a ticket window with an English speaking employee. I think the other train station should have the same but I don't know which station you should buy the ticket from. I am sure you can get the advice from the people at your hotel/hostel.

I just want to add that ctrip.com doesn't accept payment with foreign issued credit cards. What you can do is to book and ask for delivery to your hotel on the same day. You can check whether your hotel is within the free-delivery areas on its website as you book. You need not even be at the hotel to take delivery. I gave the money to the receptionist at the front desk of the hostel I stayed at and I got everything correctly when I returned at the end of the day. Just make sure you stay at a reputable place where you can trust the receptionist.

Hmmm, you might have some problem getting hard sleeper tickets only 4 days in advance.
I'm studying in Shanghai and might be able to help you out re train tickets, let me know if necessary.