How to Book Train Travel From Chongqing to Shanghai

Shanghai is to China what the ''Big Apple'' is to New York: a cosmopolitan cultural and commerical center. Well known to sailors of the past, Shanghai is still one of the most important and prosperous port cities in the world.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport and appropriate visa
• Computer with Internet access to book train travel reservations

Book Your Train Travel From Chongqing to Shanghai

1. Direct your browser to the China Trip Advisor Web site (see Resources below) in a separate window.

2. Click on ''Help Desk'' from the menu at the top of the page.

3. Complete the web-based inquiry form by highlighting ''Train Tickets'' as the subject and entering your name and email address. In the body of your message, inform the staff that you wish to book a train from Chongqing To Shanghai and give them an estimated date of travel. Tell the agency that you wish to book the K72/K73 train, even though you won't find this train listed on the any of the schedules on the Web site.

4. Submit your query and wait for a response via email. You should be contacted by an agent in the next 24 hours.

5. Coordinate final payment with the agent once you receive word that you have a tentative reservation in place. Usually, the agency will ask for a 35 percent down payment in advance. This is refundable in the event a confirmed reservation cannot be made at the time you wish to travel.

6. Arrange to have your tickets delivered to your home or hotel. This service is included in the moderate ticket price.

Tips & Warnings

• Use online booking for the quickest and most convenient way to reserve your tickets.
• If you search for train routes on the China Trip Advisor Web site, you'll notice a list of several trains and their departure cities, but you won't see a train listed leaving Chongqing for Shanghai. Not to worry--China Trip Advisor can get you from almost any city in China to another.
• Request a soft sleeper on the train. Unlike a hard sleeper compartment, there will be a door you can close off from the rest of the carriage. It's also much more comfortable, with only four bunks to a compartment instead of six.
• Bring toilet paper and some personal wipes. Toilet paper is not supplied onboard and you can expect the cleanliness of the facilities to decline over the duration of the trip.