Your luggage needs to be checked before entering the station building. Just like taking a flight, there is a baggage allowance to adhere to when taking a train. Please read on to see more information.
According to China rail policy, there are limits on the weight and size of passengers’ luggage.
1. In practice, the luggage weight and size limitations at the train stations are not as strict as at an airport. It is OK if the size or weight of your luggage exceed a little.
2. The luggage allowance is not applicable to wheelchairs. Wheelchairs can be brought onboard for free.
The following things cannot be brought onto a China train:
These items below can be brought on a train, but in limited quantities:
Baggage can be placed on racks above the seats. Most suitcases can fit except the very large ones. The large suitcases that are over 24 inches can be placed behind the last row of seats or in a luggage closet at the end of each coach. It is recommended that you put your luggage near your seat. Do not put valuables in suitcases that you cannot keep an eye on.
In soft sleeper and superior soft sleeper carriages, there are also luggage racks on the wall opposite to the berths. You can also put your baggage into the luggage closets beside the upper berth, which are above the door inside the compartment. Large and heavy suitcases can be placed under the lower berth.
In hard sleeper carriages: luggage can be placed in the racks on the wall opposite the berths, or under the lower berth.
In seat carriages: space is limited in the hard seat or soft seat carriages. There are luggage racks above the seats. You can also place your luggage under the table between two rows of seats.
If you have too much luggage or oversized luggage or a bicycle, you can place them in consignment. Each train station has a consignment office providing luggage transport service.
The consignment fee is not included in the ticket price. It is based on the baggage weight and travel distance.
Most of normal-speed trains have freight carriage. Your luggage will be transported in the same train with you and can be collected upon your arrival.
However, high-speed trains (G, D, C-category trains) do not have freight carriages. This means if you take a high-speed train, your luggage will be on an earlier or later normal-speed train. If your luggage arrives at the destination earlier than you, the arrival station will keep it for three days for free. If it arrives later, the train station will notify you on its arrival.
Sleeper trains between China and Vietman connect Beijing/Nanning and Gia Lam, Hanoi.
Two international trains running between China and Russia including Trans-Mongolian Railway.
International train tickets for the Trans-Siberian can be bought in China, Mongolia and Russia.