Why go
Build the route before comparing tickets. A nearby pairing such as Shanghai and Hangzhou calls for a different decision from a long crossing of the country. Check station and airport locations as well as the journey itself, then leave room for the transfer at each end.
The full story
China's size makes transport a real itinerary decision. Rail connects many cities and lets you travel from city center areas without organizing a separate road journey for every leg. A flight can save time over a long distance, but the airport transfer and time around departure belong in the comparison. Road travel remains useful where the rail network does not take you close to a specific place. Work from the shape of the trip. For a short city pair such as Shanghai and Hangzhou, compare rail options and the station you would actually use. For a much longer leg, compare total door-to-door time instead of vehicle time alone. Avoid stringing together distant stops just because each has a direct connection on a map. Timetables, routes and booking rules change; check the current operator information before you lock in accommodation. A clear travel day can be more valuable than squeezing another sight between two departures.
Useful to know
- Compare door-to-door time, including transfers to stations or airports.
- Check the current operator timetable and booking rules before fixing accommodation.
- Keep a long intercity transfer separate from a tightly scheduled sightseeing day.