Train is Better than Car to Hangzhou

I am back from Hangzhou via CRH Train. I would still highly prefer train over cars to get to Hangzhou from Shanghai, especially for international visitors. Here are some advantages of train:

Train is faster - 1 hour and 30 minutes for train, but car can easily take 2 hours - both does not include the travel time in Shanghai or Hangzhou city.
Train is safer - I am not happy with the safety record of Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway (aka A8). You have to deal with many full stop on the road - scary.
Train is more modern - look at the photos of Hangzhou-Shanghai train, and Beijing-Shanghai train - it is so beautiful - just like a five star hotel.
Train is smoother. Of cause you don't expect that the train is completely still at speed of 170 km/hour, but you just feel very comfortable sitting there. Don't try to stand up thus - you cannot stand there without holding something if the train is turning directions.
Train is reliable - 1 and half hour - with error within several minutes.
Shanghai South Railway Station - this is the bonus tip: You will regret if you don't use the Shanghai South Railway Station during your stay in Shanghai - it is wonderful.
Train is better for a group of people - either poker or chat is good on train, not car.

So, the next time, I would use train over car - always.

by Jian Shuo Wang on March 6, 2009 under Hangzhou

Related Entries: Hangzhou

Pedestrian in Hangzhou November 25, 2009
Train is Better than Car to Hangzhou March 6, 2009
Hangzhou Photos at the End of 2008 December 29, 2008
Returned from Hangzhou December 28, 2008
CRH Train from Shanghai to Hangzhou July 3, 2008
Shanghai to Hangzhou by Taxi November 3, 2006
Hangzhou Round-Trip in One Day May 20, 2006
Back from Snowing Hangzhou March 12, 2006
Hello From Hangzhou March 10, 2006

Comments

What happen to the Maglev intended for Shangahi-Hangzhou to be inaugurated in time for the Expo.

Posted by: stephen on March 6, 2009 11:41 PM

It seems the maglev to Hangzhou has been suspended - didn't hear any further news of it.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on March 7, 2009 12:07 PM

You have anything to share about Beijing ? I will be travelling there own my own. Hopefully you can have some sharring for someone new to Beijing, especially on tourist destination, accomodation and moving around. I am an oversea chinese.
I enjoy your posting about Shanghai, Hangzhou and the trains. Well I am glad your information and posting is of great help to me.

Thanks.

Posted by: kbguy on March 7, 2009 4:16 PM

@kbguy, not too much information for Beijing. I believe there are many Beijing bloggers doing the same thing for Beijing as I did for Shanghai. Enjoy your stay.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on March 8, 2009 12:35 AM

Do you know of a travel agent who will book and deliver train tickets to Pudong?

Posted by: Karen on March 31, 2009 3:34 PM

Hello Jian Shuo:

What is the best way to travel from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport?

Thank you for all your good work and help to us travellers.

Alwyn

Posted by: Alwyn on April 13, 2009 9:32 PM

Well. I don't have specific answers to your question. There are bus to Hangzhou, but Hangzhou is still far away from Xiaoshan. There are train, of cause, but it takes too much burden to travel to both train stations. Maybe taxi works - 500-700 RMB?

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on April 13, 2009 10:26 PM

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on April 13, 2009 10:49 PM

I am trying to get to Taizhou (zhejiang), maybe going through hangzhou and Wuyi. Is it possible to get a train all the way? Also can I book a fare without going to the Shanghai South Railway station?
thanks!
John

Posted by: john on August 2, 2009 12:21 PM

Dear Mr. Wang
I am from Tehran, Iran.I want to travel to Hangzhou. but I couldnt find a direct fly. so I took a ticket to Shanghai. Please let me know about how I can get to Hangzhou from airport. How much it costs. and can I take train ticket to Hangzhou when I arrived Shanghai?
Thanks for your useful information
Bests

Posted by: Ramin on September 5, 2009 6:38 PM

I need to travel on Oct 20 from Pudong airport in Shanghai to Hangzhou. I would like to arrive as early as possible. Train or Bus? And exactly how and where do I go? This is my first trip to China.

Posted by: carol on October 13, 2009 5:39 AM