One, Comfort and Booking Guide for Long-Distance Buses

1. Comfort Analysis

• Bus Type Classification:
• Regular Seat Bus: Smaller seat pitch (about 70-80 cm), no charging port, suitable for short trips (within 3 hours).
• Luxury Business Bus: Equipped with adjustable seats, USB charging ports, free WiFi (on some vehicles), suitable for 4-6 hour journeys.

• Sleeper Bus: Double-deck bed design (common on long-distance routes in remote areas), inconsistent hygiene conditions, low privacy, it is recommended to bring disposable sheets and eye masks.

• Pros and Cons Comparison:

• Advantages: Covers remote areas (such as parts of Yunnan and Tibet scenic spots), lower ticket prices (approximately one-third of high-speed rail).
• Disadvantages: Stronger bumps, simple restroom facilities (some vehicles do not have restrooms), possibly insufficient air conditioning in summer.

2. Booking Methods

• Online Platforms:
• Ctrip Travel, Fliggy: Support English interface, international credit card payment available, need to input passport number for ticket purchase.
• Local Bus Station Websites: For example, the "Shanghai Long-Distance Passenger Transport General Station" website, some support English pages.
• Offline Ticket Purchase:
• Directly go to the bus station ticket window, original passport required.
• Precautions:
• During holidays (Spring Festival, National Day), tickets need to be booked 3-5 days in advance.
• Confirm departure time (Chinese buses often use 24-hour notation, such as "14:30" which means 2:30 PM).

Two, Comfort and Booking Guide for Sleeper Trains

1. Comfort Analysis

• Carriage Types:
• Hard Sleeper (Hard Sleeper): Open compartment, 6 people per room (upper/middle/lower berth), bed width about 70 cm, no lock.
• Soft Sleeper (Soft Sleeper): 4 people per room, with closable compartment door, bed width about 80 cm, equipped with charging ports and reading lights.

• High-Level Soft Sleeper (few routes): 2 people per room, independent restroom, ticket price approximately 80% of airfare.

• Experience Suggestions:

• Lower Berth: Convenient for movement but less privacy, middle/upper berths quieter but narrower space (upper berth height only about 1 meter).
• Hygiene: It is recommended to carry disposable sheets, earplugs, and foldable slippers.
• Safety: Luggage can be placed under the bed or on the luggage rack, valuable items should be carried with you.

2. Booking Methods

• Online Platforms:
• 12306 Official Website/App: The official channel of China Railway, need to register using passport number (foreign users need to verify identity once at the station window).
• Trip.com: Friendly English interface, supports international credit cards, can book train tickets on behalf (with service fee required).
• Offline Ticket Purchase:
• Train station ticket window: Provide original passport, can purchase same-day or advance tickets (advance booking period 30 days).
• Ticketing agents: Need to pay a handling fee of 5-10 yuan.
• Precautions:
• Real-name System for Tickets: Original documents (passport) used for ticket purchase must be carried when boarding.
• Ticket Modification/Refund: Can modify ticket for free once 30 minutes before departure, refund fees are charged according to tiers (5% deduction if more than 48 hours before departure, 20% deduction if within 24 hours).

Three, Comprehensive Suggestions

1. Prioritize High-Speed Rail: If the journey is within 4 hours (such as Beijing-Shanghai), the comfort level of second-class seats on high-speed rail far exceeds that of buses and sleeper trains.
2. Nighttime Travel Strategy: Choose overnight sleeper trains (such as Z-headed direct trains), saving accommodation costs.
3. Essential Items Checklist:
4. Portable power bank (limited charging ports on sleeper trains).
5. Neck pillow, eye mask, ear plugs (to deal with noise and light interference).
6. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer (some bus restrooms lack washing facilities).