New High-speed Sleeper Train Connects Hong Kong-Shanghai, Ticket Prices Start At IDR 1 Million

JAKARTA - The high-speed sleeper train service that connects Hong Kong-Beijing-Shanghai was launched last month, making tourists who want to take a vacation can cut travel times but reach more cities.

The service was launched on June 15. Launching the High Speed Rail website July 4, this train serves Hong Kong - Shanghai and Hong Kong Beijing (as well as vice versa) every Friday to Monday. The train departs at night and arrives the next morning.

The train from Hong Kong West Kowloon departed at 18:24 local time and arrived in Beijing 06:53 local time. Meanwhile, the train from Beijing departed at 20:13 and arrived in Hong Kong 08:47.

Meanwhile, the train to Shanghai was thanks to 19:49 p.m. from Hong Kong and arrived at the destination of 06:45. The train instead departed at 20:15 and arrived in Hong Kong 07:29.

"This path will be more comfortable and fast, reduce travel time by about half, and will reach more destinations, including cities that become popular tourist attractions," John Lee, Hong Kong chief executive, said in a press statement, referring to the previous night's railway route linking Hong Kong with China's two largest cities., reported by CNN July 1

Prior to this service, the intercity rail services, Beijing-Kowloon and Shanghai-Kowloon, were launched in 1997. The train trip to the Chinese capital previously took about 24 hours, while the trip to Shanghai was about 19 hours. The service was halted during the pandemic in 2020.

In each journey, the train series consists of 16 carriages, including 13 sleeping carriages, two second-class seats and one dining carriage. For accommodation, there are second-class choices, sleeper and demand sleeper.

The standard bedroom cabinet consists of two flat beds that can accommodate four passengers in one cabin. Meanwhile, the demand sleeper, which is currently only available on the Hong Kong-Shanghai route, is equipped with flat beds, wardrobes and sofas.

Ticket prices range from HKD937 (Rp1,948,689) to HKD1,506 (Rp3,132,045) for the Hong Kong-Beijing and HKD682 routes to HKD2,128 ($88-273) for the Hong Kong-Shanghai route.

Interestingly, the joint immigration checkpoint inside West Kowloon Station allows passengers to avoid additional checks while crossing the Hong Kong entry and exit border. However, passengers must still have a Chinese visa or travel documents that are still valid for boarding the train.

Starting next Saturday (Jun 15), the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) will introduce new overnight sleeper train services between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai from Fridays to Mondays, facilitating business and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and the two cities. pic.twitter.com/9elLDjzApw

— BrandHongKong 香港亞洲國際都會 (@Brand_HK) June 5, 2024

Starting next Saturday (Jun 15), the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) will enter new overnight sleeper train services between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai from Fridays to Mondays, facilitating business and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and the two cities. pic.twitter.com/9elLDjzApw