Classes of seats and sleepers

People might get confused on different classes of trains in China Tibet trains. In general, Tibet trains have two types of seats and two types of sleepers.

Hard seats:

• Equivalent to second class seats on Western trains

• Cheapest and smallest seats (on average 40cm wide), without armrests

• Two rows of five seats (3+2) sit face to face with a small table in between

• Seats are usually padded and reasonably comfortable

• It is mostly crowded and noisy, and passengers standing everywhere. 

Soft seats: (NOT available in Tibet trains)

• The soft seats are not available on Tibet trains, only on limited China trains.

• Equivalent to first class seats on Western trains

• Second cheapest and slightly bigger seats (on average 45cm wide), sometimes with armrests

• Seats are softer and more comfortable, sometimes with adjustable backs

• Two rows of four seats (2+2) sit face to face with a small table in between

• It is mostly quiet and clean, people with standing / other ticket are not allowed

Hard sleepers:

• The hard sleeper compartment does NOT have door, it is less privacy.

• Each compartment has totally 6 beds, each side is equipped with 3 beds of upper, middle and lower.

• The beds are padded and basic bedding is supplied

• There is a small table between the two lower beds, sometimes also a power socket (power socket is also available in aisle).

• Luggage is stored under the beds or on the top of the aisle, you can close the door to keep it more privacy.

• There might be foldable seats and tables in the aisle, if you are taking Tibet train, there is oxygen outlet in the aisle. 

Soft sleepers:

• Each compartment is closed and has totally 4 beds, each side is equipped with 2 beds of upper, and lower.

• The beds are softer and wider, quality bedding is supplied

• There is a small table between the two lower beds, a power socket and television/radio are equipped.

• Each bunk has a reading lamp

• Luggage is stored under the beds or over the door, you can close the door to keep it more privacy.

• There are foldable seats and tables in the aisle, if you are taking Tibet train, there is oxygen outlet in the aisle. 

Differences of soft sleeper and hard sleeper

Visitors might get miss-led by the word—HARD, actually hard sleepers on Tibet train is still soft, it is the 2nd class sleeper, comfortless is after only the soft sleeper. Here we would like to tell you more about the differences of these 2 types of sleepers on Qinghai Tibet Trains. 

• Soft sleeper compartment has 4 sleepers, which are called Lower sleeper and Upper Sleeper. While hard Sleeper compartment has 6 sleepers inside, which are called Lower sleeper, Middle sleeper, Upper sleeper.  

• Soft sleeper compartment is slightly bigger space than hard sleeper compartment.

• Soft sleepers are slightly wider and softer than Hard sleepers. As many foreign visitors are strong, so soft sleeper might be more comfortable.

• Each soft sleeper has a TV screen, while the hard sleeper does not have.

• Soft sleeper berth has a door which could be locked and keep away the noise outside and give you more privacy. While hard sleepers usually do not have door, will be a bit noise and less privacy. * But since the door in soft sleeper could be locked, so it might be a bit strange to some passengers especially female passenger sharing the compartment with other unknown males; While hard sleeper compartment is in an open area, give you less strange feelings.