Flight or high speed train?
China is large, but not every long route is automatically better by plane. If you plan to travel from Shanghai to Beijing, the pure flight time may look short at first. But you also need to add the trip to the airport, check in, security control, boarding, luggage and the way from the arrival airport into the city.
The high speed train covers the Shanghai Beijing route in under four and a half hours on some services, over roughly 1,300 kilometres. For that route, I would personally choose the train most of the time: less hassle, more space and arrival usually closer to the city.
When flying makes sense
For very long distances, the picture changes. Shanghai to Urumqi, Beijing to Hainan or routes to the far northeast such as Harbin are examples where a domestic flight can make a lot of sense. China is big enough that not every distance should be forced into a train itinerary.
My own experience with domestic flights in China has been positive. On a flight from Beijing to Sanya, there was a proper meal and free drinks. The aircraft also felt modern to me.
For routes such as Shanghai Beijing or Beijing Xi'an, the high speed train is often the more comfortable option, even if flying looks faster on paper.
For destinations such as Hainan, Xinjiang, Harbin or long cross country routes, domestic flights can save a lot of travel time.
For me, Trip.com is practical for domestic flights in China because flights, hotels, trains and eSIMs can be planned in one place.
What I plan for at the airport
For domestic flights in China, I treat the passport as the key document and allow a little more time at the airport. Security checks, large terminals and long walks to the gate can take longer than at smaller European airports.
Online check in may work, but with a foreign passport it is not something I would rely on completely. The counter remains the safest option. At large Chinese airports, I would not plan too tightly.
My rule of thumb
If the high speed train takes under five hours and the station to station route is convenient, I would usually take the train. If the journey crosses the country, goes far west, south or northeast, or would require awkward transfers, flying is often the better choice.
For a first trip to China, this distinction matters: do not compare only the flight time. Compare the full door to door travel time.
FAQ: flying in China or taking the train?
Is flying in China faster than the high speed train?
On very long routes, yes. On routes such as Shanghai Beijing, the high speed train can still be more comfortable overall because airport transfer, check in, security, boarding and the way from the airport into the city all add time.
When is a domestic flight in China worth it?
A domestic flight is most useful on very long routes, for example to Hainan, Xinjiang, Urumqi, Harbin or long cross country connections within China.
Do I need my passport for domestic flights in China?
Yes. Foreign travellers should keep their passport ready for booking, check in, security checks and boarding. The booking details must match the passport.
Does online check in work with a foreign passport?
Sometimes it works, but not always reliably. For domestic flights in China with a foreign passport, I would treat counter check in as the safer option.