春運將始 瞭解中國火車票的類型及介紹
Chinese trains are divided according to their speed into various classes, identified with different letters and numbers. The letters refer to different classes:
中國的火車根據各自的時速分爲不同等級，以車票前的首字母或數字進行區分。火車票首字母分爲以下幾個等級：
G – High-Speed Electric Multiple Units (EMU) Train
G字頭列車：高鐵，全稱“高速動車組列車”
This is the fastest running for long distance in China, the top speed of which could reach 350km/h. Currently, the G-train could finish the 1,068-kilometers Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway in 3 hours, the 301-kilometers Shanghai-Nanjing High-Speed Railway in 73 minutes and the 458-kilometers Zhengzhou-Xian High-Speed Railway in 2 hours.
中國長途客運速度最快的火車，時速350公里/小時。目前，從武漢到廣州1068公里纔不到3小時，從上海到南京的301公里只要73分鐘，鄭州到西安458公里不到2小時。
C – Intercity EMU
C字頭列車：城際高鐵，全稱“城際動車組列車”
This is also the fastest kind, but runs for short travel distance between two nearby cities, such as the 120-kilomter's Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway.
這也是中國最快速的火車，但只在相鄰城市間的運行短途火車，比如京津城際高鐵。
D – Electric Multiple Units (EMU)
D字頭列車：動車，全稱“動車組列車”
This type is also called Hexiehao (和諧號, Harmony) or bullet trains in China. The designed top speed is 250km/h. They have been widely used for serving fast and frequent transport between main cities, such as Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Suzhou and Shenzhen-Guangzhou.
這種火車又叫“和諧號”或者“子彈頭”火車。設計最高速度250公里每小時。城際高鐵在人口稠密的都市圈之間運用最廣，比如京滬線、滬寧城際鐵路以及廣州到深圳的高鐵。
Z字頭列車：直達列車
This type with a top speed of 160km/h is also an efficient transport for long-distance travel. Generally, they run directly to the destination or with some stops on the way. On the other hand, some are equipped with only soft-sleepers and soft-seats.
這種車的最高時速是160公里，是長途旅行最實惠的車。一般來說，直達車就是是從始發站到終點站一站直達，中間不停或者僅有少量停車的車。另外，這種車次一般配有軟座和軟臥。
T字頭列車;特快
This kind has limited stops on the routes, mainly in these major cities. The highest speed is 140km/h. Almost every T-series is equipped with soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat.
這種車次只在主要城市限停，最高時速是140公里，一般情況下T開頭的車會友軟臥、軟座和硬座及硬臥。
K字頭列車：快車，快速列車，全稱快速旅客列車，簡稱快速。
This series with a top speed of 120km/h has more stops than the T ones. They are equipped with air-condition and the four classes of berths.
這類車次的最高時速是120公里，比T字開頭的火車要多停幾站。有空調，設有四種等級的席位。
普快，全稱“普通旅客快車”
The numbers are identified with four digits and usually start with 1, 2, 4 or 5. Its highest speed is 120km/h but runs slower than the K-series as a result of more stops on the way. Currently, most of this kind are equipped with air-condition.
普快車票一般以1,2,4和5開頭，最高時速120，因爲停靠站點更多，所以比K字開頭的火車慢。目前，大部分普快都有空調。
慢車，全稱“普通旅客慢車”
With 100km/h's highest speed, this should be the slowest type, having as many stops as possible. They are also numbered with four digits and start with 6, 7, 8 or 9. Most of them are green trains without air-condition.
最高時速100公里，這可能是最慢的一種車次，有很多站。車票一般以6,7,8和9開頭，大部分慢車都是綠皮車，沒有空調。
市郊往返列車，通勤列車
These are specially taken by railway staffs, so they are not opened to public passengers.
特指中國鐵路內部用於鐵路職工上下班往返於居住地和工作地的列車，不對外開放。
L字頭列車：臨客，全稱“臨時旅客列車”
This series is in operation only during the peak travel time, such Chinese Spring Festival and the National Holiday. They will not be listed in the official fixed schedule. It is not advised to take this type if you have other options as they are routinely subject to delays.
這個系列的車次僅僅會在客運高峯期的時候出現，比如春節和國慶節。沒有固定的發車時間，一般情況下，能坐上別的車，就不會坐臨客，因爲它們通常都會晚點。
Y字頭列車：旅客列車
This type is for the convenience of tourist and their destinations are the popular tourism cities. For example, there are Y-trains departing between Beijing and Qinhuangdao. Its speed is the same as the accommodation type.
這類車次是爲遊客特設的旅遊列車，一般目的地都是熱點旅遊城市，比如從北京開往秦皇島的Y字頭列車。速度和普快差不多。
S字頭列車：城郊專運客車
Running at 100km/h as the highest speed, this type is used for communicating city center and the suburban areas. It has no soft seats and sleeper berths as it only travels within short distance in day times. Currently, the S2 series travel between Beijing North Railway Station and the Yanqing County in the northern suburb of the city with stops at Qinghuayuan, Nankou, and Badaling Great Wall.
最高時速100公里，是城區和郊區的往返車。由於路程短，所以沒有軟座和軟臥。目前，北京北發往延慶列車S2線，停車點清華園、南口、八達嶺等等。
