Hi everyone,
I am planning to travel to Tibet in June, after having been in Nanjing. What would be the best (and as cheap as possible) way to do that? I can't go directly from NJ to Tibet, can I? So then, should I go to CHengdu, or Shanghai? I don't want to spend 8 days on trains, but I also don't want to spend tons of $ on flights. So I'd like to do a combination that is as efficient and cheap as possible. ANy recommendations?
erintrimble
2
taderbush
ellyse,
Can you explain that? My instincts would be to head to Chengdu from Nanjing? Going to Beijing from Nanjing is 2/3rds the distance to Chengdu, and in the wrong direction. The flight or train to Tibet from Beijing is surely going to be more than from Chengdu. So what is the benefit to going to Beijing?
3
ellyse
The trains for Nanjing -- Chengdu are all going to take >31 hours, too slow. Whereas Nanjing -- Beijing is just overnight.
Contrary to what you think, trains for Beijing -- Lhasa and Chengdu -- Lhasa are all about 48 hours, irregardless of distance.
Maps can sometimes be very unhelpful as the train speeds aren't reflected on those.
Cheers!
4
chengdude
Not sure how all the different costs would add up and compare, but:
-You'll find better discounts and more flights Nanjing to Beijing that from NJ to Chengdu.
-If you want to use the train, you'll grow old going to Chengdu from Nanjing; much better options to Beijing.
5
taderbush
A little checking shows flights to Beijing from Nanjing can be snagged at 300 Yuan while heading to Chengdu are discounted to 620 Yuan. These rates are good for the next week or so. A quick search shows you can get an overnight hard sleeper for about 265 Yuan on the Z50 train to Beijing. So the difference in fare to Lhasa between Chengdu and Beijing has a roughly 300 Yuan bias going to BJ. The flight is only 35 Yuan more than the train, but you can avoid a hotel bill via the train. Very curious.
7
taderbush
Think it includes tax, but check yourself on http://www.elong.com and chase dates from "today" to approximately a week forward. This will give you a pattern on what is going on. If you are contemplating going in a month or so, you can't count on what the final discounted price will be. The discounts depend of course on load factors and what flight you choose, (morning/night?) plus what day you want to fly. You need to spend some time on line to catch what is the pattern of discounting on the particular route. You "usually" will be quoted full fare a couple weeks forward-- but if there is going to be any discounting, it will usually start about a week out, and the prices will drop to a low point, sometime during the week, and in certain instances, may actually creep back up as the plane fills.
Hope I have answered your question.
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