Train tickets

From one comment above, it appears that ticket availability on ctrip is not live. I did not check that recently but it is possible. When I last check, most although not all other ticket agents had live information. I know that it is the case for china-diy-travel since they connect on 12306.
For what is just about the same price, you are better off dealing with china highlights or China diy travel who offer customer service than dealing with ctrip that has none for train tickets.

For what is just about the same price, you are better off dealing with china highlights or China diy travel who offer customer service than dealing with ctrip that has none for train tickets.

Indeed. The fee it's a little bit higher but totally worth it. At least for first timers like me.

Yes, it looks like the 5RMB out-of-town fee was cancelled last October.

As for ctrip versus the small agencies, it depends on how you like to shop. Ctrip is an automated online travel agent. It's a DIY experience and great for those who just want to go online and quickly book and pay. If you'd prefer a bit of hand-holding and would like to deal with a person not a machine, then the small agencies work for you.

Really, just like buying an air ticket these days. Some people like the automated online experience. Some people want to deal personally with an agent. Your taste your choice.

I think that it also depends on how much time you want to devote in doing all the research and how tricky your route is. Buying Beijing-Shanghai tickets is a no-brainer. Trying to get tickets out of Pingyao for example, getting help will save a lot of time and frustration. And they pretty much all charge the same commission so why not get the support.

Because once you know what you're doing, it's just a lot easier to book and pay in five minutes on ctrip than rustle up an agent sitting in God-knows-what timezone to do the same thing for you. Why pay a higher commission than you have to, for "support" you don't need. You can cancel and get a refund in a couple minutes online on ctrip. With the agencies, you have to contact them separately.

But as I said, it boils down to personal preference. Just that trying to sell China Highlights as somehow inherently superior to ctrip is wrong.

I've used both options and both seem OK for different situations. It's not that one is better than the other, it's that each one fits better some needs. Trying to buy tickets from Pingyao or Luoyang it's been a bit difficult and I'm happy for the service that China Highlights has provided for a little extra. I wouldn't have paid that extra for example for the tickets from Taiyuan to Pingyao.
As you said, to each his own. I'm happy with both services and I'll continue using both.

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