Rail vs Air

Now that booking is available for the 7th, I checked the trains and prices on the app.

Didn't see any overnight trains. The daytime D trains take about 12 hours and about 300RMB ($40-50) cheaper than air. The faster bullet trains shave off about 1.5 hrs and cost about the same as air. Also, doesn't include food (15 – 45 RMB per meal) whereas most airlines do.

On the other hand, all of the planes go from NKG to TFU airports, which are both far from the city. So the metro for each side would take additional 1-2 hrs. Then add the airline early arrival/check-in/check-out/baggage pickup... feels like that is going to be like around 9 hours for the trip too. Hm.

( options & prices )

Comparing airlines, 祥鹏 has some bad reviews.

Air China has the best carry-on options. (I have a small suitcase for clothes and stuff, and 1 backpack for laptop/electronics. I am guessing for the other domestic airlines aside from Air China, I would need to check in the suitcase if I want to carry-on the backpack?)

For convenience in terms of how early I need to get up by... em, the Juneyao flight at 11 AM seems to be the best time.

EDIT 3/28 -- Still not getting past the ID verification for train site. Juneyao is also not allowing me to register an account (via either phone number). Blargh.

I plan to buy the ticket in person at the ticket office for:
南京南 08:46 - 18:28 成都东 (09h42m) - G1974 - 809 RMB
(F window row)