How much does a train cost per kilometer? Revealing the calculation logic behind fares
In recent years, high-speed trains and high-speed rail have become the preferred means of transportation for short- and medium-distance travel in China. Many passengers are curious when buying tickets: How is the train fare calculated? How much does it cost per kilometer? This article will combine the hot topics and structured data on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the composition of train fares.
1. Basic composition of train fares

my country's train fares adopt a combination of government-guided prices and market-regulated prices, which are mainly affected by the following factors:
| Influencing factors | Description | Weight ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Basic freight rate | Base price by mileage | 50%-60% |
| Model level | Fuxinghao/Harmonyhao and other different models | 15%-20% |
| floating fare | Dynamic adjustment during holidays/peak periods | 10%-15% |
| line cost | Special sections such as bridges and tunnels | 5%-10% |
2. Comparison of prices per kilometer of main mobile vehicle models
According to the latest fare data of 12306 (statistics in September 2023), the unit price comparison of various types of EMUs is as follows:
| car model | Second class seat (yuan/km) | First class seat (yuan/km) | Business class (yuan/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR400 Fuxinghao | 0.46-0.50 | 0.73-0.80 | 1.40-1.60 |
| CRH380 series | 0.42-0.45 | 0.65-0.70 | 1.20-1.35 |
| CRH3 series | 0.38-0.42 | 0.60-0.65 | 1.10-1.25 |
3. Actual case analysis of popular routes
Three typical lines were selected for actual fare calculation (data as of September 15, 2023):
| line | Mileage (km) | Second class ticket price | Unit price (yuan/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing-Shanghai | 1318 | 553 yuan | 0.42 |
| Guangzhou-Shenzhen | 147 | 74.5 yuan | 0.51 |
| Chengdu-Chongqing | 299 | 146 yuan | 0.49 |
4. Special factors affecting unit price
1.principle of diminishing distance: The unit price of lines within 500 kilometers is relatively high, and the unit price of long-distance lines over 1,000 kilometers will be reduced by 5%-8%.
2.parallel line contention: If there are multiple parallel high-speed trains on the Beijing-Shanghai line, the fare will be reduced by 3%-5%
3.Premium for new lines: The initial unit price of newly opened lines (such as the Hangzhou-Shaoxing-Taiwan High-speed Railway) will be about 10% higher than that of conventional lines.
5. International Comparison and Future Trends
Comparison of global high-speed rail fares (converted to RMB):
| country | Second-class seat unit price (yuan/km) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| China | 0.40-0.50 | Fuxinghao Standard |
| Japan | 1.20-1.50 | Shinkansen |
| france | 0.80-1.00 | TGV |
According to the China Railway Group, more refined policies will be implemented in the future.Dynamic fare system: The price may drop by 20% during non-popular periods, and may rise by 15% during peak periods such as Spring Festival travel. At the same time, smart carriages (such as silent carriages and family compartments) may bring a 5%-10% premium.
Summary:At present, my country's train fares are generally within a reasonable range. The price per kilometer is about 0.4-0.5 yuan (second-class seat), which is equivalent to 1/8 of the price of a taxi and 1/3 of the price of economy class on an airplane. It is recommended that passengers choose flexibly according to their itinerary: it is more affordable to choose the D-prefixed train for short distances, and the G-prefixed high-speed train for long distances is more cost-effective.
check the details
check the details