Chinese New Year and train vs plane

[Justinf]

Got a trip to China early next year and stupidly had no idea I would be attempting to travel from Beijing to Shanghai on Chinese New Year's Day (Jan 29).
I have accommodation etc all booked and was planning on getting the high-speed rail, but am now considering just flying given that the crowds will be immense.
And yes, there will be crowds at train stations as well as airports.
Any advice on the most hassle-free option on this day?
Hainan airlines has a 10.50am flight for an affordable $139.
Other carriers are up over $350.
I was quite looking forward to business class on the high-speed rail and although it's expensive at around $500, I was prepared to fork out for the experience. Would rather not fork out for a stock, standard domestic flight.

 

[elanshin]

There won't be a "hassle" free travel option.
Luckily though jan 29 (new years day) should actually be not as bad. The mass people migration should have occurred the days before.
Think of it like flying on Christmas day or new years day. Most of the migration happens beforehand so they dan celebrate the might before.

I'd personally still try for a train if you can. Just set lots of reminders to go book exactly when it's released.

 

[AIRwin]

Hainan airlines has a 10.50am flight for an affordable $139.

You can earn Velocity points

 

[Quickstatus]

For 2025
The Lunar new year holidays are 8 days of 28Jan -04Feb

The "Chunyun" or the Great Spring Migration - approx 400-500 million people will move in China back to hometowns - and is typically 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after the above period.
But the worst days are the 2-4 days prior and sane after.

So you should be Ok.

 

[Justinf]

For 2025
The Lunar new year holidays are 8 days of 28Jan -04Feb

The "Chunyun" or the Great Spring Migration - approx 400-500 million people will move in China back to hometowns - and is typically 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after the above period.
But the worst days are the 2-4 days prior and sane after.

So you should be Ok.

It’ll be fun to experience it, although not with a family, but I really didn’t think this through.
It is what it is.

 

[markis10]

Business class you get private boarding and lounge access, away from the masses, should be fine.

 

[Justinf]

Business class you get private boarding and lounge access, away from the masses, should be fine.View attachment 418107

Yeah It is a bit like gran class in Japan.