Imagine embarking on a self-drive journey without the long haul behind the wheel. This summer, the Chinese railway system is rolling out a pioneering service that transports your car by train while you catch a faster train or flight to your destination.
Under the new summer car transport service, travellers and vehicles travel separately but reunite at the station of arrival. It is a game-changer for anyone dreaming of an epic road trip without the fatigue or logistics of a 2,000-kilometer drive.
Take the case of Ms. Zhang Rui from Chongqing. She had planned a self-drive expedition to Lhasa with her child, but the challenging roads and a four-to-five-day drive stood in the way. Zhang explained that the 2,000-kilometer journey would take days and leave them exhausted.
Instead, Zhang booked the rail car transport: her pickup was loaded onto the train in Chongqing, while she flew to Lhasa. At 4,400 yuan (about $616), the rail option cut her trip expenses by more than 40 percent—saving on fuel, tolls and hotel stays—and freed up precious vacation time.
For digital nomads, young adventurers and thought leaders seeking sustainable, budget-savvy travel, China's summer rail car service is a fresh way to blend convenience, cost-efficiency and that open road spirit.
Reference(s):
New summer car transport service by rail boosts self-driving travel
cgtn.com
