THE Chinese New Year festival is the time when the nation's transport systems are stretched to the limit. But there are still ways to get about and you can enjoy a trip or two. Tan Xian and Kartz Qian have some good advice.

With China's biggest festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year, fast approaching, a detailed travel plan is necessary if you decide to stay in China for the week-long holiday.

Preparation is crucial - tickets are usually very difficult to get as migrants battle to return home before the Spring Festival, a time for family reunion. China expects 2.32 billion passenger trips during the holiday rush. The Ministry of Railways estimated 188 million of these journeys would be train trips. Traveler-times by bus and by water will reach 2.07 billion and 31 million respectively.

But the traffic usually eases when the traditional holiday begins (this year's Lunar New Year's Day falls on January 26) as most people have already got home in time for the nianyefan, or Lunar New Year's Eve dinner.

Travel destinations may be busy again after the third day of the holiday when most people usually finish their new year visits to relatives and then plan outings.

For the first 15 days of the Spring Festival travel rush, transport to big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou is usually booked out, so buying tickets early is vital - the earlier the better. Remote destinations are not recommended - this is the only time of year that many migrants return home, so tickets are even more difficult to buy.

By air

Take flight not fright for the festival The Chinese New Year festival is the time when the nation's transport systems are stretched to the limit. But there are still ways to get about and you can enjoy a trip or two. Tan Xian and Kartz Qian have some good advice With China's biggest festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year, fast approaching, a detailed travel plan is necessary if you decide to stay in China for the week-long holiday.

Preparation is crucial ?? tickets are usually very difficult to get as migrants battle to return home before the Spring Festival, a time for family reunion.

China expects 2.32 billion passenger trips during the holiday rush. The Ministry of Railways estimated 188 million of these journeys would be train trips. Traveler-times by bus and by water will reach 2.07 billion and 31 million respectively.

But the traffic usually eases when the traditional holiday begins (this year's Lunar New Year's Day falls on January 26) as most people have already got home in time for the nianyefan, or Lunar New Year's Eve dinner.

Travel destinations may be busy again after the third day of the holiday when most people usually finish their new year visits to relatives and then plan outings.

For the first 15 days of the Spring Festival travel rush, transport to big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou is usually booked out, so buying tickets early is vital ?? the earlier the better.

Remote destinations are not recommended ?? this is the only time of year that many migrants return home, so tickets are even more difficult to buy. If you can afford it, air travel is probably the best choice as most college students and migrant workers take trains or buses.

This year's air tickets sales are a bit down because of the global financial crisis. It has been estimated that ticket sales could drop 40 percent with fewer people traveling during the holiday to save money.

However, air tickets may still be in big demand on special days like the Lunar New Year's Eve. The later you buy on these days, the less chance you will have.

Air tickets can be booked online or on hotlines. Many travel agencies also sell tickets and many of them speak good English. The tickets can be delivered to your home.

Air tickets during the Spring Festival usually sell at their full price with no discounts.

Booking hotlines (English service available)

Shanghai Airlines: 1010-5858

China Eastern Airlines: 96566

Air China: 400-8100-999

China South Airlines: 95539

Booking Websites: www.elong.net

www.english.ctrip.com

http://ticket.9588.com

www.fnetravel.com

www.zuji.com

Car rental

Renting a car is the second best choice ?? you don't need to rub shoulders with others on trains or buses, or crack your brains trying to get an air ticket.

Car rental companies may charge extra for the holiday. As driving in China for expats is challenging, some companies rent cars with drivers who speak a little English.

The cost is still reasonable if a family travels together. Big companies have price lists. Generally a Volksvagen Passat costs about 600 yuan (US$88) a day for the first 100 kilometers and 3 yuan per kilometer after.

Car-renting companies with English services:

Shanghai ASD Car Renting

Tel: 5465-7659, 13472525956

Website: www.carrenting.cn/en

AVIS

Booking center

E-mail: booking@avischina.com

Service center

E-mail: customerservices@avischina.com

Shanghai hotline:

6229-1119

By bus

Unlike the American Greyhound line which caters for lower incomes, buses in China are usually rated according to performance, comfort and interior fittings.

The city has some great new buses, with some specially designed for long journeys with beds, restrooms and basic services. The price also varies according to the service offered.

Buses are usually not as crowded as railways because the system is more flexible. The Shanghai Coach Center is adding more than 300 vehicles to handle the Spring Festival travel rush.

Another good reason to choose buses is that migrants often take buses as a second choice when they fail to get railway tickets.

Bus fares have been reduced after the government canceled road maintenance fees. But the government also allows a 30-percent increase for fares.

There are some agents and Websites selling bus tickets. However, most only offer a Chinese-speaking service.

Booking Websites:

www.cgbchina.com (the largest coach ticket Website in Shanghai)

Coach stations

Shanghai South Coach Station

Tel: 5435-3535

Address: 399 Laohumin Rd, Xuhui District (near Shanghai South Railway Station)

Shanghai Coach Center

Tel: 6629-9116

Address: 1662 Zhongxing Rd, Zhabei District

Wujiaochang Coach Station

Tel: 6588-6901

Address: 456 Guowei Rd, Yangpu District Tips for Spring Festival travel

1. The travel rush occurs because most migrants go back to their homes in the Chinese New Year tradition. Families, especially in hinterland provinces, will not start nianyefan, New Year's Eve dinner, until all the members have arrived.

2. The travel rush this year will last for 40 days from January 11 to February 19.

3. College students and migrant workers are the bulk of the travel rush participants. Students have a longer vacation period and are the first to travel back home in the rush period.

4. Railway is the most popular transport because of its lower prices. But tickets can be very difficult to get and many people queue for days and nights. Travelers can only buy tickets 10 days in advance.