1. faster. Buses tend to stop for any potential passenger along the way until all seats and the aisle are crowded. Then, it will stop for another half dozen people. Not so with the train.
2. cheaper – enough said.
3. bathroom available.
4. If nobody is standing, you can walk around.
5. no tv. On buses, you and your children are subjected to movies you’ve never desired to watch including violence and nudity. The movie selection is played by digital files set up by the bus company. Providing an alternative DVD isn’t an option.
6. The train stops for no water buffalo.
7. You can generally buy a sleeper bunk on a train for short as well as longer distances. What a difference it makes.
8. The train doesn’t take sharp winding bends at high velocities.
All in all, traveling by train in China is not unlike traveling as a passenger by RV in the states. I remember taking many a road trip laid out on the upper bed of our Winnebago RV watching the open road pass before me.
Good comparison. You forgot the nice ladies who come around with hot water. I love them!