I have been watching this site for a few days and find the responses to questions unbelievable. I live in Tianjin and have never found a problem with the trains or getting tickets except three days before and after a national holiday. The trains are fast and effecient and the busses are slow and well, a nightmare.If you have a foreign passport, getting tickets immediately to travel within the next few hours is never a problem as the rules seem to give foreigners priority. I would advise that you NEVER opt for a bus unless you really have to. The only time they are preferable is to go to beijing airport where they drop you at the door for 70yuan or vice-versa