Can I take train from Kunming Railway Station to the Stone Forest ? If yes, what are the schedules ?

Yes, you can. From KM to Shilin, there are 5 trains available scheduled at 07:30, 10:09, 11:15, 15:40 and 18:45. The travel time is about 2 hours, and the fare is CNY18.5 for the hard seat, CNY64.5 for the hard sleeper and CNY97.5 for the soft sleeper.

When returning, there are 4 trains available at 06:20, 08:26, 10:22 and 11:28. The travel time and the fare are still the same.

Jeremy, where does the train stop in Shilin ? From the train station, are there buses to Jiuxiang Cave Scenic Area and the stone scenic area ?

The train will stop at SLRailway Station. From the train station, you need to hire a car to Jiuxiang, and the fare is about CNY100.

To the stone scenic area, you can also take a taxi from the train station, and the fare is about CNY15. In front of the train station, there are also direct tourist bus to the scenic area, and the fare is CNY2.

Thanks Jeremy for the quick reply. I wonder if I just pay the RMB175 to visit the scenic area as it's much cheaper from the train station. It also has similar krast caves as in Jiuxiang Cave Scenic Area ? If yes, I should not waste another RMB120 to enter the Jiuxiang Cave Scenic Area, right ?

Jeremy, from the airport to hotels in KM do the taxis charge per head ? Or same charge whether the taxi fetch 1 person or a full load of 4 ? Would it be cheaper if I take taxi for the 4 in my family or take bus or take the train ?

The taxi changes by meters, not by head. Since your four travel together, I suggest you take a taxi, which is a cheaper and faster way than bus. The fare is the same no matter it fetch you only or all your family in four.

Your analysis is right. The taxi fare from the railway station to Jiuxiang cave is not cheap. Since Shilin karst has the similar caves, you don’t have to waste the money for the transportation and the entrance ticket.

Jeremy, thanks again for your quick and informative reply.
I'll be staying in Spring City Star Hotel Jifeng Branch, Beijing Road but will stay 1 night in Shilin Hotel. The buses from East Bus Station will stop where in Shilin ? From the bus station, are there buses to Shilin Hotel ? Similarly, are there buses from Shilin Railway Station to Shilin Hotel ? If I take taxi in Shilin to Shilin Hotel, will the taxi use the meter - I'm scared they will rip me off.
What time is the last bus to leave Shilin back to KM?