Train Ticket Booking Guide
How to book, collect, and board China trains as a foreigner. Step-by-step for 12306, Trip.com, and the ticket counter.
China's high-speed rail network moves over 800 million passengers a year. Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. For popular routes and holidays, they sell out in minutes - this guide covers everything you need to secure your seat.
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How to book
Three methods, ranked by ease for foreign travellers.
1. Trip.com (easiest for foreigners)
- ✓English interface, accepts international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Apple Pay, and PayPal
- ✓ Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on the ID page. Name must match the machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport - Surname Givenname, no punctuation
- ✓ Small service fee (US$2-5 per ticket, ≈¥15-35). Worth it for the English UI, foreign card support, and the ability to book months in advance
- ✓ Trip.com lets you place an order months ahead. They hold your request and automatically buy the ticket the moment the 15-day official window opens
- ✓ E-ticket is issued immediately. No need to collect a paper ticket - just show your passport at the gate
2. 12306 official app (cheapest)
- ✓Download: Search "Railway 12306" in your app store. As of 2026, the app has a full English version - switch in Settings → Language
- ✓Registration: Enter passport number, full name (matching the machine-readable zone on your passport - no punctuation), and a phone number. A Chinese phone number is no longer required as of 2026 - foreign numbers now work. Real-name verification is mandatory. If online verification fails, visit any station ticket window with your passport to verify in person (one-time only)
- ✓Payment: As of 2026, 12306 now accepts Visa and Mastercard directly, plus Alipay and WeChat Pay. No service fee
- ✓ Book 15 days in advance. Tickets are released daily at 14:00 Beijing time. Popular routes sell out within minutes
- ✓ You can book up to 4 tickets per order. Add fellow travellers in the Passenger section - each needs separate passport verification
3. Station ticket counter
- ✓ Available at every railway station. Look for the "Ticket Office" (售票处) sign
- ✓ Bring your passport. Staff may not speak English - have your destination and date written in Chinese or use a translation app
- ✓ Accepts cash (RMB), Alipay, and WeChat Pay
- ✓ Same-day tickets are often sold out for popular routes - book ahead online whenever possible
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): Tickets sell out nationwide within minutes of release during the 40-day travel rush (typically late January to early March). If you are travelling during this period, book the moment tickets go on sale - and have a backup plan.
Ticket types & classes
| Class | Train type | Seats per row | Price (Beijing-Shanghai) | Best for |
|---|
| 2nd Class | G / D trains (day) | 3+2 (5 seats) | ¥576-697 | Budget, short trips under 3 hours |
| 1st Class | G / D trains (day) | 2+2 (4 seats) | ¥967-1,115 | More legroom, quieter carriage |
| Business Class | G trains (day) | 2+1 (3 seats) | ¥1,995-2,427 | Fully reclining seat, lounge access, meal included |
| 1st Class Sleeper | D trains (overnight) | 4 bunks / cabin | ¥789-874 | Privacy curtain, reading lamp, power socket |
| 2nd Class Sleeper | D trains (overnight) | Open-plan bunks | ¥642-711 | Budget overnight on modern rolling stock |
Ticket collection & boarding
E-tickets (since 2020)
- ✓ China railways now use e-ticketing nationwide. Your passport is your ticket - no paper ticket needed
- ✓ At the station gate, scan your passport (not a QR code). Look for gates marked with a passport icon - not all automatic gates accept foreign passports. If the gate rejects it, use the staffed manual gate beside it
- ✓ Staff gates are always available if the automatic gate fails. Just show your passport and booking reference number
Arrival at the station
- ✓Arrive 30-45 minutes early for major stations (Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South). Security and ID checks add time
- ✓ Security: X-ray bags, walk through metal detector. No separate passport check at this stage
- ✓ Find your waiting room (候车室). Your train number and gate are displayed on large screens - or check Trip.com / 12306 app
- ✓ Boarding begins 10-15 minutes before departure. Gates close 3-5 minutes before departure - there is no grace period for late passengers
Tip: Most HSR stations are enormous. Beijing South has 24 platforms over 3 floors. If unsure, follow the crowd - or ask a station staff member by showing your train number on your phone.
Cancellation & changes
| Change or cancel | Fee |
|---|
| More than 8 days before departure | Free |
| 48 hours - 8 days before | 5% of fare |
| 24-48 hours before | 10% of fare |
| Less than 24 hours before | 20% of fare |
| After departure | Cannot cancel |
How to cancel or change: Trip.com - cancel directly in the app (refund in 1-5 working days). 12306 - cancel in the app or at any station ticket window with your passport. Changes (改签) are free once per ticket if the new train has available seats, but you pay or receive the fare difference.
Practical tips
Before you travel
- ✓Write your name correctly: Register on 12306 or Trip.com with your surname and given name exactly as they appear in the machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport. A single misplaced letter or space can cause the gate to reject your passport
- ✓Book early: Tickets go on sale at 14:00 Beijing time, 15 days before departure. Popular routes (Beijing-Shanghai, Guangzhou-Shenzhen) and holidays sell out within minutes
- ✓No waiting list: Unlike airlines, China railways do not have a waitlist system. If a train shows "无票" (no tickets), check alternative routes or dates
- ✓Luggage: No strict weight limit, but oversized items (bicycles, large instruments) may need to be checked. You carry your own luggage - there is no porter service
On the train
- ✓Power sockets: Under the seat on most HSR trains. 220V, standard Chinese 2-pin + 3-pin sockets. USB ports available in 1st class and above
- ✓Dining: A dining car (餐车) sells hot meals, snacks, and drinks. Instant noodles are the unofficial national rail food - hot water dispensers are at the end of every carriage
- ✓Speed: G-series trains cruise at 300-350 km/h. Network coverage can be patchy - download entertainment before boarding
- ✓Smoking: Strictly prohibited on all trains. Heavy fines enforced. Trains make brief station stops where smokers can step off for 2 minutes - but listen for the boarding whistle
Name mismatch: If your booking name does not match your passport exactly - even by a single space or hyphen - the gate will reject you. If this happens, go to the ticket counter immediately. Staff can manually verify and override.
Updated August 2026