Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Foreign travelers can book China train tickets online using their passport information. Tickets are issued electronically, and passengers usually board with the same passport used for booking.

China train tickets are usually released about 15 days before departure. During Chinese holidays and peak travel seasons, popular routes may sell out quickly.

You can book any date on our site — if tickets haven't been released yet, we'll note your request and grab them the moment they go on sale, which gives you a much better chance of getting the seats you want.

Yes. Foreign travelers must use their passport number when booking, and the passport acts as your ID for the whole trip:

• You need the physical passport at the station entrance gate — it's scanned along with the booking.
• You may be asked to show it at the boarding gate on the platform.
• The passport number in the booking must match your actual passport exactly. One typo and you'll be stopped at the gate.

If you renew your passport between booking and travel, bring both old and new passports, or rebook using the new number.

Technically yes, but it's painful. Ticket windows have minimal English support, lines at major stations run 30–60 minutes, and any issue with your passport number turns into a language-barrier nightmare.

A better approach:

• Book online before you arrive — far more options than what's visible at the counter.
• The self-service machines don't accept passports, only Chinese IDs, so they're not an option for most foreigners.
• Download Google Translate's Chinese offline pack before the trip, just in case.

One practical tip: type your route and date into your phone in Chinese (e.g. 北京 → 上海 5月15日 高铁) and show it to the staff. Works better than talking.

Through third-party sites like Trip.com (English) or our site, no Chinese phone number required — a foreign mobile number or email is enough to book and receive the confirmation.

The official 12306 app does require a Chinese number for SMS verification. Most foreign travelers skip it and use an English-language reseller.

A few common reasons:

• Cancellations — when people refund, seats go back into the pool. The two biggest release windows are 24 hours and 12 hours before departure. Refresh then.
• Candidate queue (候补票) — 12306 reserves some inventory for the candidate system, which the public search hides.
• Segmented tickets — a train from A → D may be sold out, but A → B + B → D could still have seats.

Also try nearby stations. Beijing alone has five major stations (Beijing, Beijing South, Beijing West, Beijing North, Qinghe) with separate inventory.

Yes. When booking, "add a passenger" and enter their full name exactly as shown on the passport, passport number, and date of birth. One account can hold multiple passengers.

Important details:

• Each passenger needs their own physical passport to board.
• The payment method doesn't have to match the passenger name.
• You do not need to be on the same booking to travel together — you can buy separately and still sit in the same car.

No. Since 2020, China Railway has fully rolled out e-tickets (电子客票). For foreign passengers:

• Your passport is your ticket. Tap it on the reader at the entrance gate — the gate opens and a small slip prints with your seat info (optional, many ignore it).
• No need to visit the ticket window, no paper ticket to exchange, no QR code to scan from your phone.

Old guides still tell you to collect a paper ticket from a machine or window before entering. Ignore that — it hasn't been necessary for years.

The only time you'd want a paper receipt is for business reimbursement. You can print it from any ticket machine or window within 30 days of travel using your passport.

Rule of thumb:

• Small stations: 20–30 minutes.
• Medium cities: 30–45 minutes.
• Major hubs (Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South): 60 minutes. These stations are huge and crowded.

You'll go through:

1. ID check at the outer entrance (passport scan).
2. Security (X-ray) — bags and body scanner.
3. Finding your waiting area.
4. Ticket check at the gate, usually 15 minutes before departure.
5. Walking down to the platform.

The gate closes 5 minutes before departure. After that, no entry regardless of why you're late.

Yes, and this catches first-timers out. Major cities have separate stations for high-speed and regular trains, often far apart:

• Beijing: Beijing (北京站), Beijing South (北京南), Beijing West (北京西), Beijing North (北京北), Qinghe (清河). G-trains to Shanghai leave from Beijing South; to Xi'an from Beijing West.
• Shanghai: Shanghai (上海站), Shanghai Hongqiao (虹桥), Shanghai South (上海南). Most G-trains leave from Hongqiao.
• Guangzhou: Guangzhou (广州), Guangzhou South (广州南), Guangzhou East (广州东).

Always double-check which station your ticket is from. They can be 30–60 minutes apart by taxi, and the names look similar.

Everything accepts digital payment now — WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay. Both WeChat and Alipay allow foreign credit cards to be linked (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and work for most small purchases.

Cash is technically still accepted (it's required by law), but many small vendors will grumble. Keep some ¥20 and ¥50 notes on hand for taxis, noodle stalls, or the rare machine that doesn't take cards.

Foreign credit cards swiped directly rarely work at small shops but do work at big chains (McDonald's, Starbucks, station food courts).

The letter on the train number tells you the category:

• G (高铁) — 300–350 km/h, dedicated high-speed tracks. Fastest and priciest.
• D (动车) — 200–250 km/h, sometimes shares tracks with regular trains.
• C (城际) — high-speed intercity, typically under 200 km between nearby cities.
• Z (直达) — direct express, usually overnight sleeper trains, 160 km/h.
• T (特快) — express, similar speed to Z but more stops.
• K (快速) — "fast" train. Slower than T, stops more, cheaper, older rolling stock.
• No letter, just numbers — the slowest, regular local trains. Rare for foreign travelers.

For popular routes there are usually multiple options. Unless you specifically want the overnight sleeper experience, G is the default.

On G and D trains, the main seat classes from cheapest to most expensive:

• Second Class (二等座) — 3+2 layout, 86 cm pitch, reclines slightly. 90% of foreign travelers ride this. Comfortable for trips under 6 hours.
• First Class (一等座) — 2+2 layout, 100 cm pitch, wider seats, better recline. About 1.6× the price of Second Class.
• Business Class (商务座) — 2+1 layout, lie-flat, free meal, priority boarding. About 3× First Class and 5× Second Class. Worth it for overnight routes or if the price gap is small.

Some newer Fuxing trains also offer "Premium Second (特等座)" — slightly better than First, significantly cheaper than Business.

Sleepers only exist on slower overnight trains (mostly Z, T, K). Each compartment has berths — lower is pricier than middle, which is pricier than upper.

• Hard Sleeper (硬卧) — 6 berths per compartment (3 on each side), no door, shared curtain-less space. Basic mattress, pillow, blanket provided.
• Soft Sleeper (软卧) — 4 berths per compartment, door closes, slightly nicer bedding. About 1.6× the price of hard sleeper.
• Deluxe Soft Sleeper (高级软卧) — 2 berths per compartment, private, available on a few select trains.

Lower berth is best for a first-time experience — easier to sit up, eat, look out the window. Upper is cheapest but you can't sit upright.

Yes, but only if higher-class seats are available. Once on board, find the conductor (列车长) — usually in the dining car or the middle of the train — and ask to upgrade. You pay the price difference on the spot using WeChat Pay, Alipay, or UnionPay.

Realistically, on popular routes everything is full, so upgrades rarely happen. Don't count on it as a strategy.

The official rules are generous compared to airlines:

• Adults: up to 20 kg, max dimensions 130 cm (L+W+H combined).
• Children: up to 10 kg.
• Diplomats: up to 35 kg.

Weight is almost never checked. Size matters more — your bag needs to fit in the overhead rack (roughly 75 × 50 × 40 cm) or under your seat. Standard carry-on suitcases (24 inches or smaller) are fine. 28-inch checked-size suitcases fit on the larger rack at the end of each carriage but fill up fast.

There's no checked luggage service on passenger trains — everything goes with you.

Everyone and every bag goes through an X-ray at the station entrance. Commonly confiscated items:

• Lighters: 2 max per person, 20 mL of butane fuel max.
• Power banks: must show clear mAh / Wh rating. No printed rating → confiscated. Above 20,000 mAh is usually rejected.
• Knives: any blade over 6 cm is banned, including fruit knives and multi-tools.
• Liquids: hand sanitizer limited to 100 mL total. Alcohol over 70% is banned; 24–70% capped at 3,000 mL in original sealed bottles.
• Aerosols: 120 mL max per can, 600 mL total.
• Fireworks, weapons, anything flammable: never.

If something gets pulled, you usually have two options: hand it over, or leave the station to dispose of it. There's no way to "check" a banned item.

Three options, in order of convenience:

1. Overhead rack — above your seat. Holds carry-on sized bags (20–24 inch).
2. Large luggage rack — at each end of the carriage, above the connecting doors. Holds larger suitcases. First come, first served.
3. Space behind the last row — some trains have a small area between the last seat and the wall. Useful if the racks are full.

Board early if you have a big suitcase. Gates usually open 15 minutes before departure, and the large racks fill up in the first few minutes.

Yes, but it's overpriced and average at best:

• Cart service — staff push carts through the aisles with instant noodles (¥20), snacks, and boxed meals (¥40–60).
• Dining car — G and D trains usually have one. Menu is limited; ¥45–80 per dish. Go during off-peak hours, not right after departure.
• Pre-order meals — on 12306, you can order a meal from a station along the route (Beijing, Shanghai, etc.) delivered to your seat when the train stops. Better quality, same price.

Most regulars buy food at the station convenience store before boarding — wider choice, half the price.

A handful of newer Fuxing sets on the Beijing–Shanghai corridor have WiFi, but it's slow, cuts out in tunnels, and often requires a Chinese phone number to log in. Don't plan on it.

What actually works:

• Your own mobile data. Chinese 4G/5G coverage along the rail network is excellent, including in most tunnels. A local SIM or eSIM gives you 100+ Mbps almost everywhere.
• Power outlets: every train has them. In Second Class, one outlet is typically shared between every two seats (look near the floor).

On G-trains, toilets are surprisingly clean — there's an attendant on every train who cleans them during the journey. Each restroom has one Western-style sit toilet and usually one squat toilet.

Toilet paper is provided but can run out on long routes. Soap, sink, hot-air hand dryer — all standard. Bring tissues and hand sanitizer just in case.

On older Z/T/K trains, toilets are more basic and not always clean, especially near the end of the journey.

No. All high-speed trains (G, D, C) are completely non-smoking, including in toilets and between carriages. Smoke detectors will trigger an emergency brake, followed by a fine of ¥500–2,000 and being named on a China Railway blacklist that affects future bookings.

On older Z/T/K trains there used to be designated smoking areas between carriages, but most are now non-smoking as of 2024. Check the signage onboard — do not assume.

Ticket info looks like 03车 12F — carriage 3, seat 12F.

Seat letter layout on G/D trains:

• Business Class (2+1): A, C | F
• First Class (2+2): A, C | D, F
• Second Class (3+2): A, B, C | D, F

A and F are always window seats. C and D are aisles. B is the middle in Second Class. There is no letter E — this is a legacy from Chinese aviation conventions.

The carriage number is shown in large digits outside the door when you board. On the platform, LED displays tell you where each carriage will stop.

Yes, with fees. Both changes and refunds must be done before the departure time.

Change (改签):

• Before departure — free, no fee regardless of how late.
• You can change once per ticket. After that, refund and rebook.
• If the new fare is higher, pay the difference. If lower, the difference is refunded.

Refund (退票) fee by time before departure:

• More than 8 days: 5% fee
• 48 hours – 8 days: 5% fee
• 24 – 48 hours: 10% fee
• Less than 24 hours: 20% fee
• After departure: no refund

If you booked through a third-party site, do the refund through that same site — going to the station counter may not work.

China Railway is strict: if you miss the departure, your ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable — it becomes a worthless stub.

One small exception: if you miss the train because of a connecting train delay on the same day, go to the "改签 / Ticket Change" window at the station within a few hours and they may be able to put you on the next available departure. Not guaranteed.

The practical rule: get to the station 45–60 minutes before departure. Big stations like Beijing South or Shanghai Hongqiao need at least an hour for security, ticket check, and finding your gate.

For trains cancelled by the railway, you get a full refund with no fee, via the original payment channel. This is automatic if you booked online; at the counter, present your passport.

For trains delayed beyond a certain threshold (usually several hours), you can refund with no fee or take the next available train at no cost. Short delays under an hour aren't eligible — you just wait.

Weather-related closures are handled the same way. The system is cautious: snowstorms or typhoons can shut down whole corridors, and full refunds are automatic.

For many routes under 1,000 km, high-speed rail can be faster door-to-door because train stations are usually closer to city centers and boarding takes less time than airport check-in.

Depends on the route, but a few favorites from experience:

• Beijing → Shanghai: F side (right when facing forward) for more open countryside, A side for distant Tai Shan views.
• Guangzhou → Guilin: A side for the famous karst mountains.
• Xi'an → Chengdu: both sides are great, you pass through Qinling mountains and long tunnels.
• Lhasa routes: A side going west (toward Lhasa) for Namtso lake views, F side going east.

On most G-trains, remember the train may reverse direction at some stations — your "window seat" might end up facing backward. Nothing to do about it; just enjoy the view.

Popular first-time itineraries use trains to connect Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Chengdu over 10 to 14 days. High-speed rail makes it practical to see 4 to 5 cities in two weeks without flying domestically.

The essentials that make a 6+ hour ride much nicer:

• Snacks and water — station prices, not onboard prices.
• Power bank (with printed capacity) and your charger.
• Noise-cancelling headphones — kids, phone videos played on loudspeaker, announcements every 15 minutes. Worth it.
• Tissues and hand sanitizer.
• A light jacket or cardigan — AC is usually set cold, especially in summer.
• Slip-on shoes if it's an overnight sleeper.
• Downloaded entertainment. Assume no WiFi, and don't rely on streaming even over your own data in tunnels.

Spring Festival travel is the world's largest annual human migration — roughly 9 billion trips over 40 days. Tickets sell out in seconds. A few survival tips:

• Book at the exact release moment: 08:00 Beijing time, 15 days before your target date. Have your passport details saved and payment method ready.
• Use the 候补 (candidate queue). If sold out, submit a candidate request; 12306 auto-books for you when a cancellation frees up a seat.
• Consider alternatives: a less popular train type, a connecting route, or leaving a day earlier.
• Avoid travel on the day before New Year's Eve and the last day of the holiday — those are the worst.
• Stations are shoulder-to-shoulder. Leave extra time, know your gate number, and don't count on last-minute food purchases — convenience stores run empty.

If your only option is an overnight standing ticket through a 20-hour route, consider flying instead.