How to Buy Train Tickets in China as a Foreigner

Short answer

You can buy train tickets in China with a foreign passport, but it's not as smooth as it is for locals. The official app (12306) supports passports but can be finicky. Trip.com is usually easier for foreigners. Either way, your ticket is tied to your passport — bring the physical document to the station.

Where to buy tickets

• Trip.com (携程国际版): Best option for foreigners. English interface, accepts international cards, handles passport info well. Book days or weeks in advance.
• 12306 app (official): Works but the English version is limited. Passport verification can fail or take time. Worth trying if you want the cheapest price with no markup.
• Station ticket counter: Walk up with your passport and tell them where you want to go. Staff can look up trains. Slower but reliable. Bring your destination written in Chinese.
• Don't buy from random third-party sites with big markups. Trip.com or 12306 are the legitimate options.

The real-name rule

• Every ticket is tied to an ID document. For foreigners, that's your passport.
• The name on the ticket must exactly match your passport. Full name, correct spelling, right passport number.
• You need the physical passport at the station. A photo or copy won't work at the gates.
• If you're booking for multiple people, each person needs their own passport info entered separately.

Booking step by step (Trip.com)

• Download Trip.com, create an account, and add your passport as a traveler profile.
• Search your route (e.g., Shanghai → Beijing). Pick a train and seat class (Second Class is fine for most trips).
• Pay with your international card. Trip.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.
• You'll get a booking confirmation with an order number. Screenshot it. You don't get a physical ticket — your passport IS your ticket.
• At the station, go through security with your passport, then scan it at the gate (or use the staffed counter if the machine won't read it).

Common problems

• 12306 passport verification fails: Try again later, or just use Trip.com instead. Some passport formats don't work well with 12306.
• Gate won't scan your passport: Go to the staffed counter (人工通道). Show your passport and order number. They deal with this daily.
• Name mismatch: If your booking has a typo or your name is in the wrong order, the gate will reject you. Double-check before paying.
• Sold out: Popular routes (Shanghai↔Beijing, holiday periods) sell out days in advance. Book early.
• Wrong station: Many cities have 3-4 train stations. Check which one your train departs from. 北京南站 ≠ 北京站 ≠ 北京西站.

At the station

• Arrive 30-45 minutes early. Security + finding your gate takes time.
• Security: bags through X-ray, you walk through a metal detector. Have your passport ready.
• Find your waiting hall: check the departure screens for your train number and gate (检票口).
• Boarding starts about 15 minutes before departure. Gates close 3-5 minutes before. Don't cut it close.
• If anything goes wrong: find the service counter (服务中心) with your passport and order number.

Next step

Read the full Train Booking Guide for more detail on stations, luggage, and backup plans. Or build your checklist to make sure trains, payment, hotel, and internet are all sorted.