How to Buy Train Tickets in China as a Foreigner

Where to buy tickets

• China Railway 12306 is the official booking service. Read its current document and verification instructions for your account.
• If using an intermediary such as Trip.com, compare service fees, cancellation terms and support before paying. A reservation request is not necessarily an issued ticket.
• For a station counter, bring the original travel document and the route written down. Availability depends on remaining tickets and service hours.

The real-name rule

• For a passport booking, check the name and document number against the original passport, following the booking service’s formatting instructions.
• Bring the original identity document used for your ticket. A photo does not replace it for the normal verification process.
• If your passport is lost or replaced, or you use another accepted document, ask 12306 or station staff about the required steps before travel.
• For a group booking, check each traveler’s document and ticket separately.

Before completing a booking

• Check the date, exact departure and arrival stations, train number and seat class.
• Follow the booking service’s document-name formatting instructions and verify the document number.
• Use an offered payment method and check the final ticket status, not just the payment receipt.
• Save the order details and any verification instructions. Bring the same original document used for the ticket.
• Ask station staff for help if the document reader cannot process your passport.

Common problems

• Identity verification is unresolved: follow 12306 or the booking service’s instructions and allow time for a staffed check if required.
• 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 or document detail is wrong: contact the booking service before travel rather than assuming station staff can change it at boarding.
• 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

• Allow time for document checks, security and finding the platform. Check your station’s guidance and leave extra time for an unfamiliar station or an unresolved booking issue.
• 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).
• Check the boarding deadline on your booking and station displays. Boarding closes before departure; the exact time depends on the service and station.
• 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.