‎铁路12306 App

For tickets booked elsewhere, use the “快捷退票”(Quick Refund) feature on the website or app, verify your identity, and enter the booking ID to locate the ticket. For tickets booked via 12306, log in and select the order under “Upcoming Trips” to initiate a refund. If online booking isn’t an option, you can purchase tickets at station ticket offices, though queues may be long. Tap “订单详情”(Order Details) to view the ticket information, including departure/destination stations, departure/arrival times, and assigned seat numbers. The name "12306" is derived from the telephone number for railway customer service in China. But please notice in some stations especially small stations, you still need to collect your paper ticket because they may have no passport-reading machine. You can check your booking status on the website, or receive comfirmation message from your email or phone. After choosing your seat and filling your personal info, you should confirm your info and make the payment within minutes. However, if you’re booking for others, you must add their details first. Children under 14 are eligible for a 50% discount on tickets. The online ticketing platform is available in different language versions. High-speed rail services are designated with a “G” prefix, bullet trains with a “D” prefix, and intercity trains with a “C” prefix. After the train has departed, you may no longer be eligible for a refund. After successful payment, a confirmation page will appear. Enter the code and tap “SUBMIT.” After verification, you’ll be redirected to a payment confirmation page (similar to the previous step). For international cards, select “国际卡”(International Card), tap “提交支付”(Submit Payment), then enter the card number, expiry date, and CVV. (2) Select your preferred train and seat class (HSR typically offers Business, First, and Second Class). The app also provides station layout maps and indoor navigation. In the app, go to “全部应用”(All Services), select “列车状态”(Train Status) under “出行导向”(Travel Guide), and enter the required information to view details. You can also view train layout maps, showing seat arrangements and the locations of key facilities like luggage racks, restrooms, nursing rooms, water dispensers, and charging ports. It offers the same range of mainland hotels and homestays as Ctrip, making its selection much broader than foreign platforms like Agoda or Hotels.com. 【Tip】For tickets linked to your member account, you can view them in the mobile app. Both types of machines can handle changes, refunds, registering free travel for children, and updating contact information. Train stations typically have both self-service ticket vending machines and self-service ticket collection machines.

Guide: What to Expect on China's High-Speed Trains

3% OFF 12306 Guide for Foreigners - Book China Trains Online

Trip.com is the overseas platform of Ctrip, China’s leading travel service. To check train status, you’ll need the departure station, destination station, travel date, and train number. The app allows you to check train status, including stops, arrival and departure times, and layover durations. Note that tickets collected after the trip cannot be used for travel—they are only for reimbursement or as keepsakes. As mentioned earlier in the “Refunds and Changes” section, refunds or changes for tickets that have already been collected are more complicated. If you are your account owner, you don't have to add your own passenger information as it will be generated automatically based on your registration data. Maximum of 30 characters allowed for passenger's name(Length of name includes spaces). More trains will be arranged during the major Chinese festivals. We are also good at create tailor-made China train journeys.

Wish you a nice, smooth and enjoyable train journey in China!!!
Train stations typically have both self-service ticket vending machines and self-service ticket collection machines.
If you want to change your route for in-depth searching, just do as above procedures.
Ticket endorsement or a change of destination can only be done for once.
You can filter by train types, duration, railway stations and so on.
Ticket refund cannot be done in batches on the website.

For any matters not mentioned herein, please refer to the relevant provisions and station announcements such as the Rules and Regulations of Railway Passenger Transport. The order will be cancelled automatically for any overdue payment. The seat is already reserved for you.

Key High-Speed Train Routes in China for Travelers

In addition to online verification, passengers can still go to the railway station window to verify. Change of destination is not yet available for passenger traveling with an endorsed ticket or a group ticket. Passengers are entitled to endorse or change the destinations of their tickets once. You don't have any bookings or we can't access your bookings at this time. You cannot purchase other tickets before completing your payment or cancelling this order.

How to Register on 12306 App

You can make travel plans through the ticket reservation function. Please complete your payment in time. Choose train, time, and class Small service fee per ticket For foreign travelers, this usually means your passport. Offers a digital ticket to go through the turnstile Here is the list for popular China high-speed train routes. In case of any refund incurred by ticket cancellation, endorsement or change of destination, such refund shall be returned to the original online payment method within the prescribed time in accordance with the relevant rules of such payment method. Trip.com is one of the best venues for foreigners to book China train tickets. After your account is approved, you can log in and book rail tickets straight through the platform. In addition to purchasing tickets and handling refunds or changes, the Railway mobile app offers many other useful features. Currently China Railway electronic ticketing system supports foreign passports in most train stations, which means you can directly use your passports to enter train station to board your train, no needing to collect your paper ticket. After the payment, wait for the system to process your booking. Select your favored time with available seats and then click the button “book” and move to next step. We're taking your seat. Use passport to collect or board (depends on station rules) Email confirmation and ticket pickup instructions Search results show real-time availability and prices It supports a variety of languages, accepts worldwide payment methods, and does not require local verification.

What is China High-Speed Train Rail? with Map

To view booked tickets, go to the “订单”(Orders) section in the app, tap “已支付”(Paid), and select the order. On the app’s homepage, select the departure station, destination station, and travel date, then tap “查询车票”(Search). If you’re concerned about securing tickets during peak times, consider booking through Trip.com or Klook, which offer ticket reservation services. Based on my experience, Trip.com also offers the best prices for mainland hotels and flights—often cheaper than both international and local platforms. The process for passing through the ticket validation gate is the same as for the security checkpoint—use your ID and facial recognition. If the automated gate cannot read your ID or you are traveling with children, you can use the manual channel nearby. Click “二维码检票”(QR Code for Ticket Check) to generate a QR code, which can be scanned at the station gates—no ID is required. Go to the “订单”(Orders) tab, click “本人车票”(My Tickets), and the e-ticket will be displayed. The platform allows users to purchase tickets not only for HSR but also for other types of China Railway trains. When purchasing train tickets for China on Trip.com, you typically need to provide a valid form of identification. The refund fee usually depends on how far in advance of the train's departure you cancel your ticket. Book your China train tickets as a new user on Trip.com and enjoy a special 3% Off 🎁! This guide details registration, booking, refunds, and platform comparisons to help you choose the easiest option.

Travel

Check updated train schedules and route to get inspired for you China train tour! It takes about 4.5-6 hours from Beijing to Shanghai or Xian by high speed train, and Shanghai Xian express needs about 6-7 hours. If it’s your first time to visit China, Beijing, Shanghai and Xian are the top recommended destinations to enjoy the newest Gaotie and most representative attractions in China. Use your passport to board or collect ticket It is intended for convenience, particularly for short-term tourists or first-time visitors to China. China's high-speed rail network connects several major cities, making travel quick and easy. If the change is requested less than 48 hours before departure, you can only switch to a train departing on the original travel date. If you need to change the travel date, the change must be made at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time, and the new travel date must fall within 15 days of the original date. Refunds can be processed online via the website or app, or offline at station ticket offices or self-service machines. Alternatively, you can visit the station ticket office or use a self-service ticket machine. If the ticket was purchased online through the China Railway website or mobile app and has not been collected, changes can be made online via the website or app. The method for changing tickets depends on the original payment method and whether the ticket has been collected. For trains departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, changes must be made at least 45 minutes before departure. If the new price is lower, the difference will be refunded according to the refund policy after deducting any applicable service fees.

The process for passing through the ticket validation gate is the same as for the security checkpoint—use your ID and facial recognition.
China Discovery will update the latest news about China train travel for you.
If you find it difficult to use the official platform, you can purchase tickets through the online ticketing platform.
The image below shows a self-service ticket vending machine on the left and a self-service ticket collection machine on the right.
It supports a variety of languages, accepts worldwide payment methods, and does not require local verification.
Ticket changes include modifying the travel time (including travel date and train number), seat type, ticket class (e.g., changing from second class to first class), or destination station.
Ticket refund can only be proceeded one by one on the website.
After selecting passengers, set their seat preferences and tap “提交订单”(Submit Order).

Trip.com is a global travel website that provides an easy method to book China High-speed Train Tickets in English and other languages. Bullet trains are popular among Chinese tourists because to their high speeds of up to 350 km/h, modern amenities, and dependable service. It connects the majority of major cities and smaller centers, cutting travel time across the huge country. 【Tip】For booking hotels and flights in mainland China, I usually use Trip.com. (3) Select the ticket class and seating preference, then click “提交订单”(Submit Order). From the search results, select the train you wish to take. Below is the official explanation of the ticket change process. Alternatively, use self-service ticket machines, but you must first register a contact phone number in the system. (3) Select the accompanying adult, tap “添加免费乘车儿童”(Add Free Child Passenger), choose the child from your passenger list, and tap “确认”(Confirm) to complete the registration. If a seat is needed, a half-price child ticket can be purchased. Each adult with a full-price ticket can bring one child under 6 for free, but the child won’t have a seat. For reimbursement purposes, you can also collect the ticket after your journey, as tickets can be collected within 180 days of the travel date. When traveling by train in mainland China, you can use the ID document used for purchasing the ticket to pass through the gates—no physical ticket is required. (1) Go to the “订单”(Orders) tab, select the “已支付”(Paid Orders) section, and click on the ticket order you wish to change under “未出行订单”(Upcoming Trips). Here you can not only find access to “train booking”, but also can manage your order, such as canceling order, changing trains, etc., and manager your passengers (which means you can book train tickets for others). When booking train tickets on , it can generally accept several kinds of documents for different passengers no matter in mainland China, in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, or from other countries. Beyond train-related services, the Railway website and app also offer flight tickets, bus tickets, air-rail combined tickets, taxi bookings, and hotel reservations. Ticket changes include modifying the travel time (including travel date and train number), seat type, ticket class (e.g., changing from second class to first class), or destination station. For non-cash payments where the ticket wasn’t collected, the refund (minus any fees) is automatically returned to the original payment method (e.g., credit card). The refund method depends on the original payment method and whether the ticket was collected. Refunds can be requested anytime before the train’s departure time but not afterward. Results are sorted by departure time by default, but you can reorder them by travel duration.

Please note one account are limited to buy 9 tickets in one time.
Pre-sale period about train tickets refers to the days prior to the train departure.
Keep booking confirmation for station access
(3) Select the ticket class and seating preference, then click “提交订单”(Submit Order).
For requests made within 8 days but more than 48 hours before departure, a 5% fee applies.
(3) Seats are randomly assigned by the system, but you can specify preferences like window or aisle seats.
The app allows you to check train status, including stops, arrival and departure times, and layover durations.
(2) Tap “退票”(Refund), select the passenger(s), and tap “立即退票”(Refund Now).

To book tickets for your relatives or friends, you need to add them to your Passengers list. Change of destination is not available for endorsed tickets and group tickets. Endorsed ticket or ticket subject to a change of destination can no longer be endorsed. To purchase train tickets on China Railway 12306, you must first register for an account. However, discounted tickets can only be purchased through the app, website, or station ticket offices—third-party agents only sell full-price tickets. However, Trip.com and Klook often offer discount codes for HSR tickets, which may sometimes make their prices cheaper than the official platform. Select the ticket(s) you wish to print and click “确定”(Confirm) to proceed. This applies whether you use a mainland ID card, residence permit, Home Return Permit, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or foreign passport. Review the change details and click “确认改签”(Confirm Change),” followed by “确定”(Confirm) to complete the process. (2) After clicking “确定”(Confirm), set the new travel date and click “查询车票”(Search for Tickets). If the new ticket price is higher, you will need to pay the difference.

To check, go back to the “乘车人”(Passengers) section and tap the passenger’s name.
(1) Go to the “订单”(Orders) tab, select the “已支付”(Paid Orders) section, and click on the ticket order you wish to change under “未出行订单”(Upcoming Trips).
Check updated train schedules and route to get inspired for you China train tour!
After registering and verifying your account, your own details are automatically added as a passenger.
We are also good at create tailor-made China train journeys.
Registering an account and adding passenger information are preparatory steps.
For changes to the destination station, the request must also be made at least 48 hours before departure.
Book your China train tickets as a new user on Trip.com and enjoy a special 3% Off 🎁!
If assigned an undesired seat, you can cancel and resubmit the order for a new assignment.
The refund confirmation will show the original price, fees, and net refund amount.

Saved searches

China’s train ticketing system requires real-name registration, so you must add passenger details before booking tickets. Earn points for booking train tickets, which can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings. 12306 is the official website and mobile application of China Railway Corporation, providing online ticket booking services for trains across China. Or, you can tell your favorite train routes, schedules and seat type, China Discovery can handle all the trouble and help you book the China train tickets! If you have more questions about booking train tickets on China Railway official website (), you can feel free to ask our professional ticket booking team. At present, is the ONLY China Railway official website for China train tickets booking. China Discovery is here giving you a handy guide to book train tickets on as well as use other service provided by the official website. In November 2020, China Railway officially launched an English version of its ticketing website, 12306, allowing foreign passengers who don't understand Chinese to register and purchase train tickets themselves. No matter you want to book high speed train tickets ( G train, D train or C train), or purchase normal train tickets (like T, Z or K train), you can check latest train routes & schedules, seat classes and prices and as well as buy tickets on this website. "The ticket is only valid for the trip and date indicated unless otherwise specified. If passengers board or alight midway, the fare for the section missed will not be refunded." After completing the form, check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, then tap “下一步”(Next) to confirm the details. Children under 6 years old can ride for free when accompanied by an adult, but they will not have a seat. Besides HSR, there are also bullet trains (D-series), intercity trains (C-series), and other types of trains. China Railway operates various types of trains, with the fastest being high-speed rail (HSR). In addition to the website, there is also an official mobile app, which is more convenient to use than the web version. How to Register on 12306 App

To avoid this, refer to Part V (Other App Features) to check the seating layout of your train before booking. The results will show all available trains for the selected route, including departure/arrival times, duration, and train numbers (G for HSR, D for bullet trains, C for intercity trains). The actual ticket booking process begins with searching for tickets. It also provides services such as seat selection, ticket cancellation, and ticket change. The platform allows users to search for train schedules, book tickets, and pay for them online. Every schedule on the day will be shown on a page with detailed departure railway station and arrival railway station, departure time and arrival time, duration, classes of seats (availability or not). Currently, the train tickets pre-sale period is 15 DAYS, which means you can only book tickets for today and coming 14 days in advance. App Functionality

How to Buy China Speed Train Tickets on Trip.com Web

China Discovery offers you featured high speed train tours in different routes, length, themes and landscape.
Bullet trains are popular among Chinese tourists because to their high speeds of up to 350 km/h, modern amenities, and dependable service.
This applies whether you use a mainland ID card, residence permit, Home Return Permit, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or foreign passport.
Earn points for booking train tickets, which can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings.
If you need a ticket for reimbursement, you can apply for an electronic certificate through the app.
Or, you can tell your favorite train routes, schedules and seat type, China Discovery can handle all the trouble and help you book the China train tickets!

If you miss your original train due to being late, you can still change your ticket after the train has departed, but only to another train scheduled for the same day. For changes to the destination station, the request must also be made at least 48 hours before departure. (2) Tap “退票”(Refund), select the passenger(s), and tap “立即退票”(Refund Now). (1) Go to “订单”(Orders) → “已支付”(Paid Orders), and under “未出行订单”(Upcoming Trips), select the ticket to refund. Reclining seats with tray tables All high-speed trains Trains on China's high-speed rail network provide a quick and comfortable method of travel. It is the preferred service for both domestic and international visitors exploring China by rail. Different types of changes have different requirements regarding the timing of the change. Refunds to mainland bank cards, Alipay, or WeChat Pay are instant; credit card refunds may take longer depending on the issuer. The refund confirmation will show the original price, fees, and net refund amount. Choose the passenger who will take the train under the "Passenger Information" tab, then submit the order!!! You can begin to search the train route and schedules after input the departure city/arrival city/departure date. To add other passengers, find the "My Passengers" in the left sidebar to fill in the form. The ticket purchasing process is similar to the Chinese website, and the station names are provided in both Chinese and English, with reminders given when ticket availability is low. China Discovery will update the latest news about China train travel for you. 详细步骤教你如何打开RAR文件，轻松解压缩_-Zip_WinRAR_rar

In addition to booking tickets online via the website or app, you can also purchase tickets offline at station ticket offices, authorized ticket agencies, or travel agencies. An easy-to-use platform for booking train tickets, flight tickets, and hotels online After choosing the seat type and clicking "book", you will be turned to the booking info page which is listed with your favored train schedules, train number, departure station/arrival station, departure time, classes of seats with detailed prices. Refunds cancel a ticket order and provide a reimbursement, while changes allow modifications to the travel date, time, train, seat, class, or destination. You can place an order before tickets go on sale, and the platform will attempt to secure them for you. During peak seasons like the Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day holidays, tickets sell out quickly, so it’s essential to book as soon as sales open. Some stations may also have different sale times for different trains.

Advantages of booking China Speed Train on Trip.com

Can be very helpful if you encounter any issues for your booking or in travel It was launched in 2007 and is the largest railway ticketing platform in the world, handling millions of transactions daily. You can experience the top standard seat - Business Class Seats to enjoy the half day train travel. Use our exclusive coupon to save big on your first train journey!!! The developer indicated that this app supports the following accessibility features. The developer, 中国铁道科学研究院集团有限公司, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Begin crafting your personalized China journey by consulting with our travel specialists. Wish you a nice, smooth and enjoyable train journey in China!!! You can also check the classes of seat price and availability. If you want to change your route for in-depth searching, just do as above procedures. The verfication time could be as short as a few minutes, or as long as a week. Starting from November 28, 2023, the China Railway Department has launched an online identity verification service for foreign passports. Required information includes nationality, passport, name, date of birth, gender, email and passenger type. This share can be held in a Dealing accountStocks and shares ISALifetime ISAJISASIPPand can be used with Regular investment and Dividend reinvestment Tickets that have already been endorsed or finished the change of destination cannot be endorsed again. Ticket endorsement or a change of destination can only be done for once. Ticket refund cannot be done in batches on the website.

For trains departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, changes must be made at least 45 minutes before departure.
Additionally, note that each ticket can only be changed once.
You can check your booking status on the website, or receive comfirmation message from your email or phone.
All high-speed trains
We're taking your seat.
Use passport to collect or board (depends on station rules)

Once verified, you can select passengers directly from your saved list. (1) Open the app, go to “铁路会员”(Railway Member), tap “立即登录”(Log In) and then select “注册”(Register) on the login page. If you find it difficult to use the official platform, you can purchase tickets through the online ticketing platform. If you prefer using the web version on a computer, you can also book tickets on the China Railway website, where the process is largely similar, though the interface differs slightly. The railway department reminds that foreign passengers can only purchase tickets and take the train after their identity verification is passed. Previously, foreign passengers who purchased tickets on the website needed to present their original passport at the railway station window to verify their identity information. China Discovery suggests you buy your train tickets in advance to guarantee yourselves a booked ticket and a smooth trip along the way. We want you to have the best possible experience while using our service. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and rules may change. All companies are registered in England and Wales at 4 Exchange Quay, Salford Quays, Manchester M5 3EE.

Each adult with a full-price ticket can bring one child under 6 for free, but the child won’t have a seat.
12306 is China's official train ticketing platform.
On the app’s homepage, select the departure station, destination station, and travel date, then tap “查询车票”(Search).
It was launched in 2007 and is the largest railway ticketing platform in the world, handling millions of transactions daily.
To purchase train tickets on China Railway 12306, you must first register for an account.
Every schedule on the day will be shown on a page with detailed departure railway station and arrival railway station, departure time and arrival time, duration, classes of seats (availability or not).
Search results show real-time availability and prices

After picking a train, you can rapidly enter passenger information and finish the reservation using international payment methods. Keep booking confirmation for station access This mechanism ensures that all bookings adhere to China's real-name ticketing policy. 12306 is China's official train ticketing platform. If assigned an undesired seat, you can cancel and resubmit the order for a new assignment. This setup is ideal for families or groups but may be awkward if you’re seated with strangers for hours. 【Note】Most HSR seats are arranged in rows (left image below), but some cars have face-to-face seating with a table in the middle (right image). (3) Seats are randomly assigned by the system, but you can specify preferences like window or aisle seats. Registering an account and adding passenger information are preparatory steps.