China High-Speed Rail Guide for Foreigners

China Railway's official 12306 website and app support foreign travelers using valid passports. The system uses real-name ticketing, so the passenger details on the booking must match the original travel document used at the station.

Use the official booking channel

The English 12306 website is the official China Railway Customer Service Center site. It supports ticket purchase, changes, and refunds. Third-party platforms can be convenient, but their fees, inventory display, support, and change handling are separate from China Railway's own service.

Create the account early. Enter the name, nationality, document type, and passport number exactly as instructed. Identity verification may be automatic, may require an uploaded passport information page, or may require verification at a station ticket office.

Booking checklist

1. Confirm the correct departure and arrival stations. Large cities often have several stations far apart.
2. Check the date, train number, departure time, and seat class.
3. Add each passenger using the document they will carry.
4. Pay using a method currently shown as supported by 12306.
5. Save the booking and train details offline.
6. Recheck the station and departure status before leaving for the terminal.

The official State Council guide says foreign travelers can purchase through the 12306 English site or app after identity verification and may use supported Chinese or foreign bank cards and mobile payment. Payment availability can change, so follow the current checkout screen.

At the station

Arrive with enough time for security, finding the correct waiting area, and resolving any passport-gate issue. Station size varies enormously. During major holidays, lines and road traffic can be heavier.

Use the original passport or other accepted document used for booking. Some travelers may pass through an automatic gate, while others may be directed to a staffed manual channel. This is an operational difference, not evidence that the ticket is invalid.

The electronic booking is the travel entitlement. An itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt is not itself a boarding ticket. Follow the station display for the gate and platform, and listen for changes.

Names and passport details

Romanized names can create errors when a platform has separate surname and given-name fields or character limits. Follow 12306's current form instructions rather than inventing abbreviations. If the passport is replaced after booking, contact 12306 or station staff before travel; do not assume the old document number will continue to work.

Changes and refunds

Rules depend on timing, availability, payment method, and the requested change. Handle changes and refunds in the same official account where possible, and read the fee shown before confirming. A changed train still requires available inventory.

If a reimbursement receipt has been printed or cash was used, an online request may still require an in-person document step. Check the current 12306 instructions for the specific ticket.

Transfers and multiple stations

“Beijing,” “Shanghai,” “Guangzhou,” “Shenzhen,” and “Chengdu” can each refer to more than one station. Check the full English and Chinese station names. A same-city connection can still require a long metro or taxi journey and a new security check.

For a through-station transfer, follow signs and staff directions; the allowed path varies by station. Do not leave a short connection based only on train arrival and departure times.

Luggage and accessibility

Check current passenger rules for baggage dimensions, prohibited items, and special equipment. Large stations may provide assistance counters and some accessibility services, but facilities vary. Contact 12306 or the station in advance if assistance is essential.

Avoid these mistakes

• Booking the wrong station with a similar city name.
• Using a nickname instead of the passport name.
• Assuming a screenshot replaces the original passport.
• Treating old refund rules or sales hours as permanent.
• Arriving at the station as if it were a small metro stop.

Official sources

• China Railway official English website: https://www.12306.cn/en/
• China Railway official FAQ: https://www.12306.cn/en/faq.html
• State Council guide to rail ticketing and identity verification: https://english.www.gov.cn/2025special/bizexpatsinchina2025

Last reviewed: 17 July 2026.