Understand the journey
What this looks like on a real trip
A train ticket is useful only when the passport, station and departure time all match. Several Chinese cities have multiple stations with similar English names.
China Railway's 12306 is the official booking channel. Real-name verification may require extra time for a foreign passport, so test the account before a busy travel day. On the day, follow the full station name and the current boarding information rather than a city name alone.
At a glance · editorial diagram
From booking to platform
Treat identity and location as part of the same ticket.
- 01
Book
Use the passenger's passport details exactly as shown on the document.
- 02
Locate
Save the full station name in Chinese and confirm how long the transfer takes.
- 03
Board
Bring the original booking passport; follow station security and the displayed gate.
The short answer
How do I book and board a train in China?
Use China Railway's official 12306 English site or app, or a reputable booking platform. Enter your passport details exactly, complete identity verification when requested and carry the original passport used for the booking. Check the full station name: large cities often have several railway stations. Leave time for security and boarding checks.
Open China Railway 12306Before you go
- Create and verify your 12306 account before a busy travel day, or know where the station ticket office is.
- Match every passenger's passport name and number to the booking.
- Save the full departure and arrival station names in Chinese as well as English.
- Check baggage rules, ticket change/refund conditions and your transfer time before paying.
Choose the relevant path
Which situation fits your trip?
Intercity train
- If
- You need to travel between cities by high-speed or conventional rail.
- Do this
- Use official 12306 or a reputable seller; enter the passport exactly, verify the traveler identity and check the full departure station.
- Watch for
- A booking confirmation is not the passport needed at station entry and boarding.
City metro or bus
- If
- You are making local trips after arrival.
- Do this
- Check the city's ticket and payment methods. Use a single-journey ticket, transit card or supported in-app QR code; some cities support contactless overseas cards.
- Watch for
- Transport QR codes are city-specific and may need activation before the first gate.
Airport taxi or ride-hailing
- If
- You have luggage, a late arrival or a route with awkward public transport.
- Do this
- Use an official taxi queue or app-marked pickup. Show the exact destination in Chinese and verify the car plate before entering.
- Watch for
- Avoid drivers soliciting rides in the arrivals hall without a booked car or official taxi rank.
Follow the steps
Practical playbooks
01
Book a train with a foreign passport
Start this before your intended travel date, especially near a holiday.
- 1.Open 12306's English website/app and create an account. Add each traveler with the exact passport name, nationality, document type and number.
- 2.Complete the prompted identity verification. The government guide says this may be automatic, require a passport photo for manual review, or be handled at a station ticket office with the original passport.
- 3.Search the complete station names—not just city names—then compare departure time, trip duration, seat class and the station-to-hotel transfer.
- 4.Read the seller's change/refund rules before paying. Save the order number and train number; carry the same original passport used for the ticket.
02
Get from street to train seat
Use this on departure day.
- 1.Check the full station name in Chinese and allow for the journey to that specific building; cities can have several far-apart stations.
- 2.At the station entrance, follow signs for security and identity checks. Present the original passport used for the ticket; ask for a staffed lane if an automatic gate does not accept it.
- 3.Check the departure board for your train number and gate. Boarding gates close before the train leaves, so do not plan around the departure minute alone.
- 4.Keep the passport handy on the train and at the arrival station. The itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt is not a substitute for the identity document.
03
Recover from a wrong station or failed verification
Time matters: act before the departure if you can.
- 1.If the app cannot verify your passport, take the original passport and booking details to a staffed station ticket office; ask for identity verification or help with the ticket.
- 2.If you are at the wrong station, check the travel time to the correct one. Do not assume a train with the same city name departs nearby.
- 3.If you will miss the service, ask 12306 or the original seller about the current change/refund options before buying a second ticket. Conditions and fees depend on timing and ticket state.
- 4.For a rail disruption caused by the operator, follow station staff instructions and keep the ticket and delay record for any insurance claim.
More practical detail
Train types and seat classes
Match the train type and class to the distance, your budget and whether you need to sleep.
- G and D trains
- High-speed services. G is usually fastest; D is often cheaper and slightly slower. Most offer second and first class, with business class on some services.
- C trains
- Short intercity high-speed services, common between cities in the same region. Check the station pair before assuming a city-centre departure.
- Z, T and K trains
- Conventional services, including overnight trains. Check the duration and sleeper type carefully before booking.
- Seat and sleeper classes
- Second class is the standard choice, first is quieter and business is the most expensive. Overnight trains offer hard or soft sleepers.
Show this when words are difficult
Save the relevant line with your address or booking. Show the Chinese text to staff rather than relying on pronunciation.
At the station
我用护照买的票，请问人工检票口在哪里？
I bought the ticket with my passport. Where is the staffed check-in gate?
Taxi destination
请带我去这个地址，请打表。
Please take me to this address and use the meter.
If things go wrong
- If your rail identity check fails, ask a staffed 12306 station ticket office to review the passport and booking; leave enough time before departure.
- If you miss a train, ask 12306 or the original seller about change or refund eligibility before purchasing a replacement.
- If a ride-hailing pickup is confusing, move to the app's marked meeting point or use an official taxi rank.
Common questions
Do I need a paper train ticket?
China Railway uses electronic ticketing for most services. Bring the original identity document used to book and follow the station's checks.
Can I pay for a train with a foreign card?
The official visitor guide describes foreign-card payment options on 12306 and at ticket offices, subject to the channel and card issuer.
Is Beijing Station the same as Beijing South?
No. They are different stations; always follow the full name on your ticket.
How early should I arrive at a train station?
Allow 45–60 minutes at a large station for security, identity checks and finding the gate, and more on public holidays. Boarding gates close before departure, so do not plan around the departure minute alone.
Sources & review
Reviewed on 18 October 2026. Rules, services and local operating details can change. Check the linked authority or venue again close to travel.
- China Railway: 12306 English site
Official rail booking and trip details.
- China Railway: passenger FAQ
Identity, tickets, changes and refunds.
- State Council: guide to working and living in China
Rail, metro, flights and ride-hailing for foreign travelers.
- Beijing government: transportation for new arrivals
Chinese addresses and airport transfer options.