Learnhow to buy train tickets in China using the official 12306 system,international platforms like Trip.com, station counters andself‑service kiosks.

了解如何使用中国官方的12306系统、国际平台（如Trip.com）、车站售票窗口和自助售票机购买火车票。

Thisguide walks you through registration, booking, ticket collection,refunds, peak‑period tips and quick checklists so you cantravel confidently on China’s high‑speed rail network.

本指南将带你了解注册、预订、取票、退票、高峰期提示以及快速清单，以便你能够自信地在中国高速铁路网络上旅行。

BestWays to Buy Train Tickets in China

在中国购买火车票的最佳方式

12306official website and app

12306官方网站和应用程序

•Whatit is: China Railway’s official booking platform with thewidest inventory and lowest service fees.

•简介：中国铁路的官方预订平台，拥有最广泛的车票库存和最低的服务费用。

•Whyuse it: Cheapest fares, full access to all trains and seat classes,easiest for refunds/changes.

•使用原因：票价最低，可全面访问所有列车和座位等级，退票/改签最方便。

•Howto prepare: Register an account, add passport information, link apayment method accepted by 12306 (Alipay, WeChat Pay, Chinese bankcard or international card where supported).

•准备工作：注册账户，添加护照信息，绑定12306接受的支付方式（支付宝、微信支付、中国银行卡或支持的国际卡）。

•Whento avoid: If you don’t have a Chinese phone number or localpayment method, the signup and verification may be harder.

•避免使用的情况：如果没有中国手机号码或本地支付方式，注册和验证可能会更困难。

Internationalplatforms and apps

国际平台和应用程序

•Examples:Trip.com, Ctrip, and other travel agents that support English andinternational payments.

•示例：Trip.com、Ctrip以及其他支持英语和国际支付的旅行社。

•Whyuse them: Simple sign up with email, pay with international cards,English interface and customer service.

•使用原因：通过电子邮件简单注册，使用国际卡支付，提供英语界面和客户服务。

•Trade‑offs:Service fees are typically higher than 12306, but convenience oftenoutweighs the cost for foreign travellers.

•权衡：服务费用通常高于12306，但对于外国旅行者来说，便利性通常超过了成本。

Stationticket counters and self‑service kiosks

车站售票窗口和自助售票机

•Whento use: Short notice travel, inability to book online, or to pick uppre‑booked tickets.

•使用时机：临时出行、无法在线预订或领取已预订的车票。

•Whatyou need: Passport for purchases and collection. Some self‑servicekiosks accept passports and produce tickets; others require a ChineseID card for kiosk use. Allow extra time during peak periods.

•所需材料：购买和领取车票需使用护照。部分自助售票机接受护照并打印车票，而另一些则需要使用中国身份证才能操作。在高峰期需预留额外时间。

Travelagencies and hotels

旅行社和酒店

•Whenuseful: If you prefer in‑person help, have complex itineraries,or are booking multi‑person group travel.

•适用情况：如果你喜欢面对面的帮助，有复杂的行程安排，或者正在预订多人团体旅行。

•Whatto expect: Higher fees but full service for bookings and ticketcollection.

•预期服务：费用较高，但提供预订和取票的全方位服务。

Stepby Step Buying a Ticket Online

在线购票步骤

1.Decidewhere to book: 12306 for lowest fees, Trip.com for convenience.

1.选择预订平台：如果想节省费用，选择12306；如果追求便捷，选择Trip.com。

2.Searchroutes and times: Enter departure city, arrival city, and date.Filter by G/D/C trains for high‑speed options.

2.查询路线和时间：输入出发城市、到达城市和日期。筛选G/D/C字头的高速列车。

3.Selectclass: Second class, first class, business class, or soft sleeper forovernight trains.

3.选择座位等级：二等座、一等座、商务座或软卧（适用于过夜列车）。

4.Addpassenger information: Use the traveller’s full name as inpassport and passport number. Save details to your account for futurebookings.

4.添加乘客信息：使用旅行者的全名（与护照一致）和护照号码。将详细信息保存到您的账户中，以便以后预订。

5.Choosedelivery or collection method: E‑ticket (QR) or paper ticketpickup. Note whether e‑ticket QR is accepted at your departurestation.

5.选择取票或送票方式：电子票（二维码）或纸质票领取。注意出发站是否接受电子票二维码。

6.Pay:Complete payment with the method supported by your booking channel.

6.支付：使用预订渠道支持的支付方式完成支付。

7.Receiveconfirmation: Booking email, order number and e‑ticket QR code(if provided). Save screenshots of QR and booking number.

7.接收确认信息：预订确认邮件、订单号和电子票二维码（如果提供）。保存二维码和订单号的截图。

Quicktip: For sample booking Beijing to Shanghai, pick an early morning Gtrain, choose second class for best value, and complete paymentimmediately once seats appear — peak days sell out fast.

小贴士：以北京到上海的样例预订为例，选择清晨的G字头列车，选择二等座以获得最佳性价比，并在座位一出现就立即完成支付——高峰期的票很快就会售罄。

Howto Collect Tickets at the Station

如何在车站取票

•E‑ticketQR: Many stations now accept scanning the QR code with your passportat the automatic gate. Have your passport and QR ready.

•电子票二维码：许多车站现在接受使用护照在自动闸机处扫描二维码。请准备好护照和二维码。

•Ticketcounter collection: Bring the passport used for booking and the ordernumber. Counters open well before departure but queue times increaseduring holidays.

•售票窗口取票：携带预订时使用的护照和订单号。售票窗口会在出发前很久开放，但在节假日期间排队时间会增加。

•Self‑servicemachines: Use machines that accept passports or order numbers; selectlanguage if available and follow prompts to print tickets. Machinesvary by station.

•自助售票机：使用接受护照或订单号的自助售票机；如果有语言选项，请选择语言并按照提示打印车票。不同车站的机器有所不同。

•Boarding:Security checks require passport and ticket/QR. Gates open ~30minutes before departure for high‑speed trains; arrive at least45–60 minutes early during peak periods.

•登车：安检需要护照和车票/二维码。高速列车的闸机通常在出发前约30分钟开放；在高峰期，请至少提前45-60分钟到达。

Classes,Luggage Rules and Onboard Tips

座位等级、行李规则和乘车提示

•Classes:Business class > First class > Second class on high‑speedtrains. Soft sleeper and hard sleeper apply to conventional overnightservices.

•座位等级：高速列车的商务座> 一等座> 二等座。软卧和硬卧适用于传统的过夜列车。

•Luggage:Free allowance is generous — typically two large suitcases pluscarry‑ons for most trains; heavier or oversized bags may besubject to checks. Keep valuables with you.

•行李：免费行李额度很宽松——大多数列车允许携带两个大行李箱加上手提行李；超重或超大行李可能会受到检查。请随身携带贵重物品。

•Onboard:Seats recline, power sockets available on most high‑speedservices, food trolley and dining cars on long routes. Respect quietcarriage rules where posted.

•乘车：座位可调节，大多数高速列车提供电源插座，长途线路有餐车和食品推车。请遵守张贴的安静车厢规则。

Changing,Refunding and Cancelling Tickets

改签、退票和取消车票

•Changewindows: You can generally change bookings before the train departs;fees depend on timing and original ticket type.

•改签窗口：通常可以在列车出发前改签；费用取决于时间和原始车票类型。

•Refunds:Refund policies vary by platform and time before departure; expecthigher refunds the earlier you cancel. 12306 usually has clear feetables.

•退票：退票政策因平台和出发前的时间而异；越早取消，退款金额越高。12306通常有明确的费用表。

•Process:Use the platform where you bought the ticket for the smoothestprocess. If you bought through Trip.com, request the refund there; ifon 12306, use the 12306 app or counter.

流程：使用购票平台进行操作最为顺畅。如果通过Trip.com购买，请在那里申请退款；如果是通过12306购买，请使用12306应用程序或售票窗口。

PeakPeriods and How to Secure a Seat

高峰期及如何确保座位

•Majorpeaks: Chinese New Year, National Day Golden Week, summer holidayweekends.

•主要高峰期：春节、国庆黄金周、暑假周末。

•Bookingwindow: Most trains open 30 days in advance; mark calendars and bookimmediately when your window opens.

•预订窗口：大多数列车提前30天开放预订；请在预订窗口开启时立即预订。

•Advancedtechniques: Use multiple booking channels, set alerts on Trip.com, orask a friend in China to help on 12306 with local verification.Consider trains outside prime hours for better availability.

•高级技巧：使用多个预订渠道，在Trip.com设置提醒，或者请中国的朋友帮忙在12306进行本地验证。考虑在非高峰时段的列车，以获得更好的座位可用性。

FrequentlyAsked Questions

常见问题

Do Ineed a Chinese ID to buy or pick up tickets我是否需要中国身份证才能购买或领取车票？

Foreigntravelers must use passport or Permanent Residence ID card to buytickets. Station kiosks sometimes only accept Chinese ID, so prepareto use the ticket counter if a kiosk rejects your passport.

外国旅行者必须使用护照或永久居留身份证购买车票。车站自助售票机有时只接受中国身份证，因此如果自助售票机拒绝您的护照，请准备使用售票窗口。

Howfar in advance can I buy train tickets in China我可以在中国提前多久购买火车票？

Mostservices open bookings about 30 days before departure; seasonal orspecial routes may differ. For major holidays, book as early aspossible.

大多数服务在出发前约30天开放预订；季节性或特殊线路可能会有所不同。对于重大节假日，请尽早预订。

CanI use a QR code instead of a paper ticket我可以使用二维码代替纸质车票吗？

Manystations accept e‑ticket QR codes scanned with your passport atgates. Some stations or routes may still require a printed ticket forforeign travelers, so check collection notes after booking. However,printed tickets will be a thing of the past starting Oct 1, 2025

许多车站接受在闸机处使用护照扫描电子票二维码。一些车站或线路可能仍要求外国旅行者使用纸质车票，因此在预订后请查看取票说明。然而，从2025年10月1日起，纸质车票将成为过去。

Whatif my payment fails on 12306如果我在12306上支付失败怎么办？

Tryan international platform like Trip.com, or use a local friend’spayment method for 12306. Some users register with a Chinese phonenumber to complete verification.

尝试使用Trip.com等国际平台，或者请中国朋友帮忙使用12306的支付方式。有些用户通过注册中国手机号码来完成验证。

IsTrip.com reliable for train tickets- Trip.com购买火车票可靠吗？

Yes.Trip.com is widely used by foreigners for its English interface andinternational payments, though it charges service fees forconvenience.

是的。Trip.com因其英文界面和国际支付方式被许多外国人广泛使用，尽管它会收取服务费以提供便利。