Frequently Asked Questions on China Trains

Here is a list of most asked questions, please check here to see if your questions have already been answered. Traveling by railway in China is interesting, easy, affordable, fast and safe.

1. Where can I book a train ticket?

You can buy a train ticket at a train station, a designated ticket office agent or ticket agency online. Booking a train ticket online is recommended because it is convenient and efficient.

2. How difficult is it to book a train ticket at a train station or a train ticket office agent?

It can be difficult for a foreign traveler who does not speak Chinese to buy a train ticket at the station. You need the right station, the right train number, the right passport information and enough time before departure. A station queue may be long, and a small language misunderstanding can lead to the wrong station or seat class. Booking online in English is usually easier, especially for high-speed trains and multi-city trips. Search and book a China train ticket now.

3. When can I book my train ticket?

China train tickets can be booked once China Railway releases them for sale. The release date and time may change around holidays or timetable adjustments. We suggest sending your request as soon as your itinerary is fixed, so we have more time to check seats and find backup trains if your first choice sells out.

4. Why should I pay right away when submitting my order

The earlier you confirm payment, the sooner we can try to book the train you want. China train tickets can sell very quickly, especially on routes between major cities and during public holidays. If you wait too long, your first choice may disappear and we may need to look for backup trains, nearby stations or another seat class.

5. Will I definitely get the tickets that I selected and paid for?

Not always the exact train or seat you choose, because China train tickets sell very fast, especially between big cities and during holidays. Once we receive your payment, we try to book right away. If your chosen train is sold out, we will send the best available options or arrange a refund if you do not want an alternative. We may suggest another departure time, another station in the same city, a different seat class or a connection through a third city.

6. What does the train booking include?

The price includes the railway ticket cost, our service charge and any payment transfer fee if there is one. Most domestic China train bookings are issued as e-tickets linked to the passenger's passport or ID.

7. How do I use my China train e-ticket?

A. Bring the original passport or ID used for booking. The name and document number must match the booking exactly.

B. At many stations, foreign passport holders use the staffed gate to check in and out. Keep your train number, departure station and seat information ready.

C. An itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt may be available after booking, but it is not the ticket for boarding.

7A. Can foreign travelers book China train tickets with passports?

Yes. Foreign travelers can book real-name China train tickets with valid passports. The passport name and number must be entered exactly as shown on the passport, and the original passport should be carried at the station. In many stations, passport holders use the staffed gate instead of the automatic ID-card gate.

8 Can I pay for four soft sleepers for two passengers?

No, you can’t because one ID card or passport can only buy one ticket in the same train and on the same departure date due to the Real-Name Train Ticket Policy.

9. Can I use my credit card to purchase a train ticket?

Most train stations and ticket offices only accept cash, so you need to have enough cash in CNY to buy your ticket. Some of them accept credit cards if they are equipped with a POS machine. Credit card will be acceptable if you book through a hotel or a train ticket agency.

10. Is there any service fee when purchasing a train ticket?

There is no extra fee when buying a rail ticket directly from a train station. If you book a train ticket from a designated train ticket office, a service fee of CNY 5 per ticket is required.

11. Are announcements in English at the train station?

It depends. The English version of a broadcast is used in some big cities like Beijing, Xian and Shanghai but only Chinese is available in some small cities. We suggest that you ask for help to confirm your ticket details, like platform and carriage number, from one of the staff members at the station.

12. Any difference between high-speed trains and other trains?

Yes, the high-speed trains are new and more advanced: faster in speed, quieter in a cabin, cleaner, better service and much more stable. Usually a high speed train reaches the next destination on the same day. A Bullet train is almost the same as a high speed train. A bullet train travels at about 200km/h and a high speed train is about 300km/h. There are overnight bullet trains between Beijing and Shanghai. The journey takes between 9.30 hours and 11.30 hours.

All the seats in high speed trains and bullet trains are reclining, while those in ordinary trains are not.

13. Is there any food served on a train?

Yes, each train offers a dining carriage where travelers can have meals. You can buy your meal from a dining handcart passing by your cabin/seat. The food on train is quite expensive and exclusive. All the meals are Chinese style. You can take your own food on the train.

14. How about the luggage limitation on China trains?

High speed train (G trains), Bullet train (D trains) and Inter-city train (C trains): there is no extra cost to take baggage up to 20kg with the total width, length and height not greater than 130cm. The luggage rack is only about 45 – 50cm wide and 50 – 60cm high. However, there are shared closets in the two sides of the carriage for big luggage, the earlier you get in the cabin, the more chances you will have to put your luggage there. Be aware, especially if you have any fragile items, that someone may put their luggage on top of yours.

Ordinary trains (Z, T, K, Y, S, L trains): there is no extra cost for a passenger to take baggage up to 20kg with the total width, length and height not greater than160cm.

If your luggage weighs much more than 20kg, China-Train-Ticket suggests that you go to the train station earlier to have your large luggage checked and transferred by freight. You can pick up it when you arrive at your next city.

15. Can I deposit my luggage in a train station?

You can deposit your luggage in most of the train stations or in some personal stores. A service fee will be charged approximately CNY10-20 per piece (for hours or half day) depends on its size. Don’t leave any valuable items in your luggage.

16. Do all the trains/stations offer boiled water?

Yes, boiled water is available in all the stations and on trains. Take along a big covered cup for your journey.

17. What about the toilet on the train, seated or squat?

Squat toilets are used in ordinary trains, while seated toilets are offered on high speed/bullet/inter-city trains. Toilet paper is not provided on the trains, so take your own. Many people use the train toilets and they can get smelly.

18. What can I do if I miss my train?

Usually you can go to the ticket office (there are special offices for the train tickets change/refund) in the train station immediately to check if you can have your ticket changed or refunded. Generally speaking, a ticket can be cancelled or changed in a train station about 2 hours before departure time, however, you can still have your ticket changed or refunded at some train stations for about 2 hours after the train left. You can try to contact and talk to the stationmaster who can make a decision regarding changing or refunding your ticket.

19. What should I do if I lost my ticket before taking the train?

If you cannot find your order information or have trouble entering the station, go to the station ticket window or service desk with the original passport used for booking. Staff can usually find the e-ticket from your passenger details and train information. If you printed a reimbursement receipt and lost it, refund or change procedures may become more difficult.

20. How do I board the train once I arrive in China?

For most domestic China trains, there is no paper ticket to collect before boarding. Use the original passport used for booking, and keep your e-ticket confirmation with train number, station, carriage and seat information.

21. How early should I arrive at the train station?

We suggest that you arrive at the correct train station about 1.5 to 2 hours before departure in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xian, and earlier during major holidays. Foreign passport holders may need a staffed gate or manual assistance, so leave enough time for security check, station navigation and boarding.

22. Can I book my tickets in the same cabin, all bottom sleepers, or a window seat?

We will try our best to request the seats or sleepers you prefer, but China Railway assigns many seats automatically and popular trains may have limited choices. Earlier booking usually gives a better chance of sitting together, getting lower sleepers, or choosing a window seat, but it cannot be guaranteed. If you are traveling with family or friends, send all passenger details together so we can try to keep the group close.

23. What should I if I did not have my hotels booked in China before booking the train travel?

You can choose the option to leave additional travel details or backup choices for us to confirm later if your hotel, route or contact information is not final yet.

We can book the train first if all passenger and payment details are ready, and you can send unfinished travel details later if they are not needed for ticket issuing.

24. What’s the differences between Chinese and Western trains?

In China, you have to wait for hours in line to book a ticket, you need to pass a security check and then go to the correct waiting hall, walk about 3-5 minutes up steps to reach the train.   There are no luggage carts at the train stations.  The carriage number and seat number are fixed when booking a train ticket in China, luggage racks are different: narrow and small luggage racks are provided in a train in China.   There is no wifi in a train and only simple, more expensive dining is available. It is usually crowded at the train station, and even in a train. Also,  sanitation is not as reliable as in most western trains.

More questions?

Please fill out our contact form if you have more questions. Kindly be advised that our office is always busy with train ticket reservations. We'll only reply to enquiries relating to train ticket/tour package reservations and unfortunately must discard non-related emails. We are unable to answer questions such as visa requirement, vaccinations, etc.

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