How to Take the Train in China
A quick guide on how to take China trains:1. Pay special attention to the departure station. Many cities in China have more than one station, so you need to make sure which one you should go to.
2. Figure out your way to the railway station and time needed to get there from your place. Stations in many large cities have been connected with subways and almost all stations can be reached by city bus and taxi.
3. Passengers can now take China trains directly with their ID certificate used for booking ticket, like passport, saving trouble collecting the paper ticket. Just remember the train number, carriage number, seat number and other necessary information. For those who are not confident with your memory, please print out or write down the train information beforehand.
Railway Stations in China
Useful Chinese Phrases for Train Travel
Always make sure that you have some extra time before the departure. Generally, it is recommended to arrive at the station 1 hour before the scheduled departure time. However, should you travel during the Spring Festival Travel Rush or holidays, you are advised to be 1.5 hours early.
When reaching a station, you arrive at the square outside, in the basement or on the elevated motor way outside the hall. There are signs showing the entrances. If not, you can easily tell the station from other buildings by the continuous passenger flow.
Pay attention to the broadcast. In most cases, check-in starts 30 minutes before departure and ends 5 minutes before at an originating station. If it is an intermediate station, there is only 10-15 minutes for check-in.
1. The announcements in most railway stations are broadcast in Chinese and English; bilingual signs in both of the two are also helpful.
2. Almost all overnight trains have a dining car where you can purchase a meal. There are also trolleys service selling items of food, drink, snacks, magazines and other small items, regularly going back and forth through the aisles during a journey. Certainly, you could also bring your own food.
3. Be prepared to cope with possible crowds and some inconvenience, especially during the travel rush. Rail travel in China is a cultural experience to be enjoyed, and it is bound to be memorable!
4. Keep your luggage safe and take the valuable items in your carry-on bags rather than in the suitcases.
Step 1: Arrive at the railway station 1-1.5 hours in advance;
Step 2: Pass ID-ticket check and security check at the station entrance;
Step 3: Find the right boarding gate in the waiting hall and wait for boarding;
Step 4: Check in at the boarding gate;
Step 5: Go to the platform for boarding;
Step 6: Settle the luggage and sit down to enjoy the trip;
Step 7: Upon arrival, get off the train and check out.
Now let’s look into the steps in very detail.
Preparations Beforehand
2. Figure out your way to the railway station and time needed to get there from your place. Stations in many large cities have been connected with subways and almost all stations can be reached by city bus and taxi.
3. Passengers can now take China trains directly with their ID certificate used for booking ticket, like passport, saving trouble collecting the paper ticket. Just remember the train number, carriage number, seat number and other necessary information. For those who are not confident with your memory, please print out or write down the train information beforehand.
Railway Stations in China Useful Chinese Phrases for Train TravelGet to Station 1-1.5H Earlier
Pass ID & Security Check
Upon arriving at the station, follow the passenger flow or direction boards to find the entrance and wait in line to get inside.
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Your ID certificate like a passport used for ticket booking will be checked at the entrance and overseas passengers should use the manual check channel. You will also need to go through a security check before going inside just like what you need to do when taking a flight but not as strictly. As long as you do not carry prohibited items, it is generally easy to pass through (see baggage allowance).
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Find Right Boarding Gate
After the security check, go to the right waiting hall following the signs where you will see many boarding gates.
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Find your boarding gate number included in your ticket confirmation, or search for it on the screen in the waiting hall.
Locate your boarding gate and confirm train information on the LED screen above the gate.
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Then wait in the specific area closest to the boarding gate of your train.
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Some stations may have special areas/rooms for business class seat or soft sleeper ticket holders. In addition, most stations provide special services for people in need including those with disabilities, the elderly, those traveling with little kid, and pregnant women. With a prior online appointment or application at the inquiry window of the station, they could wait in a special area or room and get on board before others.
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The waiting halls are usually equipped with hot drinking water, toilets, restaurants, stores, and information desks.
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Check In
Your ID certificate used for ticket booking will be checked again at the boarding gate. Also, overseas passengers need to use the manual check channel.
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Go to Platform & Onboard
After passing the boarding gate, follow the flow of people to your platform. Escalators, lifts and stairs are all available in most railway stations. There may be two trains on the platform. Double confirm which one to board according to the train information on the hanging display screen above.
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After locating the train, find your carriage. The carriage number is shown by the door of the carriage. At some stations, the carriage number is also marked on the platform, which helps to locate your carriage, too.
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Settle Luggage & Enjoy Trip
After boarding, find your seat/sleeper according to the number shown above the window or on the compartment wall. At the same time, put your luggage safely on the luggage rack, behind the last row, or inside the closet between two carriages.
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Sit down for the departure. During the trip, pay attention to the broadcast and LED screens at both ends of the carriage, which tell the station you are about to arrive at.
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Get off & Check out
Get off the train as soon as it arrives at your station. Trains stop at stations just long enough for people to get on and off. To be on the safe side, you’d better prepare your luggage 10 minutes in advance. Besides, it is wise not to get off for any reason before reaching your destination as the train may well leave before you can get back on board.
In most stations, arriving passengers will be led to the exit by an underground passage.
In most stations, arriving passengers will be led to the exit by an underground passage.
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Follow the bilingual direction boards to find exit/subway/bus/taxi/coach to leave the station. You need to show your ID certificate again at the manual channel of the exit to leave. If you are picked up by a friend or your tour guide, make sure you know where they will wait for you, as some stations have more than one exit.
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Transfer to another train
When arriving at the transfer station, there is no need to get out of the station and then reenter. One can follow the direction boards to the waiting hall directly, and then find the boarding gate for the connecting train.
Through passengers should not get off leisurely between the starting station and the destination, as the train only stops a few minutes at most intermediate stations. If you unfortunately miss your train, extra pay will be asked for the following trip.
Through passengers should not get off leisurely between the starting station and the destination, as the train only stops a few minutes at most intermediate stations. If you unfortunately miss your train, extra pay will be asked for the following trip.
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1. The announcements in most railway stations are broadcast in Chinese and English; bilingual signs in both of the two are also helpful.
2. Almost all overnight trains have a dining car where you can purchase a meal. There are also trolleys service selling items of food, drink, snacks, magazines and other small items, regularly going back and forth through the aisles during a journey. Certainly, you could also bring your own food.
3. Be prepared to cope with possible crowds and some inconvenience, especially during the travel rush. Rail travel in China is a cultural experience to be enjoyed, and it is bound to be memorable!
4. Keep your luggage safe and take the valuable items in your carry-on bags rather than in the suitcases.
- Last updated on Feb. 06, 2025 by Grace Yang -