How to Refund / Cancel a China Train Ticket
If you book through an agency, you'd better confirm the regulations of the specific agency before booking. Some agencies do not accept cancellations and some agencies may ask an extra cancellation fee.
When can I refund my China train ticket? - Before Departure
You are advised to make it before the train leaves; and the earlier, the less you pay the cancellation fee.
There are no refunds after the train leaves. Minor exceptions can be allowed under the approval of the stationmaster within 2 hours after the scheduled departure time. If you miss your train accidentally, you can change to a later one on the same day without additional cost. However, tickets that are changed after departure time cannot be refunded, either.
Know more about: How to Change Tickets
Where can I refund my China train ticket?
 |
| Ticket Change and Refund Window |
At Railway Stations
One can handle it at any railway station in Mainland China. At some big railway stations, there are counters specialized in ticket refund/ change.
Or you can find a ticket vending machine with refunding function at the ticket office and cancel the ticket following its instructions.
Read more: Chinese Phrases Used at Railway Stations China Railway Stations
Through Online Website or APP
If it is booked online through the official website or app of China Railway Corporation, it can also be cancelled there.
If you buy tickets with cash at railway stations with ID certificate, mostly your passport, you can cancel online first after verifying through the official website or app, and then go to the railway station to get your cash back within 180 days since then with your passport.
Note: If you have already checked your luggage with the ticket, cancel the luggage check-in service before refunding your ticket.
What documents are required to refund a China train ticket?
Valid ID certificate used for booking is required when canceling a ticket at the railway station. If you ask someone to do it on your behalf, he/she needs to bring the ID certificates of you two.
No documents are required when canceling online.
How much do I need to pay for canceling a China train ticket?
The cancellation service fee varies based on when you submit it. Generally, the earlier you cancel it, the less you pay.
China Train Ticket Cancellation Fee
| Cancellation Time before Departure | Cancellation fee by China Railway Corporation |
|---|---|
| More than 15 days | None |
| 15 days - 48 hours | 5% of the original fare par value, at least CNY2 |
| 48 hours - 24 hours | 10% of the original fare par value |
| Within 24 hours | 20% of the original fare par value |
Note:Where does the refund go?
If paid by cash, passengers will get the cash back; if paid by bank account, the money will go back to that account; if paid by online payment tool like Alipay or WeChat, the money will go back to that specific online payment tool.
Most agencies buy tickets for their customers on the official website, so the refund may go back to the bank account of the agency. If you refund online, you’d better ask for a refund from the agency. If you refund at the railway station, the railway staff will give you a receipt; you can show the receipt to the agency to have your money back. Note: The above rules are only applied to tickets of those trains running within Mainland China, but not applied to international trains and those to/from Hong Kong.