How to Buy China Train Tickets

1. Book tickets online - hassle free if on TravelChinaGuide

2. Buy tickets at railway stations or ticket outlets in Mainland China - language barrier

 Valid ID is required for booking the train tickets in China, which include:
Foreign Passengers: Passport, or China Permanent Residence Permit
Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Passengers: Mainland Travel Permit

Here are details of the 2 ways showing you how to book train tickets in China:

You can also go in person to purchase tickets at any railway station or ticket outlet in Mainland China. The latter charges CNY 5 per ticket as a service fee.
 

More Ticket Office Pictures(18)

 1. Both of their pre-sale periods are only 15 days before departure. For example, if one is going to travel on January 21, the earliest day he or she can buy the ticket at the railway station or ticket outlet is January 7. 

 2. China train tickets do sell out, especially for popular routes. During peak travel seasons, such as Chinese New Year and the National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7, they can sell out within minutes. If you go to the station to buy tickets on the day of departure, there is a high risk of failure. 

3. Bilingual services are provided only at massive railway stations in major cities. If you are not good at speaking Chinese, it may be troublesome to book tickets offline.
 

If you still want to try your luck, and to ensure a smooth booking, there are several preparations you need to make before going:

1. Confirm the office hours of the railway ticketing offices. Some of them close at night.
 Railway Stations in China

2. Search on our website to know the real-time schedule and choose your favorite train. There are LED boards at ticket offices showing the schedule, but they are in Chinese in most cases.

3. Have second, third or more choices of train, class, or even alternative departure date, in case that the ones you choose are sold out. If you hate crowds, trains departing in the early morning or at late night with fewer passengers may suit you.
 How to Choose China Train Ticket Types?

4. Print out or write down the train number, class, departure station, departure date, arrival station, and all other necessary information and show them to the staff for fear that there is no English service available.
 Useful Chinese Phrases for Train Travel

5. Bring your valid ID, such as a passport. If you are going to buy for others, bring theirs, too.

6. Expect a long queue at the station during holidays.
 Train Travel in China during Holidays

7. There are automatic ticket vending machines at the railway stations, but not all of them recognize passport.

---

1. The pre-sale time of China railway tickets is now 15 days before departure. But TravelChinaGuide accepts customers' bookings without time limitation, so you can book with us whenever you finalize your travel plan. 

2. There is no need to collect paper tickets after booking. Chinese railway stations have applied E-tickets, where passengers can get in and get onboard the train holding only a passport. So you only need to bear the ticket information in mind; if cannot, write it down or print it out on a piece of paper.

3. The ticket price does not include insurance and you need to buy travel insurance separately.

4. Children aged 6 to 14 years old need to buy children's tickets while those under 6 years old ride for free. Please note that children as a rule should be accompanied by adults. See detailed Train Travel in China with Kids

5. If you are unable to leave on schedule, you can refund or change the ticket.