Key Pre-Purchase Information
China’s high-speed rail network operates under a mandatory real-name ticketing system for all passengers, regardless of nationality. Any non-Chinese citizen traveling on intercity CRH/CR series high-speed services (operating at speeds of 200–350 km/h) must purchase a ticket linked to a valid, government-issued travel document.
Tickets are released for sale across all official channels 15 days in advance of the travel date (counting the departure day as day 1). First-time passengers using foreign travel documents must complete identity verification before accessing online booking channels; verification only needs to be completed once, and remains valid for future travel. Foreign passengers are subject to the same ticketing, refund, change, and onboard rules as Chinese domestic ID holders.
Required Documents and Eligibility
Per official China Railway rules, the following original documents are accepted as valid ID for foreign passengers to purchase tickets and board trains:
- Valid foreign passport (regular, official, or diplomatic)
- China Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners (the “Five-Star Card”, which carries equal validity to Chinese national ID for all rail services)
- Foreign entry-exit permit issued by Chinese public security authorities
- Diplomatic or consular certificate issued by foreign missions in China
- Seafarer’s passport
- Official passport loss certificate issued by local public security entry-exit administrations
There are no special eligibility restrictions for foreign passengers purchasing tickets, except for individuals subject to nationwide court-ordered high-consumption bans or railway travel blacklists for past serious misconduct on trains. Each valid ID may only be used to book one ticket per train per travel date. Child passengers (ages 6 to under 14) are eligible for discounted child tickets, and children under 6 may travel free with an accompanying adult (one free child per adult; additional children require child tickets). All child passengers must also be registered with a valid travel document at the time of booking.
Important note: Digital copies, photos, or scanned versions of travel documents are not accepted for in-person verification or boarding; original physical documents are required at all stages of travel.
Step-by-Step Purchasing Process
Step 1: Complete mandatory identity verification
All first-time foreign passengers must verify their identity before using online booking channels. Two verification paths are available:
- Online verification (recommended): Register an account on the official 12306 mobile app or website, select the corresponding document type (e.g., foreign passport), enter required personal details, and upload a clear photo of the document’s biographical information page plus a selfie of the passenger holding the document open to the photo page. Verification is normally processed within 1 working day. Holders of the China Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners receive instant automatic verification after entering their card number.
- In-person verification: If online verification fails, or if a passenger prefers to book offline directly, bring the original valid travel document to a staffed ticket counter at any railway station or an officially authorized railway ticket agency to complete verification on site. Verification is completed immediately, and passengers can purchase tickets directly after processing.
Step 2: Book and pay for tickets
After successful verification, passengers may choose from three official booking channels:
- Official 12306 app/website (most recommended): Search for routes by departure station, arrival station, and travel date, select preferred train and seat class (second class, first class, business class, or sleeper class for overnight services), confirm passenger details (ensure name order, document number, and personal information exactly matches the travel document), and complete payment. Accepted payment methods include major international cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express), WeChat Pay, and Alipay. No additional service fees apply.
- Station ticket counters: Present your original valid document to station staff, state your travel route, date, and seat preference, and pay via RMB cash, bank card, or mobile payment. Tickets are linked to the passenger’s ID instantly.
- Authorized ticket agencies: Official ticket agencies (marked with official China Railway signage, often located in major hotels, travel hubs, or urban commercial areas) offer ticket sales services, with a fixed RMB 5 service fee per ticket. Original travel documents are required for all bookings.
Note: Third-party travel platforms may offer booking services, but often charge additional service fees. China Railway authorities are not liable for booking errors, information leaks, or ticket fraud arising from non-official channels.
Step 3: Prepare for boarding
All high-speed rail routes use electronic ticketing; no paper ticket is required to board. On the travel day, arrive at the station at least 30–45 minutes before departure to account for security checks and verification queues. As of 2024, automatic ticket gates at major hub stations (e.g., Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou South) support chip reading for most international e-passports, but many smaller and mid-sized stations do not yet have this capability. Foreign passengers are advised to use the staffed manual verification lane, present the original travel document used for booking, and proceed through security to the assigned boarding gate.
Passengers who require a paper receipt for reimbursement may print an official reimbursement voucher within 180 days of the travel date at station ticket counters or self-service kiosks; this voucher is not valid for boarding.
Common Restrictions and Avoidable Issues
- Information mismatch: Entering names in the wrong order (surname/given name reversal), incorrect document numbers, or nicknames instead of legal names will cause verification failure or denied boarding. All entered information must exactly match the printed details on the travel document.
- Document updates: If a passenger renews their passport or changes travel documents after booking, they must update the ID information linked to the ticket via the 12306 platform or a station counter before travel, as old document numbers will not match new documents at boarding checks.
- Refund and change rules: Tickets can be refunded or changed up to the train departure time. No refund fee is charged for cancellations made 8 or more days before departure; fees increase as the departure time approaches. After a train departs, passengers may only change to another train on the same route on the same day, and no refunds are permitted.
- Peak period demand: Tickets for major holiday periods (including Spring Festival, National Day holiday, and summer vacation) sell out very quickly after release. Booking as soon as tickets become available 15 days in advance is recommended.
- Boarding deadlines: All stations stop ticket checks 3–5 minutes before train departure. Arriving too late may result in missing the train with no refund eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can foreign passengers complete the entire ticket purchase process online without visiting a station?
A: Yes, in most cases. Passengers with valid passports can complete online verification via the 12306 app, purchase tickets, and pay with international cards without visiting a station. In-person verification is only required if online verification is rejected due to unclear photos or unrecognizable document information.
Q: Are paper tickets required for boarding?
A: No. All high-speed rail services use electronic ticketing. The original travel document used for booking is the only credential required to pass checks and board the train. Paper documents issued after travel are solely for reimbursement purposes.
Q: Can I use a digital copy of my passport to board if I forget the original?
A: No. Only original physical travel documents are accepted for identity verification at stations. Passengers who lose their original passport must obtain an official loss certificate from local public security entry-exit authorities before they can purchase tickets or board.
Q: Do I need to show my train booking confirmation or app QR code to enter the station?
A: No. Booking confirmations and QR codes from the 12306 app are for passenger reference only. Staff verify passenger eligibility by cross-checking original travel documents against the real-name ticketing system.
Q: Can I buy tickets for other foreign friends or family members?
A: Yes. Bookings for other passengers are permitted, provided you enter their accurate legal name and valid document information, and the passenger has completed the required identity verification. Each passenger must present their own original travel document when boarding.
参考来源
China Railway 12306 Official Website: https://www.12306.cn
China State Railway Group Official Announcement on Upgraded Online Identity Verification for Foreign Passengers (November 2023)
China Railway Public Guidance on Real-Name Ticketing and Electronic Ticket Rules (2024)