Getting Around
How to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner
Book on 12306, the official site, or through Trip.com; what to do at the station with a passport; seat classes; and when to book.
China’s high-speed network is the fastest way between most big cities. Beijing to Shanghai takes about 4.5 hours. Trains are punctual, clean, and often cheaper than flying once you count airport time. Here’s how to get a ticket with a foreign passport.
Where to book
| 12306 (official) | Trip.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Ticket price only | Ticket price plus a small service fee |
| Language | English website and app; some station names only in Chinese | Full English |
| Payment | Foreign Visa or Mastercard (sometimes declined), Alipay, WeChat Pay | International cards |
| Account | Passport verification first (minutes to a few days) | Just your passport details |
Our advice: if you’re comfortable with an app that’s a little rough in places, use the official 12306 and verify your passport a week before you need a ticket. If you want the easiest option, or 12306 rejects your card, book on Trip.com. It’s the same seats on the same trains.
When to book
- Sales open about 15 days before departure.
- Book as early as you can for weekends, and for the Chinese New Year, May Day (1–5 May), and National Day (1–7 October) holidays, when popular routes sell out within hours.
- On ordinary weekdays you can often buy a ticket the day before.
Seat classes
- Second class: five seats per row, comfortable for most trips.
- First class: four seats per row, with more legroom. Worth it on long journeys.
- Business class: lie-flat seats on the fastest trains. Expensive, but good on overnight-length trips.
Trains starting with G are the fastest; D trains are a little slower and cheaper.
At the station
- Arrive 45–60 minutes early. Big stations such as Beijing South or Shanghai Hongqiao are as big as airports, and there’s a security check at the entrance.
- Your passport is your ticket. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- The gates: many stations let you scan a foreign passport at the automatic gates. Where they don’t, use the staffed lane next to them and show your passport and booking. Reports differ from station to station, so allow time for the staffed lane.
- Find your gate number on the departure boards. Boarding usually closes 5 minutes before departure.
Where to stay near the station
Many big cities have more than one high-speed station, far apart: Beijing has Beijing South, Beijing West, and others. Check which one your train uses. For an early departure, a hotel near the station saves a stressful morning. Search the station name on Trip.com or Agoda.
