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 cancellation and some agencies may ask 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.
Where can I refund my China train ticket?
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| Ticket Change and Refund Window |
One can handle it at any railway station in Mainland China. At some big railway stations, there are special counters dealing with refund.
Chinese Phrases Used at Railway Stations
If it is an e-ticket, it can also be cancelled on the official website of China Railway Corporation, 12306.cn. However, there are two cases an e-ticket must be canceled at the railway station:
1. It is less than 30 minutes before departure;
2. Tickets of some popular trains, including those to/from Tibet, can only be refunded at railway stations by passengers themselves with their ID certificates used for booking. The specific train numbers are not published but are displayed during booking.
What documents are required to refund a China train ticket?
Documents are required when canceling a ticket at the railway station. No documents are required when canceling an e-ticket on 12306.cn.
| Ticket Type | Refund on Your Own | Someone on Your Behalf |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Ticket | Ticket, Original of your ID certificate | Ticket, Copy or original of your ID certificate, Original of that person’s ID certificate |
| E-Ticket | Original of your ID certificate, Ticket pickup number | Original of your ID certificate, Ticket pickup number, Original of that person’s ID certificate |
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 |
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 hold an e-ticket, you’d better ask for a refund from the agency. If you have already had the paper one in hand, you need to refund it at the railway station. The railway staff will then 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.
Further Reading:
How to Change China Train Tickets