How to Change a China Train Ticket
According to the new rule, a ticket can be changed before and even after the train departure, but it has to be changed on the same day before 24:00. No document should be shown unless changing an e-ticket at the railway station, which requires the passenger’s ID certificate and ticket booking number. The earlier you make the change, the more choices you will have.
Where can I change my China train ticket?
In most cases, a China train ticket can be changed at any railway station in Mainland China, either it is a paper one or an electronic one. Usually, there are a few counters designated for the change at the station. However, when the train leaves, one can only handle it at the departure railway station of that train.
Chinese Phrases Used at Railway Stations
 |
| Designated Counter for Ticket Change |
What documents are required for China train ticket change?
No document is required, unless changing an e-ticket at the railway station. In that case, your original ID certificate used for booking and the ticket booking number are required. If you ask someone else to handle it on your behalf, the railway staff may also ask for that person’s original ID certificate. A paper ticket will be given after the change.
What items on a China train ticket can be changed?
| Allowed Change Items | Before Departure | After Departure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ＞48 hours | ≤48 hours | ||
| Seat Class |  | | |
| Departure city |  | | |
| Departure station | | | |
| Arrival city | | | |
| Arrival station | | | |
| Earlier date | | | |
| Earlier time | | | |
| Later date | | | |
| Later time | | | |
How much do I need to pay for the ticket change?
Price of the changed ticket higher than the original one: price difference Price of the changed ticket the same with the original one: none Price of the changed ticket lower than the original one: service fee; the price difference will be returned to you
China Train Ticket Change Service Fee by China Railway Corporation
The change fee will be charged on the basis of the lower price between the original and changed ticket price.
| Changing Time | Trains to Change | Change Fee by China Railway Corporation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before departure | 15 days - 48 hours | trains within pre-sale period | free |
| within 48 hours | trains prior to the date of departure (including the same day) | ||
| 48 hours - 24 hours | trains on the second day of departure or later | 5% of the lower price | |
| within 24 hours | 15% of the lower price | ||
| After departure | before 24:00 in the same day | other trains on the same day | free |
| trains on the second day of departure or later | 40% of the lower price |
If you book through an agency and ask the agency to handle the change issues, they will usually charge an extra amount of service fee.
How to pay & get the return
If the original ticket is paid by cash, then the price differenc will be charged or returned by cash.
If the original one is paid by bank card or online payment tool:
1. Changed ticket fare is higher than the original one: one should pay full fare of the changed ticket through that same bank card or online payment tool and the fare of the original ticket will be returned to the original payment account;
2. Changed ticket fare is lower than the original one: the price difference minus service fee will be returned to your original payment account
If the original ticket is bought from an agency, then you’d better ask the agency to handle the change for you, as the price difference will be returned to or charged through their bankcard, either it is an e-ticket or a paper one.
What to do if you miss your train?
The change rules and procedures are the same as mentioned above.
Note: The above policies are only applied to domestic routes within Mainland China. They are not applied to international trains and those to/from Hong Kong.
Further Reading:How to Refund China Train Tickets
What to Do if You Lost Your China Train Tickets