How to Buy China Train Tickets
How to buy train tickets in China - 2 Ways
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; 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:
Book with An Online Agency - Hassle Free if with TravelChinaGuide
- Select seats for free
- Reschedule for Free
- One-to-one service in English
- 24/7 customer support
- 3,000+ 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor
Unbeatable service fee per ticket as low as USD6, and no extra hidden charge;
No limitation on pre-sale time and you can put an order anytime when your travel plan is set;
Easy and convenient booking web pages and app;
Well-trained operators are standing by 24/7;
Secure online booking and payment environment (TCG accepts Paypal, Credit Card through Paypal, Wire Transfer, Alipay and WeChat pay);
Last but not least, we do our best to book adjacent seats for groups traveling together!
Seat selection has become possible on China high speed trains and we will book the adjacent tickets for passengers traveling in a group. However, this is not always possible if adjacent seats have been sold out. Also, seat selection on normal speed trains are not allowed by China railway ticketing system, either. See details of How to Buy Tickets Online
Buy at Railway Stations and Ticket Outlets - Language Problems
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Search on our website or via our app to know the real-time schedule and choose your favorite train. There are LED boards at stations showing the schedule, but they are in Chinese.
Have second, third or more choices of train, class, or even alternative departure date, in case that the ones you choose are sold out, especially during peak travel season and for popular routes.
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, as only selected staff in metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai may speak English.
Bring your valid ID, such as a passport. If you are going to buy for others, bring theirs, too.
Expect a long queue at the station.
Do not queue for automatic ticket vending machines at the station, as they only recognize Chinese issued ID cards.
Railway Stations in China Useful Chinese Phrases for Train Travel
5 Tips on How to Get Train Tickets in China
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. China train tickets do sell out, especially for distant locations and 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. You are advised to book as early as possible. Most Chinese railway stations have applied E-tickets, where passengers can get in and get onboard the train holding only passport. So you need to bear the ticket information in mind or wrtie it down or print it out on a piece of paper.
The ticket price does not include insurance and you need to buy travel insurance separately.
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
If you are unable to leave on schedule, you can refund or change the ticket. 
See also:
How to Buy High Speed Train Tickets in Hong Kong
China Train Travel - A Beginner’s Guide