China High-Speed Rail Ticket Discounts
Popular China High-Speed Rail Routes Recommendations
Source from 12306 Official Website
Route | Duration | Fare (AUD) |
46 minutes | From $5.06 | |
89 minutes | From $8.71 | |
29 minutes | From $4.63 | |
60 minutes | From $16.98 |
How to Book China High-Speed Rail: 4 Methods Explained
China Opens World's Longest High-Speed Rail Route | TIME.com
Purchase Method | Platform | Key Features |
Online | Provides booking services in Traditional Chinese and multiple languages, with 24/7 online customer support. | |
The official Mainland China high-speed rail ticket booking website. The interface currently only supports Simplified Chinese. | ||
Offline | Ticket Counter at Station | Staff-assisted purchases. Long waiting times may be expected during holidays. |
Self-Service Ticket Machine at Station | No queuing required. Machines may only accept Mainland China bank cards, WeChat Pay, or Alipay. |
Booking Train Tickets for Foreigners through Trip.com vs. 12306
Source from Unsplash
Feature | ||
Language Support | Excellent. Full English website and app, very user-friendly. | Limited. The app is almost entirely in Chinese. |
Payment Methods | Excellent for foreigners. Accepts international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, and more. | Very difficult for foreigners. Only accepts Chinese payment methods: Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UnionPay linked to a Chinese bank account. |
Passport Verification | Seamless. Designed for foreign passports. No extra verification needed. | Complex. Requires a cumbersome process to verify a foreign passport for the first time, often needing to go to a train station counter. |
Customer Support | Reliable English support. Access to customer service via email/chat for help with changes or refunds. | Very limited. Primarily Chinese-only support, difficult for non-speakers. |
Key Features | "Reservation" & "Waitlist" features are clearly explained in English. Integrated with hotels and flights. | Direct access to real-time train schedules and seat availability. |
Best For | Most foreign travelers, first-time visitors, and those who value convenience and English support. | Budget travelers who can read Chinese, have a Chinese bank account, and are comfortable with local apps. |
- For Ease of Use: Trip.com is the undisputed winner for foreigners. The peace of mind and ease of booking are worth the small service fee for most travelers.
- For Saving Money: 12306 is cheaper, but the complex setup and language barrier make it impractical for most short-term visitors.
3555 booked
How to Book China High-Speed Rail Tickets on Trip.com
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- Step 1: Go to the Trip.com ticket booking page and select your departure station, arrival station, and travel date.
- Step 2: Choose your preferred train schedule, then select your seat class. You can click on sorting filters (shortest travel time, lowest price) to find suitable tickets faster.
- Step 3: After confirming the train schedule, you need to fill in the passenger information and contact details. Tickets can be purchased using documents such as the Taiwan Compatriot Permit, Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents, or Mainland China Resident Identity Card.
- Step 4: Select your seat. You can choose a window or aisle seat based on your preference. The railway authorities will try their best to arrange seats according to passengers' preferences, but this cannot be 100% guaranteed. The final seat will be as shown on the ticket you booked.
- Step 5: After all information is filled in, click "Book" to proceed to the payment page. You can pay online using Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, PayPal, UnionPay, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.
- Step 6: After successful payment, you will receive an e-ticket/receipt. You can board the high-speed train with this e-ticket; there is no need to exchange it for a paper ticket.
Tips for Booking China High-Speed Rail Tickets
China Bullet Train Tickets, High Speed Rail Booking Online
After going through the ticket booking tutorial above, I'm sure you're now quite familiar with the process! However, there are still some handy tips and important points to share with you. 🙌
- Book in Advance: Tickets for Mainland China's high-speed rail go on sale 15 days before the travel date. If your trip falls during a public holiday, tickets often sell out quickly, so it is highly recommended to purchase yours early.
- Seat Classes: Mainland China's high-speed trains typically offer three classes: Business Class, First Class, and Second Class. Second Class is the most common seating option on the train, and its configuration is similar to the standard class on Taiwan High Speed Rail.
- Seat Selection: When booking your high-speed rail ticket, you can usually select your seat if there is sufficient availability. Window seats are great for enjoying the scenery and having more privacy, while aisle seats provide easier access to the dining car, restrooms, and for moving about the cabin.
- Arrive Early at the Station: High-speed rail stations in Mainland China are generally very large and handle high passenger volume. Procedures like security checks can take time, so it is advisable to arrive at the station 30 to 45 minutes before your departure.
- Food and Drinks on Board: The high-speed trains are equipped with a dining car offering a variety of meals and beverages. You are also allowed to bring your own food and drinks on board to consume at your seat. Please be considerate and avoid bringing foods with strong odors.
- Changing or Refunding Tickets: Trip.com can assist you with modifying or refunding your tickets. The specific service fees for these changes are adjusted based on the time remaining until departure and the original ticket fare.
View More Mainland China High-Speed Rail Guides
China Accommodation Discounts
FAQs about China High Speed Rail
How to book China high-speed rail tickets?
To book a high-speed train in China as a foreigner, use reliable travel apps like Trip.com, or China Highlights, which offer English interfaces and accept international payments, or try the official 12306 platform if you're comfortable with potential ID verification hurdles; tickets can also be bought at the station, but it's often harder and languages can be a barrier. The easiest way is via third-party apps, which handle the booking, and you use your passport/ID to board, receiving an e-ticket.Can foreigners buy tickets on 12306?
The English website and mobile app of 12306 China Railway online ticketing platform is available for holders of foreign passport recognized by PRC Government. You can enjoy convenient ticketing service once you have activated a 12306 account and completed identity verification.Can you book China train tickets on Trip.com?
Yes. Log in Trip.com website, select departure, destination and date, then click "search". 2. Choose your seat preference including second class, first class, and business class seats.