China Train Booking Online: High-speed Rail China, 12306 & How to Book
By Trip.com
June 22, 2026
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Various Methods for China Train Booking
Types of Chinese Train Tickets
Chinese train tickets are categorized into high-speed bullet trains (G/D category) and regular trains.
High-Speed Bullet Trains (G/D)
- Ticket Codes: Start with "G" or "D" followed by numbers.
- Features: Higher speed, cleaner cabins, and modern amenities.
- Seat Classes:
- First Class
- Second Class
- Business Class
- VIP Sleeper
- Deluxe Soft Sleeper
Regular Trains
- Ticket Codes: Start with "Z," "T," "K," "Y," or "S" followed by numbers.
- Features: More economical; facilities may be older.
- Seat Classes: There are hard sleeper, soft Sleeper, deluxe Soft Sleeper, hard Seat and soft Seat
Booking Methods | Platform | Detail |
Trip.com Website | • Multilingual interface (incl. English) | |
12306.cn | • Official booking website • Chinese language only | |
Mobile Apps | Trip.com App | • Books trains/hotels/flights |
12306 App | • Official mobile app | |
Train Stations | Ticket Counters | • In-person purchase at stations |
Automatic Ticket Machines | • Available at major stations |
Requirements for Foreigners to Buy China Train Tickets
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Valid Passport | • Must be presented at booking and boarding • Expiry date ≥ 1 month beyond travel date |
Real-Name Registration | • Exact name match between ticket and passport • Correct order: Surname First (e.g., "SMITH John") |
Visa/Entry Status | • Valid Chinese visa OR • Covered by visa-free policy (54 countries as of 2025) • Tibet: Requires Tibet Travel Permit |
Booking Platform | • Recommended: Trip.com/Ctrip (English support) • Avoid 12306.cn (Chinese-only) • Station counters accept passports |
Payment Methods | • International credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) • Alipay/WeChat Pay with foreign card • Cash at station counters |
Critical Steps to Avoid Issues
- Name Entry Protocol
- Enter names exactly as shown in passport's MRZ zone (machine-readable zone).
- Example: Passport shows "SURNAME: DOE | GIVEN NAME: JOHN ADAM" → Ticket must be "DOE JOHN ADAM".
- Boarding Process
- Security check: Passport + ticket scanned together.
- Allow extra 30 mins for manual verification if name flags mismatches.
- Special Cases
- Infants (0-6 yrs): Book "child ticket without seat" using passport number.
- Tibet Travel: Present Tibet Permit at station counter purchase.
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113355 booked
Best Way to Book China Train for Foreigners with Passport
Forget the local booking platform - 12306 in China (need Chinese ID & limited English interface)! Trip.com is the best choice for international travelers needing China train tickets. Here are the reasons why I recommend Trip.com:
✔️
100% Passport-Friendly Booking
- No Chinese ID required (unlike 12306)
- No complicated registration process
🌐
Full English Support & More
- Real English interface (no translation needed)
- 24/7 customer service in English, French, Japanese
💳
Easy Payment Options
- International credit cards accepted
- PayPal, Alipay, WeChat Pay available
⚡
Instant E-Tickets
- Get tickets immediately after booking
- No need to collect at station
How to buy China Train Tickets on Trip.com for Foreigners
Source from Unsplash
Book China Train 12306 Official Website
Steps:
- Visit the official website of 12306 and register an account. Foreign tourists can register accounts using their passports.
- When registering, fill in your personal information and undergo identity verification (passport information).
- After successful registration, select the departure location, destination, departure time and other information, and choose the high-speed rail train you want to take.
- After confirming the ticket information, pay the ticket fee (Alipay, bank card and other payment methods are supported).
Payment method: Support payment methods such as Alipay, wechat Pay, credit cards and Bank cards of Bank of China.
Book China Train on 12306 APP
Download: The official 12306 App can be downloaded through the App Store or the app Store.
Steps:
- Register and log in to your 12306 account.
- Follow the same steps on the website to select the train information and purchase the ticket.
Special Note: In China, the official website and APP of 12306 usually support an English interface. You can choose to operate in English, which is suitable for foreign tourists to use.
Book China Train through Trip.com Website
1. 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.
3. Add the passengers' information including name, email and phone number.
4. Chosse the seat, you can choose to sit betweem window, aisle, or middle seats among A, B, C, D, and F.
5. Select the payment method you preferred including credit, debit card, Paypal, Pay Later, Wechat Pay, Alipay.
Advantages:
- English service is provided and the purchasing process is simple.
- You can choose your seat through the Trip platform, which is very convenient to operate.
Guide to China Train Booking on Trip.com App
- Log into Trip.com and navigate to "Trains"
- Input departure, destination cities and travel date
3. Click top-right settings and select preferred currency
4. Browse available trains and compare prices for Second/First/Business Class
5. Click "Book Now" and check passenger details including full name, email and phone number.
6. Choose your seat preference, priority processing often costs additional RMB15 per person.
7. Check ticket
8. Secure checkout via credit card/AliPay/WeChat Pay
9. Check out the price detail, and confirm the payment.
10. Choose the payment and click on "Pay Now" through various payment methods.
China Train Booking Tips for Foreigners with Passport
Source from Unsplash
- Passport = Your Travel ID
- Your passport is the only valid ID for ticket booking/boarding.
- Provide your full name (exactly as on passport), passport number, nationality, and date of birth when booking.
- Tip: Enter surnames first (e.g., "SMITH JOHN") to match passport order.
- Visa Rules & Visa-Free Entry
- Most travelers need a valid Chinese visa.
- Visa-free transit/tourism is available (2024-2025) for 38+ countries including EU, Japan, Australia & more – confirm eligibility before travel.
- Name Matching is Critical
- Tickets must show your exact passport name. Spelling errors or name order mismatches = invalid ticket.
- Triple-check every character before payment.
- Choose Foreign-Friendly Booking Channels
Avoid Chinese-only platforms. Instead use: - Trip.com (English website/app, supports foreign cards)
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Universal Beijing Resort
Universal Studios Beijing attracts a lot visitors for its world-class rides and character interactions, especilly Harry Potter World and Jurassic Park zones!
4.6/5
23575 reviews
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Good to go
5/5
The park left a lasting impression! Everything is beautifully decorated, the atmosphere is stunning, the parade is excellent, and the evening light show is a must-see. It was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
I'd especially like to mention the Harry Potter area—it's simply incredible. Even if you're not a big fan, you can't miss it. It's incredibly detailed, beautiful, and completely immersive.
The main drawback is the long lines. Because of them, we didn't have time to try all the attractions we wanted. Sometimes the wait was truly tiring and took up most of the day.
Despite this, the park is definitely worth a visit. If you're prepared to wait in long lines, you'll have a wonderful experience. We definitely didn't regret coming.
5/5
The decorations and attention to detail were amazing, we were unlucky was there a storm in the day of visit, for almost 3 hours most attractions had to be closed, and shows canceled, even with that the experience was very enjoyable, the rides are amazing, the animations and animatronics are impressive and very realistic, the only downside is big wait times...
5/5
The park exceeded all expectations. It's huge, cool, and interesting. There were a lot of people, so there were long lines for the rides. But the management had anticipated this, so there are drinking fountains at all locations, which is very helpful in this heat.
5/5
We had a great time at Universal Park. I highly recommend monitoring the lines at the rides using the app, and also not rushing to the first ones that are sure to be crowded (Hogwarts, for example). Also, carefully consider the season for your trip to China and the park in general. Lines are 100% on weekends, but there will be fewer people on weekdays. We were at the park on March 8th, after the Chinese New Year. So, even though we arrived at 10 a.m. on March 8th, we didn't encounter any lines. For many rides, we waited in line for a maximum of 30 minutes. The longest line wasn't for the rides, but for the Three Broomsticks at Hogwarts.
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
You can't miss forbidden city if you visit Beijing, experience the history and marvellous building. Forbidden city is definitely worth your one day to enjoy its profound beauty and legacy.
4.9/5
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We really enjoyed the tour! The guide was excellent! He gave us a wonderful tour! We loved everything! Thanks to Dima and Ustye❤️🌹
5/5
The Forbidden City is an absolute must-visit in Beijing. The architecture and history are truly breathtaking. However, if you visit during the summer, be prepared for extreme heat. There is very little shade inside the complex, so walking for several hours under the sun can be exhausting. Bring plenty of water, wear a hat, use sunscreen, and take care to avoid heat exhaustion.
5/5
The Forbidden City—I felt like an empress! 😂
Honestly, I didn't expect to be so overwhelmed! You enter through the Gate of Heavenly Peace and are simply awestruck by the sheer scale. These vast squares, the red walls, the golden roofs—it's all so powerful that it's hard to call it just a "palace." It's an entire city, and getting lost in it is easy!
My favorite was the Imperial Garden 🌿—such a tranquil place with its amusing stone lions and centuries-old pine trees. I really wanted to sit down on a bench and pretend I was an empress out for a breath of fresh air (spoiler alert: the benches were all occupied by tourists 😂).
We deliberately turned into the side courtyards—there were far fewer people there, and you could calmly soak up the atmosphere. And when we climbed the city wall, a magnificent view of the entire complex and even modern Beijing beyond opened up. This is probably one of those places that everyone should see!
5/5
Since I live in China, I could have tried buying tickets through WeChat, but I had heard that tickets for the Forbidden City during the summer holiday season are hard to come by, so I played it safe and bought them here (it was a little more expensive than buying them myself through WeChat). In conclusion, I'm glad I booked here. I tried to book tickets for the following week myself, but the booking system was overwhelmed and I couldn't get through, and they sold out while I was trying. On the day of my visit, I was able to enter simply by scanning my passport at the entrance gate. I was able to enter without any problems. After entering, I was simply overwhelmed by the size and grandeur of the Forbidden City. I have seen many tourist attractions in various countries, but the Forbidden City left the strongest impression on me. I recommend watching the movie The Last Emperor before you go! Also, I think it would be smoother to see Tiananmen Square and then head north to the Meridian Gate, the entrance to the Forbidden City. Please note that you need to book Tiananmen Square at least one day in advance to enter. It is a must-see spot if you go to Beijing.
4/5
The tour guide explained everything very carefully despite the scorching heat, but there was a mistake in providing fewer guide headphones than there were people. They did give us breaks occasionally, but several groups of customers dropped out midway due to the extreme heat. I recommend going during a cooler season. The scenery was magnificent.
Build in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland is the sixth resort worldwide and third in Asia. Located in Shanghai, this park brings wonder and fantasy to life through beautiful attractions and joyment.
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5/5
It's a dream come true! I definitely recommend booking tickets in advance! 4 weeks or more! Go early (at opening to maximize your time)! Don't rush between zones – try to plan your route sequentially! Avoid standing in long lines – the most popular attractions are often less crowded in the afternoon and evening.
5/5
The atmosphere in the park is amazing! We especially loved the Zootopia town, the interactive Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and the Tron ride (it's especially fun to ride in the evening!) 😍 It's great that the park offers more interesting options than just the usual fast food.
5/5
I really enjoyed it. The only downside was the long lines for the rides, even though it was a weekday. We only managed to ride four rides. It was very hot standing in line. Pirates of the Caribbean and Zootopia are no match for each other. Definitely worth a visit!
5/5
Shanghai Disney land was honestly the best theme park I’ve ever visited. The park is beautiful and clean, the rides were definitely the highlight.
5/5
A journey into a magical fairytale with Disney characters. Despite the long lines almost everywhere, the overall experience was excellent. I recommend arriving after 12:00 PM, as we had the longest line in the morning. There's a great restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean area; it's cool and cozy, and the food is delicious. Stay until closing; the evening show is simply incredible.
Questions about China Train Booking
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Can foreigners buy tickets on 12306?
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