China Train Seat Guide: Seat Classes & How to Book for Foreigners

Are you planning to travel to multiple cities by taking the high-speed rail on the Chinese mainland? This article introduces the most discussed information about china train seats on the Internet, including detailed contents such as carriage facilities, ticket prices, advantages and disadvantages.

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How many Types of Chian Train Seats

High-Speed Trains (G/D/C Trains)

Source from Unsplash

Conventional Overnight Trains (K/T/Z Trains)

China High-Speed Train Seat Interiors (By Class)

China High-Speed Train | Second Class Seat

Source from The China Gude

Layout: 3 + 2 seats per row.

• Ambiance: Busy and social, similar to the economy class on an airplane but with more legroom.
• Seating: The seats are arranged in a "3+2" configuration. Each seat is reasonably padded and comfortable.
• Facilities: Legroom, Tray Table, Power Sockets, Overhead Storage.
• Direction: Seats are fixed in one direction, but many can be rotated 180 degrees by staff at terminal stations. Rows of seats face each other, with a table between them at the ends of carriages.
• Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, short to medium journeys (2-5 hours).

China High-Speed Train | First Class Seat

Source from China Train Guide

Layout: 2 + 2 seats per row.

• Ambiance: Quieter, more spacious, and calmer than Second Class.
• Seating: The "2+2" layout means wider seats and more personal space. The upholstery is often of a higher quality.
• Facilities: Legroom, Tray Table, Power Sockets, Amenities
• Direction: All seats face the same direction.
• Best for: Travelers seeking extra comfort, longer journeys, or those who want a quieter environment.

China High-Speed Train | Business Class Seat

Source from Travel China Guide

Layout: 2 + 1 or 1 + 1 seats per row.

• Ambiance: A premium, airline business-class-like experience with maximum privacy and service.
• Seating: The seats are large, electrically controlled "pods" that can recline to a fully flat bed on many routes. They are covered in high-quality leather or fabric.
• Facilities: Privacy, Controls, Entertainment, Tray Table, Amenities.
• Best for: Business travelers, luxury seekers, or those celebrating a special occasion. It's the most expensive option.

China Train Types, Classes, Differences & Facilities

China Train Hard Seat

Source from China Train Guide

This is the most basic and economical seating option.

• Layout & Ambiance: Benches with basic padding, typically arranged in a 3+2configuration. The carriages are open-plan and can get very crowded, noisy, and smoky (from the train doors). It's a very local experience but can be uncomfortable for long trips.
• Facilities: Seats do not recline significantly. Legroom is tight, and under-seat space is limited. This is a non-air-conditioned class on many older trains, though newer ones may have AC. It's often used by migrant workers and students due to its low cost.
• Best For: The most budget-conscious travelers on very short journeys (a few hours). Not recommended for overnight travel.

China Train Soft Seat

Source from Top China Travel

A more comfortable seated option, but less common and usually found on shorter, daytime routes.

• Layout & Ambiance: Padded, more comfortable seats, usually in a 2+2configuration. The carriages are generally cleaner, quieter, and air-conditioned.
• Facilities: Seats are softer and may recline slightly. Offers more legroom and personal space than Hard Seat. Travelers on a daytime route where a Soft Seat is available, who want more comfort than Hard Seat but don't need a sleeper.

China Train Hard Sleeper

Source from Tibet Visa

This is the most common and affordable way to travel overnight.

• Layout: Open-plan carriages with six bunks per compartment(two lower, two middle, two upper). There is no door, so it's open to the aisle.
• Facilities: Each bunkhas a mattress, pillow, and blanket.
• Lower Bunks: Are the most expensive. They offer the most space to sit up and have a small shared table. However, they are the least private as other passengers may sit on your bunk.
• Middle/Upper Bunks: Are cheaper. They are more private but have less headroom. You must climb up and down a ladder.
• Aisles:There are small fold-down seats by the windows for passengers to sit and look outside.

China Train Soft Sleeper

Source from China International Travel Service

This is the most comfortable and private standard sleeper option.

• Layout: Enclosed, lockable compartments with four bunks(two lower, two upper).
• Facilities: The door makes it safer and much quieter. Bunks are slightly wider and often have individual reading lights and a small table.
• Ambiance: Generally preferred by tourists and families.

How to Choose China Train Seats & Types

Source from Unsplash

If you chose a HIGH-SPEED TRAIN

If you chose a REGULAR TRAIN (for an overnight trip)

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:

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

1. ​​Log into Trip.com and navigate to "Trains"
2. 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.

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