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How to buy train tickets in China as a foreigner

Book online in advance with your passport. The official railway site, 12306, has an English version that accepts foreign passports and international cards, with tickets going on sale about 15 days before departure. Third-party booking apps charge a small fee and are easier if the official site rejects your card.

Booking

  1. Create an account on the official 12306 English site or app and register your passport as the ID.
  2. Search your route as soon as sales open, about 15 days before travel. Holiday periods sell out within minutes.
  3. Pay with an international card. If it is declined, try a different card or a booking app.
  4. Your passport is your ticket: there is usually nothing to print.

At the station

  1. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early. Stations are large and have airport-style security.
  2. Foreign passports often cannot use the automatic gates; use the staffed lane.
  3. Check the station name carefully. Big cities have several, far apart.

What goes wrong

Buying at the station on the day. Sold out. The next seat is tomorrow, or a standing ticket for five hours.
Going to the wrong station. Xi'an North and Xi'an Station are different places, about 12 km apart.
Booking under a nickname. The name must match the passport exactly or you cannot board.

The game calls this one "Train sold out?". Confucius is not sympathetic.

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Quick questions

How early do tickets go on sale?

About 15 days before departure. Check the official site for the exact time for your train.

Is the high-speed train better than flying?

For trips under about five hours it is usually easier: city-centre stations, no long check-in, and reliable timing.

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Last reviewed 2026-11. Payment, ticketing and entry rules in China change often; confirm details with the official app or site before you travel. This page is general travel information, not professional advice.