Transport · 8 min read
China High-Speed Rail: A Foreigner’s Guide to Booking 12306
China’s high-speed rail is the best way to move between the major cities, and it is entirely usable as a visitor. This covers the booking mechanics that are specific to a foreign passport, and the station names that cause confusion.
Register and verify before you need it
The official booking platform is 12306, available as an app or a website. Registration needs your passport number, and the identity verification step requires the same passport you will use to travel, with a photo of the document page. This is where most foreign travellers get stuck, and the verification can take several days.
If that timing does not work, the alternative is to have a Chinese national book on your behalf, or to buy through a travel agent who can hold tickets. Neither is as good as doing it yourself, so plan to register as soon as you know your travel dates.
Book with the passport number, not a name
The ticket is issued against the passport number, and the same document must be presented at the gate. This is the single most important thing to get right: a ticket booked against a name rather than a document number will not work.
The same rule applies to the name printed on the ticket. It must match the passport exactly, including the order of the given names and family name.
Which stations to use
Large Chinese cities have several stations, and they are frequently at opposite ends of the city. Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Railway Station are a good example; likewise Beijing South and Beijing West, and Guangzhou South and Guangzhou Station.
For high-speed services, Hongqiao, Beijing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shenzhen North, Guangzhou South and Hangzhou East are usually the relevant ones. If the ticket names a different station from the one you expected, this is the reason — check before you travel, not on the day.
Seat classes and what they cost
Second class is comfortable for most journeys and is the default. First class has roughly a 40 per cent wider pitch and is worth it on journeys over three hours. Business class exists on the Beijing–Shanghai line and on the Beijing–Guangzhou and Shanghai–Hangzhou lines on the newer CRH trains.
A useful comparison: on the Shanghai–Hangzhou run, the high-speed train takes about an hour and costs a fraction of the flight. On the Beijing–Shanghai run, roughly 4.5 hours by train against a 2-hour flight plus airport time.
At the station
The gates are self-service: scan the passport, then the ticket. Security screening is thorough and slow at peak times. The train is usually open 15 to 20 minutes before departure, and the boarding gate closes a few minutes before departure.
Allow at least 45 minutes to reach a large station in a big city. The stations are enormous and the walk from the metro to the platform can genuinely take 20 minutes.
Frequently asked
The questions we get most
Can foreigners book high-speed rail tickets in China?
Yes. The 12306 platform accepts foreign passport numbers for registration and booking, and international cards work in the app. The key requirement is that the passport number, not just the name, is used for the booking.
How far ahead should I book?
Rail tickets in China open for sale 15 days in advance, and popular routes between the major cities on holidays and the national travel peaks sell out fast. For anything around Chinese New Year or the October holiday, book the moment the dates open.
What is the difference between second and first class?
First class has roughly 40 per cent more seat pitch, a footrest and a better seat. It is worth it on journeys over three hours. Business class exists on some of the fastest lines and includes a more substantial meal service.
Which station should I use in Shanghai?
For high-speed trains, Shanghai Hongqiao. It is directly connected to the metro and to Hongqiao airport. The older Shanghai Railway Station serves most conventional trains and is in the city centre. Check the station name on your ticket.
Do I need a paper ticket or my passport?
Your passport is the ticket. The electronic record on your passport is scanned at the gate, and the paper or electronic confirmation is a reference rather than the means of travel.
Can I use the high-speed rail to Hong Kong?
Yes, from Shenzhen North or Shenzhen Futian to Hong Kong West Kowloon, in 14 to 20 minutes. Bring your Hong Kong entry permit as well as your mainland documents, as this is an international crossing.