ByChow.
Independent China travel checklist · Item 6/6

High-speed train

High-speed trains connect most big cities, run on time and ride smoothly. For short and medium trips, the train is often faster than flying once you count getting to the airport. Your passport is your ticket.

ChowWritten by Chow · Updated [month/year] · [… min read]
Option 1

Book on Trip.com

Easiest
  1. 1Search for your route and date, then pick a train and seat class (second class, first class, business).
  2. 2Enter your passport details exactly, character by character.
  3. 3Pay with an international card and get a confirmation email. No need to print the ticket.
Option 2

Book on the 12306 app

Official
  1. 1Register an account with your passport and wait for verification.
  2. 2Find a train, choose a seat and pay.
  3. 3Change or refund the ticket right in the app if your plans change.
Option 3

Buy at the station counter

When you're in a hurry
  1. 1Go to the ticket counter and show your passport.
  2. 2Write down the departure station, arrival station, date and time on paper or on your phone screen.
  3. 3Take the ticket and check the details before leaving the counter.
Notes
  • Get to the station early: big stations are huge, and there's a passport check and security screening at the entrance.
  • Look for your boarding gate number (检票口) on the electronic board. The gate closes a few minutes before departure.
  • Tickets sell out very fast around Tet, May 1 and National Day on October 1, so book early.

Chow's note: [train route you took]

ByChow.
Checklist · Item 6/6

High-speed train

High-speed trains connect most big cities, run on time and ride smoothly. For short and medium trips, the train is often faster than flying once you count getting to the airport. Your passport is your ticket.

ChowWritten by Chow · [… min read]
Option 1Easiest

Book on Trip.com

  1. 1Search for your route and date, then pick a train and seat class (second class, first class, business).
  2. 2Enter your passport details exactly, character by character.
  3. 3Pay with an international card and get a confirmation email. No need to print the ticket.
Option 2Official

Book on the 12306 app

  1. 1Register an account with your passport and wait for verification.
  2. 2Find a train, choose a seat and pay.
  3. 3Change or refund the ticket right in the app if your plans change.
Option 3When you're in a hurry

Buy at the station counter

  1. 1Go to the ticket counter and show your passport.
  2. 2Write down the departure station, arrival station, date and time on paper or on your phone screen.
  3. 3Take the ticket and check the details before leaving the counter.
Notes
  • Get to the station early: big stations are huge, and there's a passport check and security screening at the entrance.
  • Look for your boarding gate number (检票口) on the electronic board. The gate closes a few minutes before departure.
  • Tickets sell out very fast around Tet, May 1 and National Day on October 1, so book early.

Chow's note: [train route you took]