How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 App/Website?

Many foreigners wonder: Do I have to go to the station window to buy Chinese train tickets? Can I book train tickets online through China Railway 12306? The answer is yes. Today, let’s see how to buy train tickets on the 12306 App and website.

What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Buy Tickets on Railway 12306?

Both Passports and Foreign Permanent Residence ID Cards can purchase train tickets.

What's the difference between these two documents for train travel?

Passport holders need to go through the manual channel, while foreigners with Foreign Permanent Residence ID Cards can go through the automatic gates.

How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 App

Step 1: Download and install the Railway 12306 App (铁路12306)

• IOS: Download from the App Store
• Android: Download from Google Play

Step 2: Switch to the English version

Tap "Me" (我的) → ⚙ Settings → Version Switch (版本切换) → Select the English version

Step 3: Log in or register an account

• Login options: Email address, mobile phone number, username, Face ID (iPhone).
• Select to register with your passport, follow the instructions to fill in and upload your passport information.

Notes on Filling Foreign Names:

• For foreign permanent residence ID cards and foreign passports that use English names, fill in all English names in order.
• If there is a space between the last name and first name, please fill it in. (e.g., between first/middle/last names).
• Separate surname (last name) and given name (first name) with a space.

🔔Note: Railway 12306 ID verification usually takes 3 to 5 working days.

If you are in a hurry, you can also use Trip.com to buy train tickets online. You can purchase with your passport, no verification required. Usually, the ticket purchase can be completed within 3 minutes.

👇Trip.com Train Ticket Booking Guide

Step 4: Search for train tickets

In the train ticket search box, enter your departure city/station, arrival city/station, date, and click "Search".

Step 5: Choose your train ticket and seat type

• You can filter the train tickets you want based on train type, time, duration, departure station, arrival station, seat type, etc., and then click "Book".
• Select or add passengers to purchase tickets for others, but you need to wait for verification.
• The high-speed rail seats are A, B, C, D, F. AF is a window seat, CD is an aisle seat, and B is a middle seat.

Step 6: Pay your order

• Railway 12306 accepts international cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Chinese bank cards.
• Now you have completed the ticket purchase! You can click "Order" on the left of "Me" to view your order.

How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 Website

Step 1: Open the 12306 website and register or log in to your account.

When creating an account, please fill in your passport information and verify it.

🔊Note: Railway 12306 ID verification usually takes 3 to 5 working days.

Notes on Filling Foreign Names:

• For foreign permanent residence ID cards and foreign passports that use English names, fill in all English names in order.
• If there is a space between the last name and first name, please fill it in. (e.g., between first/middle/last names).
• Separate surname (last name) and given name (first name) with a space.

Step 2: Add your passengers

In "My 12306" → Add passenger information in advance. You can add your own or your family/friends' information. However, you need to wait for verification.

Step 3: Search for train tickets

In the train ticket search box, enter the departure city/station, arrival city/station, date, and click "Search".

Step 4: Choose your seat type and pay

• Select or add passengers to purchase tickets for others, but you need to wait for verification.
• The high-speed rail seats are A, B, C, D, F. AF is a window seat, CD is an aisle seat, and B is a middle seat.
• Like the App, Railway 12306 accepts international cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Chinese bank cards.
• Now you have completed your ticket purchase! You can click "My 12306" → "Order center" to view your order.

12306 Ticket Purchase FAQs

1. Why does my account still show "pending verification" after I registered and added passengers?
Passengers with a passport status of "pending verification" can purchase 4 tickets online cumulatively. Please complete the verification at any station ticket window before boarding to restore full ticket purchase rights.

2. How long does 12306 identity verification take?
Railway 12306 identity verification usually takes 3-5 working days. If you need to travel urgently, please use your passport to buy a ticket on Trip.com (no verification is required, and the ticket can be issued within 3 minutes).

3. What should I do if the passenger verification fails?
Check whether the passport information is filled in correctly (such as name space, validity period), or bring your physical passport to the station ticket window for manual verification.

4. How long in advance can I buy 12306 train tickets?
You can buy the train tickets you need on 12306 15 days in advance.

5. When do 12306 train tickets go on sale?
Railway 12306 provides ticket purchase, ticket change, and change services from 5:00 to 1:00 the next day (5:00 to 24:00 on Tuesdays), and can handle ticket refunds and other services all day.

6. Can foreign passports buy tickets on 12306?
Yes, foreign passports are accepted.

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