How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 as a Foreigner (Step by Step, 2026)

Last checked: 2026-11-05. Rules change; always confirm with the official source before you travel.

China's official railway booking platform, 12306 (China Railway), has an English website and an English mode in its app. Foreign visitors can book there directly, with no booking fee, using their passport. The rules come from 12306 itself and the Beijing government's guide for foreigners.

Before you start

• Your passport: the only ID accepted for foreigners on the English site. Your passport is also your ticket.
• An email address or phone number for the account.
• A payment method: the Beijing government guide says you can pay online with Chinese or foreign bank cards and mobile payment apps. Have Alipay or WeChat Pay set up as a backup, because foreign cards are sometimes declined.
• Time: register and verify a few days before you need to book.

Step 1: Register

1. Open www.12306.cn/en, or install the official app (铁路12306, published by China Railway) and switch it to English under 我的 (My) > Settings.
2. Choose Register and select Passport as the ID type.
3. Enter your name, nationality, passport number, date of birth and gender exactly as printed on the passport, in the same order, without extra spaces.
4. Confirm your email or phone and set a password.

Step 2: Verify your identity

Railway tickets in China are real-name tickets, so the account must be verified before you can buy. According to the Beijing government guide, the system checks your passport details automatically. If that fails, you can upload a photo of the passport information page for manual review, or take your passport to a staffed ticket office at any station. Manual review can take a few days, which is why you should do this early.

Step 3: Search and choose a train

• Enter the departure and arrival cities and the date. Big cities have several stations (Beijing South, Beijing West and so on), so check which one your train uses.
• Train numbers starting with G are the fastest high-speed trains, D trains are slightly slower, and Z, T and K are conventional trains, some of them overnight sleepers.
• Seat classes on high-speed trains: Business, First and Second. In second class, seats A and F are by the window, C and D on the aisle, and B is the middle seat.

Step 4: Book when tickets open

Tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure, counting the travel day. Each station releases seats at its own time, so popular trains, especially around holidays, can sell out within minutes. If your train is sold out, the app's waitlist option (候补, hòubǔ) can get you a seat if someone cancels.

Step 5: Pay

Add yourself as the passenger, choose the seat, confirm and pay before the countdown on the screen ends, or the seat goes back on sale. If a foreign card is declined, try another card, switch from hotel Wi-Fi to mobile data, or pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Step 6: At the station

• Bring the same passport you booked with. There is no paper ticket to collect.
• Arrive 30–45 minutes early at big stations. There is a security check at the entrance, and the station is large.
• Find your train number and waiting area on the departure screens. Many stations have automatic gates that read passports; otherwise use the staffed lane and show your passport.

Changes and refunds

You can change or refund a ticket in the app or on the website under Orders before departure. Refund fees rise as the departure time gets closer, and the app shows the fee before you confirm. If you miss your train, ask at the station ticket office straight away.

Common problems

• Verification stuck: upload the passport photo, or verify at a station ticket office on arrival.
• Name doesn't match: it must match the passport exactly, including middle names.
• Sold out: try the waitlist, a different departure time, a D train instead of a G train, or a nearby station.
• Peak dates: around Chinese New Year and Golden Week, book the minute tickets open. See China public holidays 2027.

More on getting around: our China transport overview, the essential apps checklist and the Beijing airport guide. Heading north in winter? The Harbin winter trip guide covers the trains from Beijing.

FAQ

Can foreigners book China trains on 12306?

Yes. The 12306 English website and app accept valid foreign passports. Register with your passport details, verify your identity, then book and pay online.

How far in advance can I book China train tickets?

Usually 15 days before departure, counting the travel day. Stations release seats at different times.

Can I pay on 12306 with a foreign credit card?

The Beijing government guide says you can pay online with Chinese or foreign bank cards and mobile payment apps. If a card is declined, Alipay or WeChat Pay usually works.

Do I need a paper ticket?

No. Your passport is your ticket. Bring the same passport you booked with to the station gate.

What if 12306 can't verify my passport?

Upload a photo of the passport information page for manual review, or take your passport to a staffed ticket office at a railway station.

Official sources

• China Railway 12306: English FAQ (passports, real-name tickets)
• Beijing Municipal Government: rail tickets for foreign travellers (ID, verification, payment)
• China Railway 12306 (official)