Can foreigners use 12306 with a passport?

Yes. Register in the 12306 app with your passport; identity verification can take 1-2 days, so do it before you travel. The app has an English interface.

Should I book trains on 12306 or Trip.com?

12306 is the official platform with no markup, but registration and foreign-card payment can be fiddly. Trip.com is easier for foreigners (English support, foreign cards) for a small service fee.

How do I collect and use my train ticket?

Most trains use e-tickets tied to your passport — scan your passport at the station gate to enter and board. No paper ticket is needed for high-speed rail.

Can I change or refund a 12306 ticket?

Yes, within the app before departure; refund fees rise closer to departure. Changes are subject to seat availability on the new train.

12306 — China Railway Booking Platform

12306 is the official ticketing platform for China Railway and the only authoritative channel for high-speed, bullet, and conventional train tickets.

Basics

Website: https://www.12306.cn (English version available)
Hotline: 12306 (English support available)
App: App Store / Google Play; English UI
Booking window: Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. Book as soon as the window opens for popular routes and holiday periods — popular G-train seats sell out quickly.

Can foreigners use 12306?

Registration requires a phone number (foreign numbers accepted) and a passport number.
Tickets must be booked under your real passport details.
E-tickets: scan the QR code at the turnstile — carry your original passport as the gate may require it for verification.
Counter pickup: passport required.

How do I pay on 12306?

Alipay, WeChat Pay (recommended for foreign visitors — reliably accepted)
UnionPay debit / credit
Visa / Mastercard at the counter (acceptance varies; use Alipay/WeChat Pay as primary)
RMB cash (counter only)

What seat classes and train types does 12306 offer?

Code	Type	Key seat classes
G	High-speed (350 km/h)	Second class, First class, Business
D	Bullet / intercity (250 km/h)	Second class, First class
Z/T/K	Conventional overnight	Seat, Hard sleeper (6-berth), Soft sleeper (4-berth)

What are 12306’s refund and change rules?

Reissue (换乘): allowed before departure via app / website / counter; normally one reissue per ticket.

Refund fees for G/D high-speed trains (per 12306 official refund policy):

Time before departure	Refund fee
≥ 48 hours	0% (full refund)
24 – 48 hours	5%
2 – 24 hours	10%
15 min – 2 hours	20%
< 15 minutes, or after departure	No refund

Regular-speed K/T/Z trains follow different rules — verify at 12306.cn for your specific train type.

What are the alternatives to 12306 for foreigners?

Trip.com and Klook offer English-language 12306 booking with customer support — useful if 12306’s registration or payment step proves problematic. Both charge a service fee on top of the face-value ticket price. Book directly on 12306 to avoid this markup; the 12306 app and website have English support and are the recommended path for most visitors. (Source: Reddit r/travelchina, 2026-05-08)

Practical Tips for Foreigners

Passport format rejection: 12306 sometimes rejects foreign passport numbers during registration or booking. Common fix: ensure you enter the passport number exactly as printed (no spaces, all caps). If it still fails after multiple attempts, use Trip.com instead (~¥50 service fee per ticket, same train inventory, full English support, foreign cards accepted).
Seat selection limitation: The English version of the 12306 app assigns seats randomly. Seat selection (window/aisle preference) is only available in the Chinese-language version. Trip.com allows seat preference indication.
Morning trains are often cheaper than afternoon departures on the same route — book early slots to save money.
Choosing the right station: Major cities have multiple rail stations (e.g., Beijing has Beijing West, Beijing South, Beijing North). Stations can be 30–60 minutes apart — always confirm which station your train departs from and plan transit time accordingly.
On-board amenities: Free hot water dispensers on all trains (bring your own cup or buy one at the station). Snacks and meals are allowed on board. Dining cars available on most G/D trains. Snack carts pass through regularly.
Power banks on trains: No CCC certification required (unlike domestic flights). Allowed as long as capacity is under 100 Wh (27,000 mAh) with clear labeling.
G vs D trains: G trains (高铁) run at 300+ km/h and serve major city pairs. D trains (动车) are slightly slower (~250 km/h) but still fast and comfortable, often with more departure times available.
Phone charging: Power outlets available at seats on most G/D trains (check near the floor or under the armrest).

Service Highlights

Nationwide station coverage with real-time seat availability
E-tickets (QR scan at gate) and paper tickets supported
Major stations (Grade 1 / 2 hub stations) offer staffed baggage storage and lost-and-found
English announcements and signage at major hubs