Still have no idea where to begin when buying a train ticket? Relax — just keep these four key points in mind, and you can buy tickets with ease. Always use China Railway's only official ticketing platforms: the 12306 website or its mobile app.
ID Documents Accepted for Ticket Purchases
The types of valid identity documents accepted vary depending on the ticket purchase channel.
1. Online/Phone Channels:
The 12306 website, "Railway 12306" app, and the booking hotline
Accepted ID documents:
-Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
-Foreign passport
2. In-Person Channels:
Railway stations' ticketing counters, authorized ticket agencies, on-train ticket purchases, and supplementary/replacement ticket purchases
Accepted ID documents:
-Medical Certificate of Birth
-Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
-Foreign passport
-Exit and Entry Permit (for foreigners)
-Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Receipt, or Confirmation of Reporting the Loss of Passport issued by a public security authority
-Temporary international travel documents issued by a foreign embassy/consulate in China (which must be accompanied by a valid visa or stay permit issued by a public security authority)
3. Purchases via Automatic Ticket Vending Machines:
Accepted ID documents:
-Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
-Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
-Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
How to Check Release Times of Tickets
Want to know when tickets go on sale? You can use the "Railway 12306" app:
1. Select your departure date on the booking page.
2. After selecting the date, the exact release time will appear at the bottom of the interface.
3. Tap "Set Reminder" (设置提醒) to add a ticket-sale alert to your phone calendar.
Ticket Changes
A ticket can be changed for boarding another train only once (subject to seat availability).
Change fees are calculated based on the lower ticket prices involved in the changes.
Ticket Refunds
If your travel plan is changed, you need to apply for the refund before the corresponding train departs. Refunds are not available for:
- Any ticket after the train's departure time
- Any ticket changed after departure
- Any additional surcharge
-Any supplementary ticket or replacement ticket purchased on the train (except for the replacements due to a lost ID document used for purchasing the ticket)
Refund fees are calculated as follows:
Notice: If a ticket is changed or the destination is altered and the new travel date falls within the Spring Festival travel period, a 20-percent refund fee applies based on the ticket price.
(Source: Railway 12306)
