12306 China Railway Guide: How to Book & Best Alternatives (2026)

What is 12306?

12306 China Railway is the official website for train ticket booking, which is named after the phone number of China Railway customer service. It serves as the most widely used method for both domestic and foreign travellers to book tickets for trains operating within China.

12306 offers access to a wide range of train services, including high speed trains, regular trains, and sleeper trains. You can check train schedules, seat availability, ticket fares and boarding information on it.

Booking train tickets for foreigners through Trip.com vs. 12306

Source: Wikipedia

When it comes to booking train tickets in China, travellers often use either Trip.com or 12306. What are the differences? Find the table below comparing Trip.com and 12306.

Should you use 12306 or Trip.com?

Both are reliable options for booking China train tickets. 12306 is the official railway platform and is a good choice if you’re comfortable with its booking process and have a supported payment method. Trip.com can be more convenient for international travellers, especially if you prefer an easier English-language experience and more flexible payment options.

Overview of China railway system

The China railway system is one of the most extensive and advanced in the world, with a vast network covering both high-speed and normal trains.

China high-speed train

The two primary types of high speed trains in China are the CRH (China Railway High-speed) trains and the D (D-series) trains. Here’s a brief comparison of the two.

China normal train

In addition to high-speed trains, China's normal trains also cover a vast distance, including urban and rural areas.

Except for Z, T, and K, there are also several other types of general fast trains such as

• L Trains: Temporary trains operated during peak travel seasons or holidays.
• Y Trains: Tourist trains offering scenic routes and specialised services.
• S Trains: Intercity express trains connecting major cities in a shorter time.

All the different trains have different seat classes, including second class, first class, business class, sleeper class, etc. You can select your seats based on your preference and budget.

😊After learning the general information about China railway system, let’s explore how 12306 operates for booking train tickets.

How to book China train tickets on 12306 for foreigners?

Register 12306

Setting up an account on 12306 website:

Step 1: Visit the 12306 website and switch the language to English. You can click on the right upper corner to switch the language.

Step 2: Click on “Register” and fill out the required information, including your nationality and passport details.

Step 3: Verify your email address to activate your account.

Setting up an account on 12306 App:

Step 1: Download the 12306 App. You can go to Google Play or the Apple App Store, search for “12306” and download the App.

Step 2: If the App opens in Chinese, you’ll first need to agree with the terms and conditions by clicking “同意”. Then you can change the language to English. Click “我的”-“设置”-“语言设置”-“English”-“确定”.

Step 3: On the main screen, tap “Me”-“Register” to begin the account creation process. Then enter your personal information including name, gender, ID number (passport number), phone number, password and Email address.

Step 5: Once all fields are filled out and verified. You may receive a confirmation email. Open your email and follow the instructions to verify your email address.

Step 6: Return to the 12306 App login screen. Enter your email/phone number and password. Tap “Log In” to access your new account.

Buy train tickets on 12306

Buy train tickets on 12306 website:

Step 1: Visit the 12306 website and log in to your account. Click on the “Login” button located at the top right corner. Complete the process by entering the necessary information.

Step 2: Enter your departure city, destination city, and travel date in the search fields. Click the “Search” button to view available trains.

Step 3: Browse the list of available trains. Each entry displays the train number, departure and arrival times, seatt classes, and ticket availability. Click on the “Book” next to your chosen train.

Step 4: Fill in the passenger details. Then verify and confirm the booking. Click “Submit” to proceed to payment.

Step 5: Select your preferred seat class (e.g., second class, first class, business class). Choose your seat preference (e.g., window, aisle).

Step 6: Make payment and receive booking confirmation. You can check your ticket status under the “Order”.

Buy train tickets on 12306 App:

Step 1: Open the 12306 App and log in to your account.

Step 2: Search for trains by entering your departure city, destination city, and travel date. Tap the “Search” button to view available trains.

Step 3: Scroll through the list of available trains and tap on your chosen train. View the train details and available seats. Then click "Book".

Step 4: Tap “Add New Passenger” and fill in the passenger details. Review your booking details to ensure all information is correct.

Step 5: Choose your seat and class (e.g., second class, first class, business class). Choose your seat preference (e.g., window, aisle).

Step 6: Complete the payment process as instructed. Once the payment is successful, you will receive a booking confirmation with your ticket details. You can check your ticket status under the “Order”.

12306 Refund policy

Here is the summary of the ticket refund policy for 12306:

How to book China train tickets on Trip.com?

Trip.com offers an alternative to booking directly through 12306, with several advantages that can enhance your booking experience.

Advantages of using Trip.com to book China speed train

• Multilingual support: Trip.com offers multiple languages, covering over 20 countries.
• Convenient payment: Trip.com supports various payment methods such as credit cards and PayPal.
• Customer support: Trip.com provides 24/7 assistance in multiple languages. Live chat and hotline help you solve most of the problems.
• Flexible policies: Trip.com has flexible policies for modifying or cancelling bookings.
• Exclusive deals: Trip.com offers frequent discounts on train tickets. You can claim for promo code for discounts.

Buy train tickets on Trip.com website:

Step 1: Visit Trip.com. You can click here for train bookings.

Step 2: Enter your travel details such as departure, arrival stations, and travel date. Click “Search” for the trains available.

Step 3: Review the list of available trains, including departure times, durations, seat classes and ticket prices. Select the train that best fits your schedule. Click “ Book” to continue the process.

Step 4: Enter passenger details such as full name, passport number, and contact details. If seat selection is available, pick your preferred seats.

Step 5: Make payment and receive confirmation.

Buy train tickets on Trip.com App:

Step 1: Download Trip.com App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Step 2: Launch the app, and select “Trains”.

Step 3: Enter your departure and arrival cities, and select your travel date from the calendar. Click “Search” to view available trains.

Step 4: Browse the list of available trains, and tap on the train according to the schedule and seat class. Click “Book”.

Step 5: Enter the required information for each passenger, such as full name, passport number, and contact details. You can select your seats here if available.

Step 6: Make payment and receive confirmation.

Available identity card

In China, when purchasing train tickets, the following identification cards are typically accepted:

• Chinese Citizen ID Card (身份证)
• Passport (护照): Foreign travellers and Chinese citizens with passports can use this document for ticket purchases.
• Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (回乡证)
• Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (台胞证)
• People's Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (外国人永久居留身份证): Foreign residents in China who have obtained a permanent residence card can use it as identification.
• Military Officer ID (军官证)

Trip.com train ticket refund policy

If you booked a train ticket but your plans have changed, you can submit a request to change or cancel your ticket. To ensure your request can be processed, please be sure to submit it before your train's departure time within the time period from 08:00 to 20:00 (GMT+8).

If you booked a train ticket with Trip.com and it hasn’t been issued, you can cancel your train ticket on Trip.com. To do so, sign in to Trip.com, go to your account, and then select My Bookings > Trains. Cancel the train ticket booking by selecting the Cancel Booking button.

If you've already picked up your paper train ticket (for reimbursement purposes), you'll need to go to a station ticket window to change the ticket or get a refund.

Trip.com follows the cancellation policies of China Railway. Please note that tickets for trains departing within 25 minutes cannot be cancelled online.

Popular routes of China speed train for foreigners

Take G trains as an example, here are some popular routes of China speed train.

Didn't find your route? Click to book your train tickets now and enjoy a seamless train trip in China!