How Foreigners Buy China High-Speed Train Tickets: 12306 Passport Registration & Verification, Payment, Ticket Collection & Station Entry

As of November 2026, the process for foreigners buying Chinese high-speed rail tickets is: register with your passport on the English version of the China Railway 12306 website or app, complete identity verification online, then pay with a domestic or international bank card, Alipay, or WeChat. Tickets are real-name e-tickets, so there's no need to pick up a paper ticket. On the day of travel, just bring the original passport used for booking and enter through the automatic gates or manual lanes.

For readers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and overseas traveling to East China, intercity travel mostly relies on high-speed rail: trains between Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing run frequently with plenty of stations. Below, we walk through each step—registration, verification, booking, station entry, changes, and refunds—and explain where you might get stuck. The rules are based on the 2026 official guide co-authored by China State Railway Group and the regulations published on 12306, verified as of November 10, 2026. Always check the current 12306 pages for the latest details.

First things first: your passport is your ticket

China Railway fully rolled out e-tickets several years ago. The ID number you provide when booking is your boarding pass—there's no paper ticket to "pick up" in the system. The advice in many older travel guides to "collect your ticket at the window after arriving at the station" no longer applies.

For foreign travelers, this means two things: first, bring the same passport you used to book your ticket when you board, and if you get a new passport, update your ID information on 12306 first; second, each family member traveling with you must book using their own ID—you can't buy multiple tickets with one passport.

The official guidelines list the IDs foreign travelers can use to buy tickets: on the English version of the 12306 website, app, and booking hotline, you can use a foreign passport or a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. At station ticket windows, you can also use a Foreigner Entry-Exit Permit, seaman's certificate, passport loss report, and other documents. Station ticket machines currently only accept the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, so passport holders should use the app or a ticket window.

Step 1: Register on the English version of 12306

The official website is 12306.cn/en. On your phone, download the "Railway 12306" app and switch to the English interface in settings. When registering on the English version, just enter an email address—a Chinese phone number isn't required. There are three places where mistakes happen most often when filling out your details:

Name: It must match the machine-readable zone of your passport exactly. Follow your passport's order for surname and given name, and don't leave out your middle name.

Nationality and ID number: Select the correct country and double-check every letter and digit in your number.

Date of birth and gender: These must match your passport, as the system checks them against immigration records.

Step 2: Online identity verification

Since November 2023, the railway authorities have offered online verification for foreign passports. There are now two options: enter your name, nationality and passport number for automatic system verification, or upload a photo of your passport's information page for manual review by staff. Manual verification takes time, so it's best to complete it a few days before your trip rather than on the day you plan to buy tickets.

If online verification keeps failing, you can bring your passport to the ticket window at any train station after arriving in China. Major stations like Shanghai Hongqiao Station, Hangzhou East Station and Nanjing South Station all have dedicated windows. Until verification is complete, your account cannot buy tickets or add other passengers.

When traveling with family, once the main account is verified, you can add family members under "Passengers." Each passenger must also complete verification. Children's tickets are based on age: children under 6 who don't occupy a separate seat travel free (one per adult), but you must declare them using their own ID when booking or before boarding; ages 6 to 14 require a child ticket; 14 and older need a full-fare ticket. Age is determined by the departure date.

Step 3: Search trains, choose seats and pay

Enter your departure city, destination city and travel date on the app's home screen to search. Cities in East China often have multiple stations, so it's best to select the city directly when searching—the system will list all stations together. Shanghai has Hongqiao Station, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South Station and others; most high-speed trains to Hangzhou, Nanjing and Suzhou depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Station. In Hangzhou, most high-speed trains stop at Hangzhou East Station; in Nanjing, they mainly stop at Nanjing South Station; Suzhou has Suzhou Station, Suzhou North Station and more. Double-check the station name before booking and compare it with the locations of your hotel and attractions.

Seats generally come in second class, first class and business class. Second class has five seats per row, with A and F by the window; first class has four seats per row and is more spacious; business class seats are limited and ideal for long trips or traveling with elderly companions. The seat selection feature tries to match your preferences, but success isn't guaranteed.

For payment, follow the official guidelines: on the 12306 English website and app, you can use domestic and international bank cards as well as mobile payment apps; at station ticket windows, you can pay with domestic or international bank cards, CNY cash, or mobile payment. International credit card payments online are occasionally blocked by the issuing bank, so keep Alipay or WeChat linked to a foreign card as a backup. For instructions on linking cards, see How to use Alipay and WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank card.

Tickets generally go on sale 15 days in advance; for holidays, check 12306 announcements. Popular trains around Spring Festival, National Day, Qingming Festival, and Labor Day sell out fast, so buy them on the day sales open or join the waitlist using the Chinese version of the app. You can also book through platforms like Trip.com's international version—you'll still get a real-name e-ticket, but the platform charges a service fee. Railway authorities remind travelers that 12306 is the only official online ticketing platform, with no extra fees for speed-up packages or seat selection.

Don't want to use the app? Buy tickets at the station window

If you'd rather not deal with your phone, you can buy tickets directly at the station ticket window—another method listed in the official guidelines. The window handles both ID verification and ticket purchase, and you can pay with CNY cash, domestic or international bank cards, or mobile payment. Major stations usually have multiple windows; when lining up, look out for dedicated "ticket change" or "refund" windows so you don't queue in the wrong one.

The easiest approach is to write down the train details on paper or in your phone's notes: date, departure station, arrival station, train number, seat class, and number of passengers. Hand this along with all passengers' passports to the clerk. Ticket clerks at major stations usually speak basic English, and writing it down avoids misheard station names. You'll receive a ticket information slip printed with the train and seat numbers for your reference, but you still use your passport to enter the station.

The downside of ticket windows is queuing during peak hours—possibly 20 to 30 minutes during holidays—and if a train is sold out, it's simply unavailable. If your itinerary is set, we recommend buying tickets in the app before departure so you only need to pass through the gates once you arrive at the station.

Step 4: Arrive at the station, security check, and ticket gate

We recommend arriving at the station 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure, and even earlier during holidays or at major stations like Shanghai Hongqiao. The boarding process is: ID check and security screening at the entrance, then find your train's gate on the big screens in the waiting hall. Ticket checks usually start about 10 minutes before departure and stop a few minutes before the train leaves—follow the station announcements.

At the gate, passengers with Chinese ID cards scan them at the self-service turnstiles. Whether foreign passports work at these turnstiles varies by station; most of the time you'll need to use the manual lane staffed by an attendant, show your passport, and wait for approval. Official guidelines state: "Present the original valid ID used when booking, and enter or exit through automatic gates or staff-assisted lanes." Manual lanes are usually at one end of the turnstiles—if you see other foreign travelers or people holding passports lining up, just follow them.

When exiting, you'll also go through a turnstile or manual lane, so keep your passport handy. If transferring to the metro after arrival, in Shanghai you can tap your bank card directly at the gates; in Hangzhou and Nanjing, you can use the Alipay metro QR code.

On board

Find your car and seat number and take your assigned seat. Car numbers are marked on the platform floor and next to the doors. When queuing on the platform, stand near your car number to save yourself a long walk. Store luggage in the oversized baggage racks at either end of the car or in the overhead bins, and keep valuables with you.

During the trip, train staff may check tickets. Just show your passport—your seat information is already in the system. Smoking is prohibited throughout the train, including the aisles between cars and restrooms; violators will be fined. A dining car and carts sell drinks and light meals, and you can pay by scanning a QR code. Announcements will remind you before your stop, so pack up your luggage early and wait near the doors to get off.

Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan travelers: Home Return Permits and MTPs are easier to use

Readers holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Home Return Permit) or a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents can register and book tickets directly on the Chinese version of 12306, following basically the same process as mainland travelers. Both are card-style, machine-readable documents, so at most stations you can swipe them at the self-service gates to enter. If a gate can't read your card, just use the staffed lane.

Hong Kong permanent residents who are not Chinese citizens and hold a foreign passport can apply for a "Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens)." It is valid for 5 years, allows multiple entries, and permits stays of up to 90 days each time. Once issued, use this permit to buy high-speed rail tickets as well.

Changes, refunds and fees

You can change or refund tickets on the English version of the 12306 website or app, or at station ticket windows. Refund fees are tiered by how far in advance you cancel: no fee if you cancel 8 days or more before departure; 5% of the fare if you cancel between 48 hours and 8 days before departure; 10% if between 24 and 48 hours; and 20% if less than 24 hours.

A new convenience starts in 2026: from January 19, 2026, online refunds made within 30 minutes of booking and more than 4 hours before departure are free of charge—handy if you realize you booked the wrong ticket right away. China State Railway Group says this will become standard practice going forward. In addition, the new Regulations on Railway Passenger Transport take effect on June 1, 2026. If connecting tickets are suspended due to force majeure such as natural disasters, you can get a full refund for all legs free of charge under the rules.

Business travelers who need proof of payment can apply for railway e-invoices on 12306. The new transport regulations now formally include e-invoices.

Common pitfalls

Booking the wrong station. Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station are far apart, and Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station aren't in the same place either. A taxi or subway ride between them can take nearly an hour, so double-check before you book.

Expired or renewed passport. If you get a new passport while in China, update your ID on 12306 first. Otherwise, tickets bought with your old passport number won't pass verification.

Leaving too little time. At major stations, getting from security to the platform can take 20–30 minutes when it's crowded. Add in the line at the manual gate, and arriving early is always the safest bet.

Too much luggage. High-speed trains have overhead racks and large-item storage areas at the ends of each car, but space is limited. Families traveling with seniors and multiple big suitcases will struggle getting on and off. For short trips like Shanghai to Hangzhou private car or Shanghai to Nanjing private car, consider a door-to-door transfer straight from one hotel to the next.

Getting from the train station to downtown is easy by metro in every city: Nanjing South Station has direct metro lines to Xinjiekou and the Confucius Temple area; from Hangzhou East Station, the metro takes you to West Lake; Shanghai Hongqiao Station connects to Hongqiao Airport, and the metro runs into downtown. For how to use map apps, see What map apps to use in China.

Related preparation: What to prepare for your first trip to China, SIM cards and eSIMs for travel in China; for more city info, visit the Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing city pages.

FAQs

Can I buy high-speed train tickets with a foreign passport?

Yes. Register on the English version of the 12306 website or app with your foreign passport. Once your identity is verified online, you can book tickets. You can also buy them at the station ticket window with your passport.

Do foreigners need to pick up physical train tickets?

No. High-speed trains use real-name e-tickets, and your passport serves as your boarding pass. On the day of travel, bring the original passport used for booking and enter through the self-service gates or manual lanes.

Do I need a Chinese phone number to register on 12306 as a foreigner?

You can use an email address to register on the English version; a Chinese phone number isn't required. After registering, you must complete identity verification—either automatic system verification or manual verification by uploading a photo of your passport.

Can I pay on 12306 with a foreign credit card?

Official guidelines state that you can pay for online tickets with domestic or international bank cards and mobile payment apps. If your international card is blocked by the issuing bank, try using Alipay or WeChat linked to an overseas card instead.

Bought a ticket but can't make it—how much is the refund fee?

Free cancellation 8 days or more before departure; 5% fee for 48 hours to less than 8 days before departure; 10% for 24 to 48 hours before departure; 20% for less than 24 hours before departure. Refunds are also free if canceled within 30 minutes of purchase and at least 4 hours before departure.