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How to Buy China Train Ticket Online

3 Steps on How to Buy China Train Tickets Online

For more booking ways, see How to Buy China Train Tickets
 

Step 1: Set the Travel Date

Set your departure date. It should be at least half a month later because the pre-sale time of China train tickets is 15 days and agencies usually book tickets for their customers as soon as they are released.

If possible, try not to travel during the peak travelling periods like “Golden Week” of National Day Holiday usually from October 1st to October 7th and Spring Festival Travel Rush around Chinese New Year, because large amount of passengers make it difficult to order a ticket successfully, especially for popular routes.

The pre-sale time of different agencies are different. There is no time limit on TravelChinaGuide (abbr. TCG). Users of our websites can book Chinese train tickets whenever they want; but we recommend you to put an order as early as possible, so we can book it on your behalf at the first time once it is available, just in case the tickets sold out.
 

Step 2: Choose a Reliable Online Booking Channel

This is the easiest way and first choice for overseas passengers to reserve a China train ticket. But you need to carefully choose one from various.

How to choose an online agency?

Passengers can make their decisions by comparing the prices, services and the reviews from previous users.

 Price: Normally, the charges of online agencies consist of ticket prices and service fees, passengers can decide which agency to choose based on their quotation. The price of some well-known agencies is high due to the high service fee. However, price is not the only reference, some agencies offer low price, so do poor service which may ruin your travel.

 Service: The services of online agencies are also different from each other. Some do not reply to their customers promptly; some offer poor or none after-sale service to help customers to travel smoothly; some have very strict ticket change and refund policies…

TCG offers top-notch services to help our customers get a ticket hassle-free, including instant confirmation, 24/7 one-on-one dedicated service, easy cancellation, free reschedule and select seats for free…

 Reviews from previous users: Comments left by previous users can reflect the user experiences and the real service quality. About 3,000+ 5-star reviews about TCG have been left on TripAdvisor from the past users to show and recommend our service.

Step 3: Make a Reservation

It's not difficult to do it step by step. But there are some notes to take:
1. The information of your ID certificate will be needed and the most frequently used is passport.

2. The name and ID certificate number input should be exactly the same with that on your ID certificate. For instance, family name first then middle name and finally given name, just as the order from top to bottom and left to right on your passport. The hyphen or apostrophe needs to be omitted. If the name column is not enough for your name, type in as many characters as you can.
Cases that Chinese Railway Tickets Cannot be Successfully Collected after Booking Online 

3. Besides choosing seat classes like first class seat, second class seat, and soft sleepers, China Railway now also allows passengers to select the seat location on some high speed trains, by aisle or by window, so does TCG. Do not omit this step when booking.
China train ticket types 

4. Make the payment within the required time frame and through accepted payment tools, otherwise the order will turn invalid. TCG accepts Paypal, Western Union, Alipay and WeChat Pay.

 Kind Reminder: After booking the tickets online, passengers can take trains at most railway stations only holding the passport used for the reservation. There are special manual channels for these passengers. There is no need to collect paper tickets anymore.

- Last updated on Oct. 22, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on How to Buy Ticket Online
Asked by yusof from MALAYSIA | Dec. 07, 2023 05:14Reply
Can i bring bicycle on soft sleeper train?
I'm travelling with bicycle and planning to visit China in late July and ride train from Kumming to Urumqi
Answers (1)
Answered by Hailey | Dec. 07, 2023 17:19
00Reply


It is hard to say. Someone has successfully take it but more people are rejected. Anyway, it probably will be rejected and you may consider other transportation ways.
Asked by Alexander from RUSSIA | Nov. 06, 2023 00:43Reply
Needed documents
Hi there, II want to buy ticket Shanghai HongQiao- Lishui (G7337).
I shall enter China with ATES business card and Russian passport.
I have no permanent residency permit.
Can I buy ticket online or at the station ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Nov. 06, 2023 18:58
00Reply


Yes, you can in both ways, but it is more suggested to book online in advance. You may contact TravelChinaGuide directly to book train tickets.
Asked by Fay from SINGAPORE | Nov. 05, 2023 01:20Reply
Is there a highspeed train from Suzhou to Huangshan?
Highspeed morning train preferred from Suzhou to Huangshan on 14 Nov 2023. Two pax.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Nov. 05, 2023 23:10
00Reply


Yes, there are 4 trains departing from Suzhou North to Huangshan North daily and 3 trains depart in the morning. You can contact TravelChinaGuide directly to book the train tickets.
Asked by Mr K C Chua from SINGAPORE | Oct. 20, 2023 03:11Reply
How much time to travel from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou East Station?
We are 4 adults arriving in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport on 14 November 2023 at 12:10 Hrs.
When booking a fast speed train to Shantou Railway Station, what is the safe time we should book
departing from Guangzhou East Station?

Also if we were to miss the train at the booked time, can we travel on the next train?
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Oct. 22, 2023 19:32
00Reply


It only takes about 40 minutes by Metro Line 3 from the airport to the railway station. If there is no delay of your flight, it is safe to book a train journey at about 14:00.

If you missed the train, you have to buy a new ticket for the next train is there is any ticket available.
Asked by SLan from UK | Jul. 19, 2023 03:12Reply
Kunming to Zhangjiajie
I have just realised that there is no direct flight from Kunming to Zhangjiajie in November which is when we are planning to go to Zhangjiajie. I am now looking at trains from Kunming to Huaihua and then train to Zhangjiajie. Is there a flight from Huaihua to Zhangjiajie or is it better to stick to trains? I would like to minimise travelling time but also know that flying is not always quicker if you take in all the process you have to go through at the airport. Would appreciate your advice. Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Pepper | Jul. 19, 2023 20:40
00Reply


There is no flight from Huaihua to Zhangjiajie. The high speed train taking only 1.5 hours or so is the best choice.
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