Quick answer
How to book China train tickets as a foreigner
Book on the official 12306 English site or app — register with your passport, pay with a foreign card, then board by scanning your passport at the gate. No paper ticket needed at most high-speed stations.
Fact-checked 2026-09-16
- 1Register on 12306's English site or app with 'Foreign Passport' as your ID type; upload a passport photo for verification (takes a few hours to a day — do this before you need tickets).
- 2Search and book — tickets go on sale about 15 days before departure; popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai, Chengdu–Xi'an) sell out around holidays.
- 3Pay in the app with a foreign Visa/Mastercard, or Alipay/WeChat Pay.
- 4Board by scanning your passport at the station gate — most G/D (high-speed) stations read passports directly, no paper ticket needed.
- 5Want a paper souvenir? Ticket counters and kiosks print one free with your original passport (copies not accepted).
| 12306 official | Trip.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | None | Small service fee |
| English app | Yes | Yes (simpler UX) |
| Foreign cards | Visa/Mastercard | Visa/Mastercard |
| Verification | Passport photo upload, self-service | Handled for you |
At the station
Gates have a manual channel next to the machines — staff there handle passports that the readers don't accept. Arrive 30–40 minutes early either way: security takes time at big stations.
Go deeper
Primary sources
- China Railway 12306 — official English site & FAQ
- Verified against traveler reports (r/travelchina, r/chinalife), Sep 2026