How to Buy Tickets on 12306
On Website:
1. Choose Departure and Arrival Cities
- In the “From” field, type Shanghai (上海).
- In the “To” field, type Beijing (北京).
- This sets your route from Shanghai to Beijing.
2. Select Your Travel Date
- Click the date box (shown as Thu, Jun 06 in the picture).
- Pick your preferred travel date from the calendar.
3. Filter Your Search (Optional)
- On the left side, you can refine results:
- Train Type: Choose “G/C/D” for high-speed trains or “Other” for conventional trains.
- From Station: Pick “Shanghaihongqiao” or “Shanghai” main station.
- To Station: Pick “Beijingnan” (Beijing South) or other arrival stations.
- Leave boxes unchecked to see all options.
4. Review Train Options
- The main panel lists trains, such as G104 and G102.
- For each train you can see:
- Departure time (e.g., 06:27) and arrival time (e.g., 13:12).
- Total travel time (e.g., 6h45m).
- Departure station (Shanghai Hongqiao) and arrival station (Beijingnan).
5. Check Seat Classes and Prices
- Each train shows seat categories: business-class, first-class, and second-class.
- Prices are listed in Chinese yuan (e.g., ¥1958 for business-class).
- Some seats show discounts and how many tickets remain (e.g., “7 left”).
6. Book Your Ticket
- Click the “Book” button beside the seat class you want.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to log in, confirm passenger details, and make payment.
On App:
tep 1: Search for Your Preferred Train
- Enter your departure city, destination, and travel date, then click “Search.”
- A list of available high-speed (bullet) trains will appear. Review the departure times, travel duration, and prices.
- Choose the train that suits your schedule and click “Book.”
Step 2: Add Passenger Details
- Your own information, provided during account registration, is automatically saved under “My Passenger.”
- To buy tickets for friends or family, add their details in advance:
Important Notes: - Go to “My 12306” → “My Passenger.”
- Click “Add New Passenger.”
- Enter their full name (as on passport), ID or passport number, and a valid mobile number.
- Each account can store up to 15 passengers, but only 5 passengers with “To Be Verified” status are allowed at any time.
- Passengers must pass real-name verification.
- Email addresses and mobile numbers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan are accepted as contact methods.
- Up to 5 passengers may share the same mobile number.
Step 3: Confirm Ticket Information
- Under “Passenger Information,” tick the box for each traveller.
- Choose the ticket type (e.g., adult or child) and seat class (Business, First, or Second).
- Double-check the departure time, seat class, and passenger details before submitting your order.
Tips for Malaysian Travellers:- Each passenger can purchase only one ticket for the same train on the same day.
- You may buy a maximum of 5 one-way tickets or 5 sets of return tickets per order.
- Seats are assigned randomly by the system; specific seat selection is not guaranteed.
Step 4: Make Payment
- After order submission, you’ll be redirected to the payment page.
- Review all ticket details carefully, then click “Pay.”
- For Malaysians, choose “International Card” to pay with Visa or Mastercard, or select “China UnionPay” if you have a UnionPay card.
Step 5: Complete the Transaction
- Once payment is successful, click “Payment Completed.”
- You’ll see a “Transaction Completed” confirmation page.
- Your e-ticket is now linked to the passport you used for booking—simply scan your passport at the station gate on the day of travel.
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12306 Ticket Refund Guide
Source: MTR
If your travel plans change, you can request a refund online through the 12306 website or mobile app, or in person at any China Railway ticket counter. The refund amount depends on how early you cancel before the scheduled departure.
Refund Fees by Cancellation Time
| Time Before Departure | Refund Fee |
|---|
More than 8 days | No fee (full refund) |
48 hours – 15 days | 5% of ticket price |
24 – 48 hours | 10% of ticket price |
Less than 24 hours | 20% of ticket price |
Refund Deadlines
- Mainland China Departures: Refund or change must be completed at least 30 minutes before departure.
- Hong Kong West Kowloon Departures: Refund or change must be completed at least 45 minutes before departure.
- After Train Departure: Refunds are not available once the train has left.
How to Apply for a Refund
- Online (Recommended):
- Log in to your 12306 account via the website or app.
- Go to “My Orders” and select the ticket you wish to cancel.
- Click “Refund” and confirm. The system will show the refund amount after fees.
- At a Railway Station Counter:
- Bring your passport and the original payment card (if used) to any station ticket window.
- Request a refund from the staff.
Tips for Travellers:
- Refunds are credited back to the original payment method (e.g., international credit card or Alipay/WeChat Pay).
- Processing times for international cards may take a few days.
- Cancel as early as possible to avoid higher fees and to free up seats for other passengers.
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Trip.com vs. 12306 – Which is Better for Travellers?
When booking train tickets in China, both Trip.com and 12306 are widely used. However, for Malaysian travellers who value convenience, language support, and flexible payment methods, Trip.com often comes out on top.
Booking Method | Details |
|---|
Trip.com | - A well-known international travel platform trusted by millions of global travellers, including Malaysians. - Provides 24/7 customer service in English and multiple languages, so you’ll always have help whenever you need it. - Extremely user-friendly interface with simple steps—ideal if you don’t read Chinese. - Accepts a wide range of international payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. - Offers flexibility so you can book train tickets alongside hotels, flights, and tours in a single app. - Sends clear email confirmations and reminder, reducing the chance of mistakes when travelling. - Provides a smooth booking process without the technical barriers often faced on official sites. |
12306 (Official Platform) | - Official system of China Railway, offering the lowest ticket prices with no third-party fees. - Has an English version, but it’s still not as polished or beginner-friendly as Trip.com. - Requires full account registration with passport details, which can feel complicated for first-time users. - Customer service is limited to Chinese and only during office hours. - Payment options support international cards, but sometimes foreign cards may face issues being accepted.- Best for travellers who are experienced and want to save a few extra ringgit by avoiding service fees. |
💡 Tip for Malaysians: If it’s your first time travelling in China, or if you want peace of mind with customer service always available, Trip.com is the safer and more convenient choice.Important Website for Foreign Visitors in China
Source: City News Service
The 12367 is an official immigration service hotline and support platform run by the NIA. It was launched in April 2021 as a “one-stop customer service center” for both Chinese and foreign nationals dealing with immigration and entry/exit issues. The 12367 Immigration Service Hotline is China’s official 24/7 support line operated by the National Immigration Administration, offering reliable assistance to both foreign visitors and residents. Launched as a one-stop immigration service center, it provides guidance on visas, residence permits, entry and exit procedures, passport matters, and other administrative requirements. The hotline is available by phone, online platform, mobile app, and mini-programs, making it easy for users to get help anytime and from anywhere. It also offers multilingual support including English, Russian, Japanese, and Korean allowing foreigners to receive information in their preferred language. Since its launch, 12367 has handled millions of inquiries from travellers around the world and maintains a high satisfaction rate, making it one of the most important and dependable resources for navigating immigration procedures in China.
In addition to transportation services, the National Integrated Online Government Service Platform provides vital support for foreign nationals. Operated by the National Immigration Administration, it features a dedicated Foreigner Service section where visitors can request appointments, track application progress, and verify identification details. The platform also offers 24/7 online consultation, allowing users to submit inquiries or provide feedback at any time, supported by the official 12367 hotline. Travellers can access a wide range of services, including checking visa information, reviewing residence or stay permit details, managing appointment times, and obtaining information related to the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. It also supports passport-related matters for foreigners who hold China’s permanent resident identification cards.
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