How to Take Trains/High-Speed Rail in China? Save 3% on Trip.com train tickets with a promo code! This guide explains how to book with a foreign passport, pick seats, and cancel tickets—so your travels in China are smooth and fuss-free. 😀
How foreigners book Trip.com China high-speed rail
If you need to book train tickets in China but don't know how to do it, don't worry – Trip.com platform is very simple! Here's how:
Step 1: Enter your trip
- Go to Trip.com (site or app).
- Enter your departure city (e.g., “Beijing”) and destination (e.g., “Shanghai”).
- Choose your travel date. Pro tip: Sales usually open 15 days in advance—for peak periods (Chinese New Year, Golden Week), book as early as possible.
Step 2: Pick your train & seat class
- G trains = fastest (300+ km/h).
- D trains = slightly slower (200–250 km/h).
- Z/T/K trains = slower but cheaper (hard/soft sleeper options).
Seat classes:
- Second Class – cheapest; good for budget or short trips.
- First Class – wider seats, quieter cabin, more comfort; priced above Second Class.
- Business Class – top tier, most expensive; extra privacy, some routes have lie-flat seats; ideal for long or business trips.
Step 3: Enter passenger details
- Full name (exactly as per passport).
- Passport number (double-check!).
- Email and phone (for e-ticket confirmation).
Step 4: Choose your seat (where available)
- Window (A/F) = best views.
- Aisle (C/D) = easy access to toilet.
- Middle (B) = avoid if you can; it’s cramped with passengers on both sides.
Step 5: Pay & get your ticket
- Payments: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Alipay, WeChat Pay.
- E-ticket: No need to collect at station—just scan your passport at the gates.
Quick tips for buying train tickets：
- ✅ Book early – popular routes sell out fast.
- ✅ Arrive 1 hour earlier for security checks.
- ✅ Download your e-ticket (screenshot in case Wi-Fi is spotty).
- ✅ Bring your passport—you’ll need it to board.
384349 ditempah
Trip.com Chinese trains - choose the right type of seat
How to choose your seat:
- Once you've selected your train, click on "Seat Selection" (most of them are available, if available).
- High-speed trains: Select aisle/window preferences. The exact seats are random.
- Sleeper: Book in advance (15-day window) to secure a lower bunk.
Trip.com China high-speed train train seat (G/D).
2nd class (cheap but crowded)
- Seating arrangement: 5 seats per row (3+2), decent legroom, power outlets.
- Best for: Excursions (<4 hours), solo travelers, budget-conscious people.
- Avoid if: You're over 5'9" tall or hate the spontaneous snooker.
First class (worth it.)
- What you will get: 4 seats per row (2+2), wider seats, quieter cabin.
- Best for: 4+ hours of travel, workaholics who need laptop space.
- Pro tip: Grab F (window) or D (aisle) seats for maximum comfort.
Business Class (Superlative)
- You can enjoy: 3 seats per row (1+2), flat seats on some routes, complimentary snacks.
- Best for: Beijing-Shanghai (4.5 hours), treat yourself or jet lag recovery.
Trip.com China Ordinary Train Train Seat (Z/T/K)
Hard seat (short distance, cheaper)
- Facilities: Benches, zero privacy, crowding.
- Best for: Passengers on a budget or short trips
- Cons: There is no air conditioning on some old trains. Summer = a feast of sweat.
Hard sleeper (overnight, with budget)
- Facilities: Open bunk beds (6 per car), no doors, shared sockets.
- Best for: Overnight trips with the ability to sleep anywhere.
- Prefer the lower berth: because the upper berth = inconvenient to go up and down, the height is very low, and it is impossible to sit upright. Middle = depressed atmosphere, less space.
Soft sleeper (overnight, comfortable)
- Amenities: 4-story cabin with doors, bedding and privacy.
- Best for: 12-hour+ journeys, light sleepers, or passengers who need privacy.
How to cancel a Chinese train ticket on Trip.com
Let's take a look at the cancellation rules for Trip.com – because sometimes plans change, and if you have to cancel or change your booking, you can see how much you can lose.
Step 1: Find your booking
- Open the Trip.com app→ tap on "Trains" → go to "My Bookings".
Step 2: Select the train you want to cancel
- Tap the reservation you want to cancel. Check the departure time carefully – choosing the wrong one may result in a fee deduction.
- Warning: If your train has already departed, then your train ticket cannot be canceled.
Step 3: Click "Refund" and prepare to pay the fee
- Click the "Refund" button.
- Trip.com will show the refundable amount minus the service fee (usually 3-5%).
- Example: Cancellation of a $500 ticket 2 days in advance will get you a refund of ~$475.
Step 4: Upload your ID
- You will need to upload a front/back photo of your passport (yes, even if it is an e-ticket).
- Chinese railways need to be verified. Blurry photos can cause delays in ticket purchases.
Step 5: Confirm and wait for the refund
- Review the refund details → click "Confirm".
- Refunds will arrive at your bank/PayPal within 7-15 days (international cards take longer).
Refund Fees:
- > 8 days before departure: Full refund.
- 48 hours to 15 days: 5% of the fee (~$25 will be charged for a $500 ticket Trip.com).
- 24-48 hours: 10% of the fee ($50 deducted).
- < 24 hours: 20% of the fee (100 yuan fine!) ）。
Frequently asked questions?
- "Refund Pending": If your train departs within <24 hours, cancellations may fail.
- Wrong ID uploaded: They will notify you via email to resubmit. Need to resubmit as soon as possible.
- Partial refund: Cancel 1 ticket in a group booking? Each ticket is subject to a fee.
Why choose to book high-speed trains on Trip.com?
- Multilingual support (eliminating language barriers).
- Accepts foreign cards (unlike other sites).
- No need to queue at the station (a huge time saver).
Trip.com China Train vs 12306 - Which is better for foreigners?
Booking trains in China with Trip.com is suitable for everyone (recommended), if you are fluent in your Chinese and have a local bank account, you can try 12306.
Iterms | Trip.com | 12306 (Official Website) |
language | Full English support | Chinese only (translation tool required) |
Foreign card | Accept Visa、Mastercard、PayPal and so on | Chinese bank account/Alipay required |
E-tickets | Automatic issuance (boarding with passport) | Paper tickets must be collected at the station |
expenses | ~3% service charge + card handling fee/ But discounts are often available, so it's actually cheaper | There are no fees |
customer support | 24/7 English chat/email | Mandarin hotline |
Best for: | Foreigners, first-time visitors to China, and people who are afraid of trouble | Locals or Mandarin speakers on a budget |
🔥[8% Off] China Hotel Recommendations
After booking the train tickets to China, don't forget to find an affordable hotel or other accommodation. Use the following coupon to enjoy an 8% discount when booking hotels in China on Trip.com.
5% OFF】China’s Must-Visit Attractions
Check out some of China’s must-see spots! 👀
FAQ about How to Ride China High-Speed Train
Do Malaysians need a passport to board China HSR?
Yes—use your passport to buy and board with e-ticket.When do tickets open?
Typically 15 days before departure; book earlier for CNY & Golden Week.Which seat is best?
First Class for comfort; Second Class for value; Business for lie-flat on some routes.Can I cancel my ticket?
Yes; fees scale from 0–20% depending on how close to departure.