How to Ride China High-Speed Train (HSR): Guide for Malaysians

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.

Trip.com Chinese trains - choose the right type of seat

How to choose your seat:

1. Once you've selected your train, click on "Seat Selection" (most of them are available, if available).
2. High-speed trains: Select aisle/window preferences. The exact seats are random.
3. 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.

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*Prices are estimated and may vary depending on season, ticket availability and ticket type. All prices are in RMB.