Tips for Booking Train Tickets in China

[Fu Lai]

http://news.echinacities.com/detail/8237-Hot-Commodities-Tips-for-Booking-Train-Tickets-in-China

 

Let's face it: buying train tickets in China can be a big, migraine-inducing pain in the butt;

thanks to the "ingenious" policy of giving everyone in the country
simultaneous vacations, travelling during a national holiday means that
you're literally competing with hundreds of millions of others for that
tiny, pink piece of paper they call a train ticket. But securing your
spot on a train doesn't necessarily mean camping outside a travel agency
until the first batch of pre-sale tickets go on sale (usually 10-20
days before), or trying to suppress a bout of rage as every second
person cuts you in line at the train station's ticket window. With a bit
of tact, know-how and planning, your train ticket may just be a few
clicks or phone calls away.

http://news.echinacities.com/userfiles/2012-Year/8-Month/29-Day/image001-.jpg

Photo: windhorsetour.com

Different methods of buying train tickets

There are four official ways to buy train tickets in China: online,
via telephone, at a train station or through a travel agent. Let's take a
look at each method in more detail:

1) Online bookings

There's only one website you need to know about for purchasing tickets online via legal channels: www.12306.cn.
This is literally China's only official train ticket selling website;
all others are not officially recognized and pose risks. However, the
immediately apparent drawback with using this site as a foreigner is
that no English version is available.

Not only is this site good for bookings, but it also includes useful
information about timetables, number of tickets still available, info
about delays etc.

1. Step one is registering an account with the site, acquiring a
   username and entering your passport number (don't worry, ID numbers are
   required for just about everything these days in China). Once you've
   completed this step, you can browse and complete your online purchase by
   following the prompts. A real-name system is in place for all purchases
   through this website, regardless of whether you buy bullet, high-speed
   or regular train tickets and only one train ticket can be bought per
   trip per ID. However, additional children's tickets can be bought for
   the same trip using the same account name and ID.
2. Ticket buying period: tickets can be bought from 07:00-23:00 any
   day of the week, and usually become available for purchase 20 days
   prior to departure. However, this frequently changes especially around
   major national holidays such as Spring Festival and there are also
   variations from station to station and city to city. To avoid
   disappointment, make sure to check out the pre-sale info here
   (ask your Chinese-speaking friend to help you if you can't read
   Chinese). Another thing to keep in mind is that tickets must be bought
   at least two hours before departure.
3. Getting the ticket: once you've bought the ticket online you can
   go to any ticket agency or train station ticket window with your
   passport to pick up the ticket. Apart from train stations, all other
   ticket outlets will charge a 5 RMB fee when collecting the ticket.

2) Telephone bookings

This option is only available to those who can speak fluent Chinese, as
there are currently no English services offered by official ticket
booking hotlines. The number to call – regardless of which city you're
located in – is 9510 5105.

In Beijing, one person can purchase five seated tickets (but five
different valid ID numbers are required) and three sleeper tickets
(quoting three different valid ID numbers). In Shanghai and Guangzhou, a
maximum of three tickets can be purchased per person (three different
valid ID numbers), regardless of ticket type. In addition, Guangzhou has
a rule that if you book a ticket but don't pick it up or cancel it, you
will be barred from using the same ID number to book tickets in the
future.

1. Before booking tickets via this hotline, make sure to have your
   ID number, name of departure city and destination ready. Follow the
   automated prompts to book your ticket. Once you've input all the
   relevant info, you should get an automated message sent to your phone
   with an order number. You must show this number, together with your
   passport, when picking up the ticket.
2. Advance bookings: Tickets can be booked 4-20 days before
   departure, but as mentioned earlier, exact pre-sale booking periods
   vary. Call 12306 to check the pre-sale booking period.
3. Collecting tickets: As of January 1, those who book by telephone
   can pick up their tickets from any ticket office or train station in
   China. In addition, they will have an extra 12 hours to pick up their
   train tickets. Specifically, if you book before noon, you will have
   until noon the next day to pick up your tickets, while if you book after
   noon, you will have until midnight the next day to pick up your
   tickets. Also, as of January 4, the pre-sale period for online and
   telephone train ticket purchases been extended to 20 days, with a new
   batch of tickets being made available for purchase every hour from
   08:00-18:00 (excluding 14:00). Please note that faster D train (动车)
   tickets will be available for purchase everyday starting at 11:00.To
   collect the ticket, simply go to the train station or ticket agency and
   present your passport and order number. An additional 5 RMB fee is
   charged at all travel agencies.

3) Train stations

Train tickets can be bought at stations ten days in advance. All tickets
bought at train stations require valid ID, regardless of the train type
(high-speed, bullet, regular). Usually, tickets are available for
purchase right until the train's due departure, but obviously tickets
are subject to availability.

4) Travel agencies

Tickets can be bought through various types of travel agents:
specialised train and plane booking agencies, hotels and guest houses.
While most large hotels can arrange tickets for you, this option is more
expensive, as they usually charge very high service fees for each
booking. Regular travel agencies sell tickets up to ten days in advance
(subject to change). These agencies are scattered throughout most
cities, and are a popular and convenient booking method. To secure a
ticket, just bring your passport with you; a modest 5 RMB service charge
will be added per ticket. However, expect long queues outside these
agencies around national holidays. The earlier you go stand in line, the
higher your chances of getting a ticket.

Other useful tips:

1. While www.12306.cn
   is the only official website for booking tickets, you can check other
   sites too for price and timetable info. Some reliable reference sites
   include http://train.qunar.com/ or http://lieche.58.com.
2. Nationwide booking hotline is 9510 5105, but the customer service hotline number is 12306. Email inquiries can be sent to kyfw@12306.cn
3. It goes without saying that buying a ticket from a non-official
   channel is a huge risk and scams are very common. Don't buy a ticket
   from a scalper at a train station no matter how tempting the option
   seems.

 

[Doug]

I'll add that one can get a CARD passport along with the passport book here in the USA. You can't use the card from country to country, and it has a different number, but the Chinese teller doesnt care. Since I live in the USA and her in China, I left the card with her to be able to buy plane or train tickets as needed before I arrive to see her. Makes life easier.

[Randy W]

I'll add that one can get a CARD passport along with the passport book here in the USA. You can't use the card from country to country, and it has a different number, but the Chinese teller doesnt care. Since I live in the USA and her in China, I left the card with her to be able to buy plane or train tickets as needed before I arrive to see her. Makes life easier.

 

 

Do you mean the little passport card?

 

http://travel.state.gov/images/updatepptcard.jpg

[Fu Lai]

Those passport cards work in China? My girl just puts in my regular passport number and as usual, I show my passport when boarding.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Fu Lai (see edit history)

[Guest ExChinaExpat]

It's not difficult to get train tickets in China. I posted the link in another thread where you can check the schedules. If you have an American passport, you cannot use it on the machines. By far, the easiest way is to ask a Chinese person to assist your booking and have your tickets delivered to your location. The fees are generally small for delivery and run about 10 RMB.

 

If you checked online and know your train number and city, you can go to the train station or outlet to get your ticket. Again, don't make the mistake of booking online if you only have a passport. The machines at the train station are not yet capable of reading the passport. You can give your passport number to a booking agent and have the ticket delivered, or you can go to the station yourself to get it.

 

Book tickets in advance if you can, especially this time of year.

[Fu Lai]

If you don't speak or read Chinese it can be hell getting tickets. Besides the links given in the first post I use http://www.chinatrainguide.com/ as a guide. But I always have a Chinese person do the booking for me because I have little language ability and once you get into having to pick another train/time because of availability you really need to see it in English. Getting tickets is not difficult but getting the tickets you want can be.

[Guest ExChinaExpat]

If you don't speak or read Chinese it can be hell getting tickets. Besides the links given in the first post I use http://www.chinatrainguide.com/ as a guide. But I always have a Chinese person do the booking for me because I have little language ability and once you get into having to pick another train/time because of availability you really need to see it in English. Getting tickets is not difficult but getting the tickets you want can be.

 

 

I think the difficulty in getting a train ticket in China is more the intimidation factor than anything else. First, you're going to stand in a long line with a lot of impatient Chinese people who are also waiting. I am far from fluent in Chinese, but I know to take my passport with me.

 

All one need do is go online and find the train number they want to take, the date, departure time, and destination. Write it on a piece of paper, in pinyin: for example:

 

Train #: G-7371

25/02/2013

Nanjing Nan Zhan > Shanghai Hongqiao

 

When you present the paper, also hand them your passport. The clerk will present the computer screen to you, which is not difficult to read. It shows the train numbers and available times. Hand them the cash, and you get the ticket and any change.

 

After you do it once, you will feel a lot more confident and realize that it's not at all difficult.

[Fu Lai]

Yes, of course then you have many places that don't let you look at the screen to see availability, they just shake their head no at the info you wrote down. My plight twice. Not being able to communicate with them is my fault but it ended with me being out of luck. So in comes the Chinese friend and BINGO they are able to ask all the questions to make it work. Online it is rather easy except it is all in Chinese. Bottom line it is not tough at all and their train system is good but knowing some Chinese or having a friend/helper is a big asset especially when your first choice is a no-go.

 

If you don't speak or read Chinese it can be hell getting tickets. Besides the links given in the first post I use http://www.chinatrainguide.com/ as a guide. But I always have a Chinese person do the booking for me because I have little language ability and once you get into having to pick another train/time because of availability you really need to see it in English. Getting tickets is not difficult but getting the tickets you want can be.

I think the difficulty in getting a train ticket in China is more the intimidation factor than anything else. First, you're going to stand in a long line with a lot of impatient Chinese people who are also waiting. I am far from fluent in Chinese, but I know to take my passport with me.

All one need do is go online and find the train number they want to take, the date, departure time, and destination. Write it on a piece of paper, in pinyin: for example:

Train #: G-7371
25/02/2013
Nanjing Nan Zhan > Shanghai Hongqiao

When you present the paper, also hand them your passport. The clerk will present the computer screen to you, which is not difficult to read. It shows the train numbers and available times. Hand them the cash, and you get the ticket and any change.

After you do it once, you will feel a lot more confident and realize that it's not at all difficult.

[Guest ExChinaExpat]

You gotta be a little bold to live and function in China. If you get to the window and the clerk can't speak English and is impatient with you, and you can't seem to get what you want then,

 

Speak loudly to the crowd and ask whether someone speaks English and can help you. You'd be surprised to see how many willing young people will come to your aid.

[Fu Lai]

Exactly. As I wrote in another thread there are many people in China with at least passing English skills that will gladly help out.

You gotta be a little bold to live and function in China. If you get to the window and the clerk can't speak English and is impatient with you, and you can't seem to get what you want then,

 

Speak loudly to the crowd and ask whether someone speaks English and can help you. You'd be surprised to see how many willing young people will come to your aid.

[Thomas Promise]

For future reference.

 

http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/

 

 

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/

[Doug]

 

I'll add that one can get a CARD passport along with the passport book here in the USA. You can't use the card from country to country, and it has a different number, but the Chinese teller doesnt care. Since I live in the USA and her in China, I left the card with her to be able to buy plane or train tickets as needed before I arrive to see her. Makes life easier.

 

 

Do you mean the little passport card?

 

http://travel.state.gov/images/updatepptcard.jpg

YES that kind of passport card. It is just a clerk behind the window, and it always works, whether read or he types in the number. No not work in the machine, as far as I know, but I think she tried it.

 

We discovered this one time when I simply forgot to bring my passport but had that card in my billfold. It worked baby, so I left it with her and she has all tickets in hand when I arrive.

[Fu Lai]

Did exactly this today and the Chinese guy right behind me helped finish the job!

You gotta be a little bold to live and function in China. If you get to the window and the clerk can't speak English and is impatient with you, and you can't seem to get what you want then,

 

Speak loudly to the crowd and ask whether someone speaks English and can help you. You'd be surprised to see how many willing young people will come to your aid.

[MarineClimateLover]

The easiest way to take the train in China is to fly. (And really, within China, it's not much more expensive.)

[Fu Lai]

The easiest way to take the train in China is to fly. (And really, within China, it's not much more expensive.)

 

Actually it's usually twice as expensive to fly.