🚆Become an expert on booking trains in China

As we all know, China has their own ecosystem of apps. That can be a little intimidating when booking transportation options, especially on high speed rails/trains.

If it’s your first time taking their trains, not to worry!

Here are 9 things you should know to take the train like a pro:

1️⃣ Your passport is your ticket

No need for downloading or printing of tickets, everything is digitized and pretty convenient. Upon booking, you’d be asked to input your passport details. Just scan your passport at the gantry to get onto the platforms!

2️⃣ Use Trip.com or 12306 to book

Trip.com is definitely the most user friendly and straightforward. However they do have booking fees ($4-6), which isn’t crazy expensive but if you’re taking multiple trips it can add up. Booking a train ticket for $10+ and having to pay a booking fee of almost 50% of the price feels a little off putting personally!

To save on that booking fee, use their official train site - 12306. With either the browser or app version, this books directly to the train company.

While there are both Chinese and English version, the English version offers less information and options (such as selecting your seats). The Chinese version on the other hand often has issues with the email verification.

I usually use the English version to book my train tickets. Although I don’t get to choose my seats, they are usually grouped together if bought in the same booking.

3️⃣ Enter with the manual counter (for foreigners)

When the gantry is open (usually 15/20 mins before departure), queue to enter via the manual counter where a station staff is. Most counters are suitable for passengers with Chinese ID, and passport holders can face some issues. The manual counter is usually at the leftmost or rightmost lane, which can usually be the longest - but the safest.

Sometimes the staff will still direct passport holders to an automated gantry gate, but it’s still safer than being stuck in the middle gantry with the INSANE crowd.

4️⃣ Luggage spaces are limited

Luggage space on the train is pretty limited, and definitely insufficient if on longer duration trains where each passenger has a luggage. I would recommend being the first few to board so as to be able to grab a luggage space near your seat.

Once the spaces are filled, you’d have to either place them in front of your seat (super uncomfortable), or in another carriage by the walkway (unattended). Both aren’t great options, but I chose the latter once - just rmb to lock your luggage and keep valuables with you!

5️⃣ Luggage spaces are overhead!!

Think airplane overhead carriages, but instead of hoisting up your cabin sized luggage, you might be carrying your huge ass luggage. This means potentially lifting 10-15kg worth of luggage, and it’s definitely no easy feat. Be prepared to have a bit of a work out, or ask for help if possible.

If you’re unable to lift up your luggage, the only option would be squeezing in front of your seat, or leaving in the walkway in another carriage.

6️⃣ Arrive 1-1.5hours before departure

Although not as huge as airports, some train stations can be pretty huge. With security bag checks, walking to the gates, and ideally being early to get luggage space, arriving 1-1.5 hours before the departure would give you a good peace of mind.

You can also grab some snacks or a drink before heading in!

7️⃣ Avoid restricted items - like airports

While not as strict as air travel, there are still some restricted items. Common ones could be knives, scissors, and aerosol bottles (not more than 100g). If you’re visiting high altitude places, you might have oxygen bottles, which would have to be disposed of before security checks.

8️⃣ Food situation on trains

Eating and drinking is permitted on the trains, which means you can dabao your own food up the train.

However many first timers are also unaware that there are usually food carts selling some snacks and drinks. Some trips also have bentos for sale, while others can also order food (fast food/milk tea) to be delivered to your seat!

Trains would usually also come with hot water dispensers - which we see many locals bringing cup noodles to eat.

9️⃣ Ticket release 2 weeks before

While trip.com allows you to reserve tickets beforehand, tickets officially go on sale 2 weeks in advanced.

As I mainly booked through 12306, I simply waited 2 weeks before the travel date to book. I would imagine that during peak seasons, there could be situations where tickets are limited or perhaps large groups might be separated.

Hope now you feel a little more confident in taking trains in China! If you have other questions, just let me know! 🙂

#china #traintravel #chinatraveltips #chinatravel #traintips