Book with your passport, arrive 45–60 minutes early, and treat the passport as your ticket. China's high-speed network is fast, clean and reliable, but stations are enormous and English signage is limited. We book seats together, send e-tickets and explain the exact station, entrance and exit.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Entry and payment rules change. We confirm the current rule for your passport and route in writing before you book.
Booking with a foreign passport
Your passport number and name must match the booking exactly. Tickets are linked to the passport, not a paper ticket. At the station, use the passport at the manual gate or ask staff to scan it; automatic gates may not read every foreign passport.
We book through the official system and send a confirmation with the train number, departure station, platform and meeting instructions. If your plans change, tell us before the ticket rules make changes expensive.
Choosing a seat class
Second class is comfortable and the most common choice. First class gives wider seats and a quieter carriage; business class is a bigger jump in price and not necessary for most routes. For families, we book adjacent seats where available.
Luggage space is limited at busy times. Pack so you can lift your own bag onto the rack, and keep passports, medicines and valuables with you.
Station logistics
Large cities often have more than one station, and the name matters. Beijing South is not Beijing West; Shanghai Hongqiao is not Shanghai Station. We send a driver to the correct entrance and a written meet-point, because ‘the station’ is not a useful instruction.
Allow 45–60 minutes before departure for security, finding the gate and boarding. At Chinese New Year and national holidays, allow more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book train tickets without a Chinese ID?
Foreign travellers can book with a passport through official or authorised channels. The passport must be valid and the name and number must match exactly.
Do I need to print my train ticket?
Usually no. The passport is the ticket. Keep the booking confirmation and passport together; some stations or staff may ask for the confirmation.
Can you book seats together?
Yes, we request adjacent seats when available. On busy trains, availability is not guaranteed; we tell you before confirming.
Send us your passport and route.
We will check the current rule and reply in plain English, usually within one working day.
Last updated: 1 November 2026. Rules can change; confirm before you travel.