High-speed rail is one of the easiest ways to combine major Chinese cities. Buy through China Railway's official 12306 service or a clearly identified agent, and match every passenger name and passport number exactly.
Read the full station name
Beijing, Beijing South and Beijing West are different stations. Confirm the departure and arrival stations before booking accommodation or transfers.
Complete passport verification
12306 uses real-name ticketing. Foreign passport holders enter their identity details and may complete automatic or manual verification before purchase.
Board with the original document
Bring the valid passport used for booking. Follow signs for passport or staffed channels when an automatic gate does not read the document.
Plan station time
Major stations involve security, long concourses and an advance boarding window. Arrive with enough time to find the correct waiting area, but do not follow an arbitrary universal arrival time for every station.
Official sources
Sources checked 13 August 2026. Reconfirm time-sensitive details before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign travelers need a paper train ticket?
China Railway uses e-tickets on applicable services. The original booking passport is the key travel document; an itinerary sheet is not a ticket.
Can foreigners book on 12306?
Yes. The official English website and app support eligible foreign passport registration, verification, purchase, changes and refunds.
What if the automatic gate does not accept my passport?
Use the staffed or designated passport channel and show the original document used for booking.