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Travel2China

Railways

China’s railway system is efficient, fast, and a great way to explore the country.

Types of Trains

Before buying a ticket, it’s helpful to know the types of trains in China. The train type is shown by the first letter of the train number (like G11, Z21).

  • High-Speed Trains (G, D, C Trains):

    • G ( 高铁, gāo tiě ): Fastest, speeds up to 350 km/h (bullet trains).
    • D ( 动车, dòng chē ): Slower high-speed trains, more stops, speeds up to 250 km/h.
    • C ( 城际动车, chéng jì dòng chē ): Intercity trains, mainly between neighboring cities.

  • Regular Trains (Z, T, K Trains):

    • Z ( 直达, zhí dá ): Direct express trains, fewer stops.
    • T ( 特快, tè kuài ): Fast trains with moderate stops.
    • K ( 快速, kuài sù ): Slower trains with many stops.

High-speed trains usually depart from a different station than regular trains. These stations are often farther from the city center. Make sure to have taxi apps and digital payment apps ready when traveling to cities without metros.

Buy The Tickets

  • Online Booking

    You can book tickets online on two main platforms. Both support English and various payment options. However, Trip.com may offer a more user-friendly experience.

  • At Train Stations

    You can also go to a train station’s ticket counter with your passport and booking details (you can write the details and station names in pinyin on a piece of paper). Most payment methods are accepted there.

Ticket Options

  • Seat Classes on High-Speed Trains:

    • Business Class: Most comfortable with spacious reclining seats.
    • First Class: Comfortable and quieter, with larger seats.
    • Second Class: Standard seats, more affordable.

  • Regular Trains:

    • Soft Sleeper: Private cabins with 4 berths (comfortable).
    • Hard Sleeper: Open compartments with 6 berths (budget-friendly).
    • Soft Seat/Hard Seat: Cheaper options for shorter journeys.

Notes:

  • You should book your ticket as early as possible during peak seasons, like national holidays and weekends, up to 15 days in advance.
  • A limited number of no-seat tickets are also available, priced the same as the lowest class.
  • Choose your train station carefully when booking, as some cities have multiple stations.
  • You cannot choose your seat number when booking. The system will assign seats and will try its best to keep you and your travel partners together (if you booked multiple tickets in one order).

Boarding the Train

Arrive at the station 30-60 minutes early. The ID and security checks at big stations will take up a lot of your time.

The platform entry number will be shown in the app. If not, check the big screen near the station entrance or at the center of the station. It will display the train number, departure time, and platform entry number.

You don’t need a physical ticket to board the train—just scan your passport at the platform entry, similar to how locals scan their IDs.

Your coach number and seat number will be shown in the app you used to book the ticket. Follow the guides on the floor and the screens at the platform to find your coach.

Note: If you are boarding at a midway station, the train will only stop for a few minutes. If you can’t find your coach in time, just board any coach and walk to your seat from inside the train.

On The Train

Most trains have a Canteen Coach, and staff will walk through the train selling boxed meals( 盒饭, hé fàn ). These meals are usually tasty but can be a bit expensive. Some meals cost as little as 15 RMB—you can ask the staff at the Canteen Coach or order through the 12306 app.

You can also scan the QR code on your seat’s armrest to order food from chain restaurants at stations the train will pass. The food will be delivered to your seat, but make sure to order early.

Arrive

Scan your passport to pass through the gate. All stations have public transport. In big cities, if you have set up Alipay, the metro is the best option. Taxis are cheap everywhere, so use them when needed.