🚄 How to Book and Board High-Speed Trains

Updated September 2026 · Tap any step to expand

1
Choose your booking platform
▶
Book a Train
12
12306 Official
No booking fee · Requires passport verification
T
Trip.com
Small fee · No verification needed
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You have two main options: the official 12306 app or Trip.com.

  • 12306: No booking fee, but requires passport verification first
  • Trip.com: Small service fee, but no verification needed
If you're in a hurry, use Trip.com.

Official links:

12306 official site Trip.com trains
2
Enter passenger details
▶
Passenger Details
Family Name
SMITH
Given Name
JOHN
Passport Number
AB1234567
Nationality
United States
Continue
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Enter your full name and passport number exactly as they appear on your passport.

  • Use exactly the spelling from the passport's machine-readable zone
  • No hyphens, no extra spaces, no middle names unless on the passport
Common problem: If your name is entered incorrectly, you may be denied boarding.
3
Pay for your ticket
▶
Payment
G123410:30
Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao
Second Class¥553
💳 Visa / Mastercard
💚 Alipay / WeChat Pay
Pay ¥553
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12306 accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Alipay, and WeChat Pay — but NOT Amex or UnionPay International.

  • Turn off browser autofill and manually enter card details
  • If a card fails, try Alipay or WeChat Pay instead
  • Trip.com has more payment options and fewer failures
Common problem: 12306 payment transactions fail about 12% of the time.
4
Board with your passport
▶
Station Entry
🛂
Passport Scanner Gate
Place passport on the scanner
← Manual Verification Lane

If the automatic gate rejects your passport:

  • Look for the "Staff Assistance" sign
  • Show your passport and e-ticket to staff
  • Allow 30–60 minutes before departure
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Your passport is your ticket. Arrive at the station at least 30-60 minutes early.

  • Your passport is your ticket — no paper ticket needed
  • Many foreign passports don't have RFID chips that work with automatic gates
  • Look for the staffed lane if the automatic gate rejects you
Tip: Arrive early. If you need the manual lane, it can add 10-15 minutes.
⚠ Common issues you may encounter ▶

The 4 steps above cover the basics. But here's what actually goes wrong:

  • Your 12306 identity verification never completes
  • Your name is entered incorrectly and the system rejects it
  • Your payment fails at checkout
  • Your passport won't scan at the automatic gate
  • You booked from the wrong station
  • Your train is sold out and you don't know about the waitlist
  • You need to change or refund your ticket
  • You left your passport at the hotel

The full guide covers 15+ issues with step-by-step fixes.

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