Here are answers to frequently asked questions about train travel in China. In general, planning a train ride, purchasing tickets, and boarding trains in China is quite straightforward. Please click the navigation below to find the answers to your questions.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book China train tickets in advance. With China being the most populous country in the world, demand for train tickets is extremely high. According to China Railway’s official data, over 40 billion train tickets are sold each year, and this number continues to rise.
Typically, tickets for about 90% of trains are released 15 days before the departure date. For around 10% of trains, tickets may only be available 5 days in advance. These release patterns are based on China Railway's internal practices, and they do not publicly explain the reasons for these variations.
To ensure you secure a ticket, we advise booking as early as possible. In fact, many of our customers reserve their train tickets up to a year in advance. We monitor ticket availability on their behalf and send the tickets as soon as they are released. If there are any changes to train schedules, we will promptly notify you.
The easiest way is to search directly on our website. Simply enter your departure date, departure station, and arrival station, then click the search button. The results page will display the seat availability for all trains running between your selected stations. It is also possible to call China Railway or go to a train station to check.
No, booking train tickets far in advance does not guarantee a lower price. Ticket prices can fluctuate even if you book a year ahead. If the price increases after booking, you will need to pay the difference. If the price decreases, the difference will be refunded.
These price changes are determined by China Railway, and they do not provide advance notice or explanations for when or why prices change. The only clear rule is that if the travel time between two destinations is shortened, ticket prices will increase.
There are three main reasons why train tickets may not be available:
Tickets have not been released yet: While most tickets are typically released 15 days before departure, some trains may experience delays in ticket availability, or tickets might not be released at all. In such cases, passengers will need to choose a different train.
Tickets sell out quickly during holidays: During peak travel times like the Spring Festival or National Day Holiday, tickets can sell out within minutes. Even if you manage to book tickets, popular attractions may be overcrowded, potentially affecting your travel experience. You may need to adjust your travel dates or routes to avoid the rush.
Train schedules are being adjusted: China Railway periodically updates train schedules based on performance. This process usually takes 7 to 10 days, and during this period, ticket booking for affected trains is temporarily unavailable.
In some cases, tickets may still be available even if they appear as “sold out” online. Here’s why:
Daytime High-Speed Trains:
A typical high-speed train has 2 business class coaches (28 seats each), 3 first class coaches (48 seats each), and 11 second class coaches (90 seats each). Business and first class tickets often sell out quickly due to the limited number of seats. However, second class tickets are rarely sold out on regular business days.
If second class tickets show as “sold out,” it usually means that China Railway has not released all of the available tickets yet, and only the already-released tickets have sold out. In this case, it’s recommended to check again a few hours later, as more tickets may become available.
For public holidays, however, China Railway releases all tickets at once. If you see “sold out” during these times, it is unlikely that additional tickets will be released later.
Overnight Sleeper Trains (High-Speed or Regular Trains):
Overnight sleeper trains have fewer berths than daytime seats. Tickets for longer trips are often released earlier than those for shorter segments. For example, if a train runs from Beijing to Shanghai to Guangzhou, tickets for the full Beijing-to-Guangzhou route may be released 10 days earlier than those for the shorter Shanghai-to-Guangzhou leg. If the longer-route tickets sell out, the shorter-route tickets may not be released at all.
In this situation, you could switch to a high-speed train or buy a ticket for the longer route (e.g., Beijing to Guangzhou) and board at your intended station (e.g., Shanghai).
Whether train tickets in China are considered expensive depends on how they compare to prices in your own country. The general pricing for high-speed trains is as follows:
Occasionally, discounts of up to 45% are available. There is no official pricing standard for sleeper trains, so the cost can vary. We recommend comparing these prices with train fares in your country to get a better sense of affordability.
No, it is not possible to buy high-speed train tickets at a subway station. High-speed trains and other national rail services are operated by China Railway, while subways are managed by different companies in each city. There is currently no cooperation between these systems.
Yes, traveling by train in China is generally easy and convenient. In fact, 90% of our customers report a smooth experience. You can easily purchase train tickets using your passport or other identification accepted by China Railway. Additionally, most major train stations and trains have English signage, making navigation straightforward for non-Chinese speakers.
When approaching your destination, there will be an English announcement to inform passengers. If you're worried about missing your stop, you can simply ask the train staff for assistance when boarding, and they will be happy to remind you when your stop is approaching.
There are two main places to store your luggage on a high-speed train:
Overhead shelves: Most passengers store their luggage on the overhead shelves above their seats. The shelf's dimensions are 35 cm wide and 35 cm high, so larger suitcases may not fit.
Luggage shelves between coaches: For larger luggage, you can use the shelves located at the junctions between coaches. However, space is limited—only six large suitcases can fit here—so it's best to board early to secure a spot.
If the train is crowded, passengers are allowed to place luggage in any available space, as long as it doesn't pose a safety hazard.
If you leave something behind on a train, follow these steps:
Visit the Lost and Found counter at the arrival station. Provide the staff with your train number, coach, seat number, and show your passport. They will contact the train staff to help locate your item.
If you can't visit the Lost and Found counter in person, you can call China Railway's official hotline (12306) and ask them to search for your lost item. However, you will still need to visit the Lost and Found counter to pick it up once it’s found.
If you booked your train tickets through us, simply send us an email with details of the item you lost, and we will assist in locating it for you.
To avoid disruptions, it’s important to check your train status ahead of time, especially during extreme weather. Here's what to do:
During normal days:
China Railway is supposed to notify passengers at least one day before departure if a train is canceled, typically via SMS. However, some passengers report not receiving these messages, so it’s a good idea to check your train status online a day before your trip.
If your train is canceled, you can switch to another train at no cost (you may need to pay the price difference if applicable) or request a full refund.
During extreme weather (typhoons, snowstorms):
In severe weather, trains may be canceled just minutes before departure. Alternative trains may not be available in such cases.
It’s advisable to adjust your route. For example, if you originally planned to travel from Beijing to Guangzhou, you could consider changing to a route like Beijing to Xi'an to Guangzhou to avoid weather-affected areas, like the east coast, which is often impacted by summer typhoons.
High-speed trains in China are considered to be extremely safe, much safer than other types of trains, due to several key factors:
The Fuxinghao train, with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), is currently the fastest national-wide train in China. However, it doesn’t always operate at its maximum speed. The average speed of high-speed trains across the country is typically around 300 km/h (186 mph), though in some mountainous regions, speeds may drop to 200 km/h (124 mph).
While the Maglev train can reach an impressive speed of 420 km/h (261 mph), it is limited to the short route between Shanghai’s Pudong Airport and Longyang Road and is not part of the national high-speed rail network.
In 2023, a staggering 3.855 billion high-speed train trips were booked, according to China Railway’s official statistics—an increase of 130% compared to 2022. The busiest travel period is during the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. From January 7th to February 15th, 2023, China Railway served 348 million passengers in just 40 days.
For 2025, the Spring Festival begins on January 29th. If your planned travel falls within two weeks before or after that date, we recommend adjusting your schedule to avoid the peak travel rush.
The Beijing-Guangzhou rail line is the longest train route in China, spanning 2,298 kilometers (1,428 miles). The fastest high-speed train, G79, covers the distance in just 7 hours and 16 minutes. For those who prefer a slower journey, there are also overnight trains available, which take around 22 hours to complete the trip.
As of 2024, 11,149 passenger trains and 22,264 freight trains operate daily across China, according to China Railway’s statistics. This marks an increase of 233 passenger trains and 40 freight trains compared to 2023.
