How to Change/Cancel China Train Tickets

There may be instances when you need to modify or cancel your train tickets due to unforeseen circumstances. Understanding the process of changing or canceling China train tickets can save you time, effort, and money.

How to Change a China Train Ticket

Please note that train tickets can be changed before departure, subject to availability. Changes can be made to the departure date, departure time, arrival station, train number, and seat/sleeper class. However, please be aware that the departure station cannot be changed. If you need to change the departure station, a new ticket will need to be purchased.

For information on canceling or refunding train tickets, please refer to the guidelines below.

Changing Train Tickets Online

If you have booked your tickets online, changes can typically be made online as well. Please note that China Rail may charge a service fee for the ticket change. Any difference in price will be added/deducted.

If you booked the ticket with a travel agency like Train Spread, you need to inform us 24 hours or more in advance and we will handle the change for you. 

• According to China Rail's policy, train tickets to and from Tibet cannot be changed online. They can only be changed at train stations with passengers’ original passports.
• Kindly be informed that International China train tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable once they have been issued.

Changing Train Tickets at a Train Station

Alternatively, you can proceed with changing your train tickets at the designated window at the train station. To facilitate the ticket change process, please ensure that you have the original tickets and the passports of all passengers accompanying you.

Look for the window labeled "改签窗口" at the station. This window is specifically designated for ticket changes.

Policy for Changing Tickets

• If you make the change more than 48 hours before departure, you can change the ticket(s) to any other train and any other date.
• If you make the change less than 48 hours before departure, you can change the ticket(s) to any other train before or on your departure date.
• If you make the change after the train has departed, you can change the ticket(s) to other trains on your departure date. But tickets can only be changed at the departure station.

Documents Needed for Changing China Train Tickets

You do not need to provide any documents unless changing e-tickets at the train station.

If you change e-tickets at a train station, you should provide the original valid ID and e-ticket number.

If you ask others to handle it on your behalf, the railway staff can also request this person's original valid ID.

How Many Times Can Tickets be Changed

A ticket can be changed only once. To change the ticket after changing it once, you would need to cancel the ticket and purchase a new one.

How Price Differences are Handled

If the price of the changed ticket is higher than the original one, the price difference will be charged. If not, the price difference will be returned to you.

If the price of the changed ticket is the same as the original one, you don’t need to pay for the ticket change. There is no service fee charged at stations.

How to Cancel and Refund a China Train Ticket

China Train tickets can be canceled before departure. A cancellation fee of 0-20% of the ticket price will be charged by China Rail. The remainder of the ticket price will be refunded.

Canceling Tickets Online

If you booked a ticket online, the cancellation can be handled online. Tickets can be canceled online up to 30 minutes before departure.

• If you book tickets with Train Spread, please email us 24 hours or more in advance when you need to cancel train tickets. Our travel advisor will process the cancellation for you.
• According to China Rail's policy, train tickets to and from Tibet cannot be canceled online. They can only be canceled at train stations with passengers’ original passports.

Canceling Tickets at a Train Station

You can also cancel your train tickets at the train station. There is a designated window for canceling tickets signed “退票窗口”. The e-ticket number and passengers’ original passports need to be presented in order to cancel the tickets. A cancellation fee will be charged by China Rail. The rest of the money will be refunded to you in cash, or returned to your credit card.

Cancellation Fees Charged by China Rail

Time of Cancelling Ticket	Cancellation Fee
more than 48 hours before departure	5% of the ticket price
24-48 hours before departure	10% of the ticket price
Less than 24 hours before departure	20% of the ticket price

Cancelation Fees for Tickets to and from Hong Kong

Changing tickets or requesting refunds should be made no later than the date specified on the ticket and 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time for all trains, except for tickets with the origin station at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, which should be made no later than 45 minutes before departure.

• 5% of the ticket price if make cancellation more than 8 days before departure.
• 30% of the ticket price if make cancellation 48 hours - 7 days before departure.
• 50% of the ticket price if make cancellation less than 48 hours before departure.

Documents Needed for Canceling Train Tickets

Cancelations can be made up to the departure time if you cancel the ticket(s) at the cancelations window of a train station. The original valid ID(s) and e-ticket number must be submitted. If you ask someone else to handle it on your behalf, the railway staff can also request the provision of that person's original valid ID.

However, if you cancel the ticket online, on China Railway's official website or through an online booking service, you don’t need to provide any documents. However, with some booking services, you may need to make your cancelation earlier to secure a refund.

Refund Method for Canceled Train Tickets

If you bought tickets in cash, you will get a refund in cash. If you bought tickets with a credit card, the money will be returned to your credit card. If a ticket is paid by an online payment tool like WeChat, the money will be returned to that payment tool. 

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