How to Purchase Train Tickets in China

 

Trains are the most convenient way to get around China for an affordable price. Depending on the type of train you get, they are usually clean, convenient, and a fast way to travel from A to B.

There are three types of trains based on speed and comfort:

• G / C – Bullet trains – the fastest and most comfortable with first-class, business class, and second-class seating.

 

• D – High-Speed trains – the first high-speed trains to arrive in China.

 

• K / T / Z – Normal trains – the slowest and oldest of China’s trains. They’re often crowded and stop at more of the country’s smaller, more isolated stations.

 

Here’s a form of all types of trains in China

 

Depending on the seat you chose, the price can be different.

Take a look at these class of seats.

G / D / C Trains

Business Class

 

Superior Class

First Class

Second Class

Soft Sleeper

 K / T / Z Trains

Soft Seat

 

 Hard Seat





 

Soft Sleeper

 Deluxe Soft Sleeper

Hard Sleeper

 

How to purchase train tickets?

You can purchase your train tickets by WeChat.

Click on “Wallet” roll to the bottom, there’s a section of “Rail & Flight”. Because it’s cooperated with Tongcheng, similar to Ctrips, it only shows in Chinese.

Then click on “railway” and choose the time you prefer. At the bottom, there’s a selection to search only for high-speed railway. if you deselected it, it will show you the Z/T/K Trains.

In the meanwhile, the prices are shown according to the seat type.

 

After you chose the train, you need to fill out the information of the passenger.

For the ID type, for foreigners, choose “护照” which means “passport”.

Remember the system will automatically ask you to add another 20RMB for the insurance for the trip, but you can deselect it.

 

You can also purchase for others as well. After you have added all the passengers’ information, click on the green button below to pay.

 

When it’s successfully issued the ticket, the system will send you a message to your WeChat.

 

How to get your ticket?

You can get the ticket at the train ticket agency but you have to pay 5RMB extra. Remember to bring your passport with you to the ticket office.

Also, another 5RMB extra is needed if you pick up the train ticket of another city’s.

 

There are two kinds of tickets, one is red and the other one is blue.

If you get the red one, it requires you to ask for the staff to pass through the gate while you board the train. The blue one can be examed by the machine.

 

Next step? Pack your luggage!

Bon voyage!