🚄 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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Browse all 15 train cases

Each opens its own free diagnosis + first-step page:

Your 12306 identity verification never completes Your name is entered incorrectly and the system rejects it Your train payment fails at checkout Your passport won't scan at the automatic gate You booked from the wrong station Your train is sold out You need to change or refund your ticket You left your passport at the hotel You need a ticket for a child or elderly passenger You have large luggage You need to add a ticket on board You lost your ticket or booking confirmation You need to transfer between stations You need to contact customer service You need a receipt or invoice for your ticket