Book China train tickets
in English, in 2 minutes
Real-time availability for every China Railway (CR) service. No Chinese phone number, no Chinese bank card, no station queue — just your passport.
Start from a city
Every station in each city, and every city reachable without changing trains.
How it works
Three steps from search to boarding.
1. Search & pick
Check live timetables and seat availability for any date within the 15-day booking window. Prices shown in USD, all fees included.
2. Book with your passport
Enter each traveller exactly as printed in their passport. We submit the order to China Railway under real-name rules on your behalf.
3. Get your e-ticket
Once issued, your booking confirmation and ticket number arrive by email. Walk straight to the gate with the same passport.
What it costs
One price in US dollars — the China Railway fare plus a flat fee of US$8 to US$12. Same fee for adults and children, and nothing is added at checkout.
Tickets under US$30
A flat US$8. A ¥54.5 second-class fare is US$7.55, so you pay US$16 in total.
US$30 to US$50
US$10. A ¥250 fare is US$34.63, so you pay US$45 in total.
Over US$50
US$12. Beijing–Shanghai second class is ¥553 (US$76.59), so US$89 in total.
Before you book
Most questions are answered before checkout — reading one of these saves a support email.
Booking with a foreign passport
Which ID works, how real-name registration behaves for foreigners, and what happens at the gate.
Getting aroundTrains vs flights vs overnight
Which station each line leaves from, and when high-speed rail is genuinely the faster choice.
FAQRefunds, changes and children's fares
China Railway's own rules, how the 15-day window works, and what we can and cannot guarantee.
PlanningIs there a direct train?
Check any two cities for direct high-speed services before you commit to a route.
Why travellers book with us
The official 12306 site is Chinese-only and foreign cards usually fail. We remove both problems.
English everywhere
Stations, seat classes and times in plain English — no guessing which of Shanghai's four stations you need.
International cards
Visa, Mastercard and Amex, charged in USD through our payment processor. No Chinese bank account required.
Passport check-in
No paper ticket collection. Show your passport at the gate and board.
Human support
A real agent monitors every order and will contact you if a train sells out.
Frequently asked questions
Everything foreign travellers ask us before the first booking.
How far ahead can I book?
China Railway opens sales 15 days before departure. Popular Golden Week and Spring Festival dates sell out within minutes.
What details do you need?
Full name, passport number, nationality and passport expiry for each traveller, plus a contact email. Names must match the passport exactly.
Is my seat guaranteed?
We start buying as soon as your order is confirmed. On rare occasions a train sells out first — we contact you immediately with alternatives or a full refund.
Do children need tickets?
Children under 6 (or under 1.2m) travel free without a seat. Ages 6–14 pay the child fare with a seat.
Can I choose a window seat?
You can request window, aisle, or lower berth. Requests are honoured where inventory allows, but cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellations & changes
Refunds follow China Railway's own rules and scale by how close to departure you cancel. Ask support and we handle the paperwork.