China Train Tickets Booking Policy
China Train Ticket Booking
Please read the following Booking Procedures and Policies carefully. Placing a booking order implies that our procedure and policies have been read and accepted.
Many tourists would like to use China’s vast and cheap rail network, however obtaining train tickets is not an easy process (long queues, language problems, etc.). China Travel makes train ticket booking available to you to save you time, hassle, and money.
China Travel does not provide ticket change and refund service after the issue of the ticket.
Easy communication and urgent tickets booking via WeChat
Scan ChinaTravel Business Team QR Code

Booking Tips
- All booking procedures must be done online. Booking train tickets by phone and email are not accepted.
- The ticket price online is a net price, which does not include credit card processing fees, delivery fees…etc.
- A clear passport scan copy for all passenger(s) is required when filling out the order form online.
- Submit the booking order online. Our travel advisor will respond to you within 12 working hours. No contract between China Travel and the purchaser shall come into existence until China Travel issues a formal confirmation by email.
- A payment form/link will be sent to the email address provided. Full payment for all tickets is required before the issue of the tickets.
- According to the Ministry of China Railways’ policy, the availability of purchase tickets is 15 days before the travel date. (The selling period for train tickets often changes. China Railways has total control of it. China Travel will update the days in real-time). If the ticket is in 15 days later, we have to wait till the selling date to purchase the ticket.
- The issuing of tickets is under the total control of China Rail. China Travel will purchase tickets as soon as possible but does not influence the release of tickets. We will do our best to buy train tickets, but can’t 100% guarantee it.
- It is advisable to avoid train travel during peak times, including Chinese New Year (2 weeks in January/February) New Year’s Day (January 1st-3rd), Labor Day (May 1st-3rd), and National Day (October 1st-7th), which the tickets are often sold out.
- China Travel is not responsible for schedule changes by China Rail.
Payment
- Payment is available via PayPal, credit card payment center, or Visa/Master Card by fax authorization.
- If the purchaser is not a passenger, a clear scanned copy of the purchaser's passport is required at the time of payment.
- If payment is made by credit card authorization way, China Travel will draw Chinese currency (CNY) from your credit card. The credit card company or bank will convert this amount to the currency that is normally shown on your credit card.
- This procedure may result in a higher amount being charged than quoted by China Travel. These additional fees are not the responsibility of China Travel and are caused by additional fees charged by the credit card company/bank or exchange rate variation.
- Payments are 100% refundable if we are unable to supply the required tickets.
Changes to the Booking Order
- Change requests must be sent to China Travel by email at least 24 hours before the departure time. Please call us if it is urgent or if you don’t receive our reply in 12 hours.
- The change requests will be subject to our confirmation.
- Changes before tickets are issued will be free.
- Changes made after tickets are issued, China Travel will change the tickets for you without an extra service fee. China Rail will charge a fee of 5% of the ticket price if one changes tickets more than 48 hours before departure; 10% of the ticket price if one changes tickets 24 to 48 hours before departure; 20% of the ticket price if one changes less than 24 hours before departure.
Cancellation Refunds
- Cancellation requests should be sent to us by email at least 24 hours before the departure time. Please call us if it is urgent or if you don’t receive our reply in 12 hours.
- Bookings canceled before the issue of the ticket, payments are 100% refundable.
- Bookings canceled after the issue of the ticket, China Travel will refund you the net price of the ticket minus the cancellation fee. China Rail will charge a cancellation fee: 5% of the ticket price of canceled tickets more than 48 hours before departure; 10% of the ticket price if canceled 24 to 48 hours before departure; and 20% of the ticket price if canceling less than 24 hours before departure. The service fee is not refundable.
Checking in and Checking out
- Passengers should arrive at the train station 60 minutes before departure and check-in with a valid ID and the paper ticket together.
- After the train departs, a train attendant will walk through the carriages to collect tickets. The attendant will give each passenger a plastic card. Please keep the card safe. Passengers are required to present the card about half an hour before reaching the destination when the ticket will be returned.
- Retain the ticket as tickets are checked before exiting the train station.
Luggage
Baggage space is limited and must be stored in the sitting/sleeping compartment along with the other passenger’s luggage. It is wise to travel with limited baggage, which should not be left unattended.
Most stations have a considerable number of stairs to climb to reach the platforms. Bags have to be carried up and down these stairs. Most stairs have a steep ramp so that wheeled bags can be dragged up as you walk up the stairs. The ramps are usually narrow and inconvenient to use.
Some stations have porters who will carry luggage for 5-10 yuan per piece of luggage. Follow them closely and keep your eyes on your luggage.
Free Carry-on Luggage
- Ordinary passengers: 20 kg (44 pounds)
- Children with a half-price ticket ( 1.2m-1.5m) and no ticket (under 1.2 m) : 10 kg (22 pounds)
- The total length of each item cannot exceed 160 cm, unless rod-shaped.
- Note: The above limitation does not apply to wheelchairs, which can be brought onto the train for free.
International Train Ticket Booking Policy
According to China Rail and railway authorities in other countries, international trains to/out of China adopt different policies as below.
Reservations
- International train tickets to and from China can only be bought offline. We can only check ticket availability and purchase tickets at the designated train station.
- Your tickets will not be confirmed until a confirmation letter, indicating a successful ticket purchase, is sent to you. Your money will be fully refunded to you if we cannot purchase your tickets.
Changes and Cancellations
- It will be free of charge if you change or cancel your international tickets before tickets are issued.
- According to China Rail's policy, after international tickets are issued, a change or cancellation can only be made at the designated international ticket office by passengers themselves using their original passports.