China Train Tickets Booking Policy

Written by Vivi Updated Aug. 19, 2021

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.

 

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Booking Tips

Payment

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.
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