How to Use 12306 in English: Buy China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (2026)

Quick answer: Foreign passport holders can register on the official 12306 English website and book China train tickets online. Complete real-name identity verification before purchasing, enter your passenger details exactly as shown on the booking document, and carry the original passport used for the reservation when you travel.

Many 12306 guides focus on finding a train. The steps that matter most are verifying your identity, entering passenger information accurately, and bringing the correct document to the station. This guide covers the process from registration through boarding.

For the wider picture on planning rail journeys, start with our pillar guide to booking China trains, then come back here for the 12306-specific steps.

Step 1: Open the official 12306 service

Use the official website www.12306.cn or the official mobile app. China Railway's English service provides ticket booking and also supports order inquiries, ticket changes, destination changes, and refunds.

Step 2: Register with your passport

The 12306 English registration service accepts valid foreign passports. Enter the passenger's name, identity-document type, and document number accurately. Check every character against the passport before submitting the form.

A name or document-number error can prevent the passenger from using the reservation later. Keep the details consistent across the account and ticket order.

Step 3: Complete identity verification

Registration alone is not enough to buy a ticket. Foreign travelers must complete real-name identity verification before purchasing. Verification may be completed online or at a railway-station ticket office.

If you use the online process, follow the service's instructions and make sure the passport information is clear and readable. Allow time for verification before you need to book.

Step 4: Search, book, and pay

Tickets can be purchased through 12306.cn or its mobile app. Other available channels include railway-station ticket counters, automatic ticket machines where available, and authorized railway ticket agencies.

When booking:

1. Enter your origin, destination, and travel date.
2. Choose an available train and seat class.
3. Select the verified passenger.
4. Check the passenger's name, document type, and document number carefully.
5. Complete payment through the available checkout method.

For an alternative English-language booking service, see our comparison of Trip.com and 12306.

Step 5: At the station, bring your passport

China Railway uses electronic tickets. Carry the original identity document used for booking: it is required for station check-in and boarding.

Arrive with enough time to pass security screening, find the correct platform and carriage, and ask station staff for help if you are unsure where foreign passport holders should check in. Keep your passport accessible throughout the journey.

Details that prevent problems

• Name mismatch: Enter the passenger's name exactly as shown on the identity document.
• Wrong document details: Check the identity-document type and number before payment.
• Unverified passenger: Complete real-name verification before attempting to purchase.
• Missing passport: Bring the original document used for the reservation.
• Assuming a receipt is a ticket: A 12306 itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt is not valid for boarding by itself.
• Need to change or refund: Use the official service's order, change, destination-change, and refund functions, or ask at a railway ticket office.

Quick checklist before you travel

1. Official 12306 website or app opened.
2. Foreign passport accepted during registration.
3. Real-name identity verification completed.
4. Passenger name, document type, and document number checked carefully.
5. Original booking document packed for station check-in and boarding.
6. Order details saved for reference.

FAQ

Can foreigners book China train tickets on 12306?

Yes. The official 12306 English website accepts valid foreign passports for registration and online ticket booking, subject to completing the required identity verification.

Do foreign travelers need identity verification?

Yes. Real-name identity verification is required before purchasing tickets. It can be completed online or at a railway-station ticket office.

What document should I bring to the station?

Bring the original identity document used for booking. It is required for station check-in and boarding with an electronic ticket.

Is a 12306 itinerary sheet a valid ticket?

No. An itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt is not itself valid for boarding.

Where can I buy China train tickets?

You can use 12306.cn or its mobile app. Railway-station counters, automatic ticket machines where available, and authorized railway ticket agencies are also ticket-purchase channels.

Who this is for

• Independent travelers who want to use China Railway's official booking service.
• Travelers who can complete real-name verification and keep their booking document available.
• If you prefer an English-language agent, Trip.com may be more convenient despite its service fee.