The official train ticket platform; useful, but English UX and identity checks can be harder for first-time visitors.
Start with the related tutorials below, then check whether the guide was source-checked or field-tested. App screens, card support and phone verification can change, so use the latest official app and keep a backup plan.
A source-checked guide to China Railway 12306 for foreign passport holders: registration, identity verification, ticket search, booking windows, refunds and Trip.com comparison.
A practical airport-to-city guide for first-time China visitors: metro, taxi queues, Didi pickup points, hotel transfers and Chinese address preparation.
A practical train ticket guide for foreigners in China: 12306, Trip.com, passport booking, station names, payment and boarding tips.
A practical guide for foreign visitors when a DiDi driver calls in Chinese: what to message, how to confirm the pickup point and how to stay safe.
A practical phrase and address guide for showing taxi drivers your destination in China when you do not speak Chinese.
A practical subway guide for foreign visitors in China, including payment options, QR codes, tickets, station exits, transfers and common mistakes.
