With spring upon us, the best time to travel is now! Chinese trains have come a long way in the last few years, and offer a fantastic way to explore the country at a great price.
If it’s your first time taking a Chinese train, don’t stress out! Our easy, step-by-step guide will show you exactly how it works:
For the best experience, book using the Ctrip app
For a hassle-free experience, book your train tickets in English (or seven other languages) through the Ctrip app. With this simple-to-use app you can book your tickets in just minutes!
Alternatively you can book through the official website or at the train station itself. Be aware however that there is no English on the official website, and English service at train station is patchy at best.
You’ll have to look hard but those 取票 (qǔ piào) characters are in there!
Skip this step if you already have tickets.
Most railway stations will have a designated place to buy and pick up tickets before you enter the station, with the exception of Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station where you’ll need to enter the station first. Look for the Chinese characters (取票 qǔ piào) if you can’t see anything in English.
Head to the pick-up window to collect your tickets. This is where it can get tricky if you can’t read Chinese. If there’s no English, first look for a window that includes the characters 取票 (qǔ piào). If it doesn’t exist, which it often doesn’t, the 改签(gǎiqiān) counters can also help you. You’ll need both your passport and booking number starting with E (e.g. E12345678) to collect your tickets. The booking number is essential; don’t expect to pick up your tickets without it!
Pro-Tip: While Chinese citizens can use the ticket dispensing machines, you can’t. Unfortunately for foreigners you’re going to need to line up.
At most railway stations you’ll need to first show your ticket and passport to enter the station itself.
Line up and place you bags through the x-ray machine. You’ll get a quick pat-down from one of the security staff and then you’re good to go.
If you’re at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and don’t have your tickets, you’ll need to head to the pick-up window now. (See step 2)
Check the top right of your ticket to find out where you need to wait. 候车室 = Waiting Room, 检票口 = Gate
In newer stations there is simply one big waiting hall with a series of gates taking you to the platforms below. However in the older stations you’ll need to be waiting in the correct waiting room. Check the top right of your ticket to find out where you should be.
Boarding usually starts 15 minutes before the train departs. There will be an announcement in Chinese (and English if you’re in a major train station) and the information board will change from 等候 (děnghòu \ wait) to 检票 (jiǎn piào \ check tickets). Join the queue and when it comes to your turn, simply insert your ticket in the slot at the front of the gate and retrieve it when it pops out the top.
Pro-Tip: Don’t throw away your ticket, you’ll need it to exit the station!
车 = Carriage, 号 = Your seat number
Printed on the right side of your ticket are the carriage number and seat number. If there’s someone in your seat, just show them your ticket!
Pro-Tip: If the train hasn’t arrived, there are usually small numbers marked on the ground indicating where to line up for each carriage.
Kick back and relax! With power points, wide seats and much more legroom than a plane, a journey on China’s high-speed railway is usually a comfortable experience.
Pro-Tip: There’s a good chance one of the train attendants will come around during the journey to check your ticket, so keep it somewhere easy to access.
Listen out for the announcements in English to make sure you don’t miss your station. This information is also displayed in both English and Chinese on the electronic screen at the front of each carriage.
Once you get off, follow the crowd and simply insert your ticket into the exit gate to exit.
Pro-Tip: Many railway stations have multiple exits, e.g. North and South. If you’re at an older railway station you might need to follow the signs to find the right exit BEFORE you go through the exit gate, otherwise you could find yourself on the wrong side of the train station.
You’ve successfully navigated China’s railway system. It wasn’t that hard now, was it?
Make sure to save this post to save yourself time and trouble next time you're taking a train. Most importantly, remember to use the Ctrip app to make the booking process fast and simple!
Click Read more to download the Ctrip app today!
![[Ad] Chinese train travel: A how-to guide](https://cdn.10100.com/user/4d58835f3ad23b81cc7d4f6731e976f9_180x.png)
