Use the official 12306 ticket route
Foreign passengers can buy real-name railway tickets with a valid foreign passport. Official channels include 12306, station ticket counters and authorized railway sales channels. Problems caused by unrelated ticket websites are not handled by China Railway.
The English website supports ticket purchase, changes, refunds and destination changes within the applicable rules. Keep the account, passenger and payment details under your control.
How 12306 passport verification works
The current online verification page asks for a clear image of the passport information page and a clear photo of the traveler holding that page. It accepts JPG, JPEG and PNG images under 10 MB and states that manual review takes 3–5 working days.
- Use the Passport document type and enter the requested identity fields.
- Upload clear, complete images without glare, blocked details, folds or damage.
- Submit early and wait for the status shown in the official account.
- Buy only after the passenger is eligible under the verification status displayed by 12306.
Enter the passport name and number carefully
Use the identity details requested by 12306 and match the passport you will carry. Do not shorten, translate or reorder the name merely to force a successful result unless the official interface tells you to do so.
12306 says travelers with unusually long names or characters the system cannot handle may need to complete verification at a station ticket window. The current guidance asks those users to bring the original document and provide limited account-identification details requested by staff.
Book and check the reservation
- Confirm the departure station carefully; large cities have several major stations.
- Check the date, train number, arrival station, passenger and seat before payment.
- Save the booking information offline, including the station name in Chinese.
- Use the official order screen for changes or refunds and read the current deadline and fee.
An itinerary sheet or reimbursement receipt is not itself the travel document. Your electronic booking and the valid identity document used to purchase it are what matter for the journey.
At the station with a foreign passport
Bring the original passport
Carry the same valid document used for the real-name ticket. A photo or itinerary sheet does not replace it.
Use a staffed check when needed
If an automatic gate cannot read the passport, follow signs or staff directions to the manual document-check route.
Allow time for the ticket hall, security, identity checks and the walk to the platform. Ticket checks close before departure according to the station’s announcements.
If passport verification or booking fails
- Upload rejected: retake both required images with all details clear, uncovered and within the published file limit.
- Status still pending: allow the stated review period; do not create conflicting passenger records.
- Name cannot be entered: use the station-window route described by 12306 for long or unsupported names.
- Payment fails: confirm the booking is still available, then use another prepared payment method.
- Travel is imminent: take the original passport to an official station ticket window and ask staff which verification or purchase route remains available.
China train-ticket questions
Can foreigners book tickets on 12306?
Yes. The English 12306 website accepts valid foreign passports for real-name railway tickets.
How long can passport verification take?
The current passport-upload page states that manual document review takes 3–5 working days.
Do I need a paper train ticket?
China Railway sells electronic tickets. Keep the booking details, but carry the original passport used to purchase the ticket for entry, boarding and exit checks.
How early should I arrive?
There is no single safe time for every station. Leave enough time for security, identity verification and finding the correct waiting area and platform.