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Buying high speed train tickets online

Can a foreigner reserve high speed train tickets while overseas or in China, online? What is the site to do so? Thanks

Yes, foreigners can reserve high-speed train tickets in China both from overseas and while in China. However, there are some important details to keep in mind regarding how to do this and the limitations involved.

Online booking options for foreigners:

  • Trip.com: This is the most popular and user-friendly platform for foreigners. You can book tickets using your passport, choose your seat type, and pay with international credit cards. Tickets can be collected at the station using your passport or, in some cases, e-tickets with QR codes for certain trains.
  • China Railway official website (12306.cn): This is the official site, but it has limited English support and requires registration with a Chinese mobile phone number. It is generally more convenient for those already in China or with local phone access.
  • WeChat or Alipay mini-programs: Some foreigners with local payment options or Chinese bank cards can use these, but they are less convenient than Trip.com for overseas booking.

Key points when booking:

  • Reservations can usually be made up to 30 days in advance for high-speed trains. Some platforms may allow 60 days.
  • You will need your passport number to book and to collect tickets at the station.
  • While online reservations are possible, ticket collection is required at the train station unless the platform offers e-ticket QR code usage for certain stations.

Overall, for most foreigners traveling from overseas, Trip.com is the most convenient and reliable platform for reserving high-speed train tickets in China.

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