ChinApps

12306

铁路12306

Official high-speed rail booking

Partial English Foreign cards limited No Chinese number needed

About

China Railway's own app, and the only place to buy tickets at face value with no booking fee. High-speed (高铁) seats for popular routes sell out days ahead, so book early.

Before you go

  1. Register with your passport number and wait for verification — this can take a day, so do it before you travel.
  2. Foreign passport holders must verify their identity at a station counter once before collecting tickets.
  3. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay; foreign cards are frequently declined.

Tips

  • Board with your passport at the gate — no paper ticket needed once you're verified.
  • Second class (二等座) is comfortable; business class is rarely worth the jump in price.
Try Trip.com instead

Books the same trains in English with a small service fee, and accepts foreign cards.

Get it

View on the App Store Official download page

ChinApps is not affiliated with 12306 or its developer. These links go to the public store listing or the developer's own site.

Where this comes up

  • Getting Around — metro, taxis, and the trains worth planning ahead for

← All apps