How to Book High-Speed Rail Tickets in China as a Foreigner (2026)
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A real-world walkthrough using a Chongqing → Dali high-speed train, plus what to do when things go wrong.
Booking high-speed rail in China with a foreign passport? This guide is part of our Transport in China hub, covering trains, metro, DiDi, and the payment and maps setup that make getting around easier.
Quick Answer
The easiest way to book a China high-speed rail ticket as a foreigner is through Trip.com, using your passport number directly — no Chinese phone number or bank card required. The official 12306 app works too, but foreign passport holders need to complete an identity verification step before they can book, and the process can be slower to navigate without fluent Chinese. Below is the full process, using a real Chongqing → Dali route as the example.
12306 vs Trip.com: Which One Should You Use?
| 12306 (Official App) | Trip.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Mostly Chinese; a limited English version exists | Full English interface |
| Registration | Foreign passport holders can register with an email address on the English platform — a Chinese phone number is not strictly required | Passport number only |
| Before you can book | Identity verification ("证件核验") must be completed first | No extra verification needed |
| Payment | Chinese bank card / Alipay / WeChat Pay | International credit cards accepted |
| Booking fee | None | Small service fee on some routes |
| Best for | Travelers willing to navigate a Chinese-language process to avoid the fee | First-time visitors who want a simpler process |
For most foreign travelers, Trip.com is the more reliable starting point. It pulls directly from the same 12306 ticket inventory, so availability and prices are identical — you're paying a small service fee for a smoother booking process, not for different tickets.
→ Book train tickets on Trip.com
Step-by-Step: Booking a Chongqing → Dali Ticket on Trip.com
- Open the Trip.com app or website and go to the "Trains" section.
- Enter "Chongqing" as departure and "Dali" as destination, select your travel date.
- Browse the list of available trains. Note the departure station — Chongqing has multiple stations (more on this below), so check which one your train actually departs from.
- Select your seat class (second class, first class, or business class) and confirm the price.
- Enter passenger details exactly as they appear on your passport — first name, last name, and passport number must match exactly, or check-in may run into problems later.
- Pay with an international credit card.
- Once confirmed, you'll receive an e-ticket confirmation by email and in the app — this is your ticket. There is no paper ticket to collect in most cases.
Traveling With Others? Book Together
If you're traveling with friends or family, book all passengers in the same order rather than making separate bookings. Seats booked together are usually assigned next to each other; separate bookings are often scattered across the carriage. If you do end up split up, ask the train attendant (乘务员) once onboard — they can often help arrange a swap with other passengers.
Before You Book on 12306 (If You Choose To)
If you want to use the official 12306 app instead of Trip.com — for example, to access the candidate ticket ("候补") feature covered below — you'll need to complete identity verification first:
- Download the 12306 app and register an account (foreign passport holders can register using an email address on the English platform).
- Go to "我的" (Me) → "证件核验" (Identity Verification).
- Select "外国护照" (Foreign Passport) and upload a photo of your passport information page.
- Complete the facial verification step.
- Wait for approval — this typically takes up to 24 hours, though it can be faster.
This verification step matters even if you book through Trip.com — a verified passport record makes automatic gate check-in at the station far more likely to work smoothly, which we'll cover next. For the wider picture of why passport checks fail across Chinese systems, see China’s real-name system for foreigners.
Which Station? Chongqing Has More Than One
Many Chinese cities have multiple high-speed rail stations, and Chongqing is a good example: Chongqing North (重庆北站), Chongqing West (重庆西站), and Chongqing South (重庆南站) are all separate stations. Chongqing North and Chongqing West in particular are well connected — a dedicated shuttle train runs between them in about 23 to 26 minutes, and Chongqing North also connects directly to Metro Line 10. Your Chongqing → Dali train may depart from any of the three stations depending on the specific service.
Always double-check the exact station name on your ticket confirmation before heading out. If you do end up at the wrong one, the North–West shuttle is a reasonably fast way to correct course, but it's still better to confirm the station in advance than to rely on it. Station pins and exits are also where Google Maps often fails in China — use Amap if you need turn-by-turn help getting there.
Getting Through the Station: Passport Check-In
Once your passport is verified in the system, many self-service gates at major stations can scan foreign passports directly — look for gates with an e-ticket or passport icon. That said, foreign passports are still hit-or-miss depending on the station and reader. If the gate doesn’t recognize your passport, you haven’t completed verification, or this is your first China train, use the manual staffed lane (人工通道) instead — hand your passport to the staff member, they scan it, and you’re through in about ten seconds.
Practical tips for check-in:
- Boarding gates typically open about 15–20 minutes before departure and often close around 5 minutes before — arrive at least 30 minutes early, or a full hour if this is your first time taking a train in China.
- If you're unsure which gate or platform to use, don't hesitate to show your phone screen (with your e-ticket confirmation open) to any station staff member — most will point you in the right direction even without shared language.
- If a gate scan fails, keep your e-ticket confirmation email or SMS ready — staff can manually verify your name and train number against it.
On the train, window seats are usually A and F, aisle seats C and D. Most carriages have a free boiling-water dispenser — bring a reusable bottle if you can. One hard rule at security: power banks over 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) are confiscated, not just flagged.
What If the Tickets Are Sold Out?
Around holidays or for popular routes, tickets can sell out fast — Chongqing to Dali is a popular tourist corridor, so this is worth planning for.
Use the candidate ticket ("候补") feature. This is an official 12306 waitlist system: when a train shows as sold out, you can submit a candidate order specifying which trains and dates you'd accept, along with prepayment for the estimated fare. If a seat opens up — from a cancellation, refund, or added capacity — it's automatically allocated to waiting orders in queue order. One detail worth knowing: fulfillment isn't open-ended — it stops no later than 20 minutes before departure, so don't treat it as a guarantee right up to boarding time. Each traveler can hold up to 6 candidate orders at once, each covering up to 3 travel dates, for a combined total of up to 60 train combinations. Make sure to select the option to accept "newly added trains" (接受新增列车), as this noticeably improves your chances.
Try booking one station earlier or later. Sometimes tickets for the exact Chongqing–Dali segment are sold out, but seats are available on the same train if you book from one stop earlier or get off one stop later. This works because seat inventory is sometimes allocated differently by segment. The tradeoff is extra travel time on either end, so it's best treated as a backup plan rather than a first choice.
Consider a ride-hailing option for shorter distances. If the gap is not too large — for example, traveling within the same province — apps like Didi or Amap's carpool feature can be a practical fallback. This usually requires a phone number that can receive verification codes, so it's worth setting up in advance rather than scrambling for it at the last minute. For the broader DiDi workflow (and why English addresses often fail), see the China Transport Guide.
If you’re stitching several cities together and inventory keeps shifting, sketch the route first — then book the legs that matter most. → Plan my China trip
Quick Reference: Chinese Phrases for the Station
| Situation | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Which gate for this train? | 这个车次是哪个检票口？ | Zhège chēcì shì nǎge jiǎnpiàokǒu? |
| My passport won't scan | 我的护照刷不过 | Wǒ de hùzhào shuā bu guò |
| I need the manual gate | 我需要人工通道 | Wǒ xūyào réngōng tōngdào |
| Is this the right station? | 这是对的车站吗？ | Zhè shì duì de chēzhàn ma? |
FAQ
What’s the easiest way for foreigners to book China high-speed rail tickets?
Trip.com. English interface, passport booking, and international cards — with the same ticket inventory as 12306.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to book train tickets?
Not on Trip.com. On 12306, foreign passport holders can often register with an email on the English platform, but identity verification is still required before booking.
Can foreign passports open the automatic ticket gates?
Often yes once your passport is verified in the system — but it’s not guaranteed at every station. If the scan fails, use the manual lane (人工通道).
How early should I arrive at the station?
At least 30 minutes before departure; a full hour if it’s your first China train. Gates usually open 15–20 minutes before and may close about 5 minutes before departure.
What if my Chongqing–Dali train is sold out?
Use 12306’s candidate ticket (候补) waitlist, try booking one stop earlier or later on the same train, or fall back to DiDi/Amap carpool for shorter gaps.
Should I book 12306 or Trip.com?
First-time visitors: Trip.com. Travelers comfortable navigating Chinese apps who want waitlist features and no service fee: 12306 after identity verification.
Does my name have to match my passport exactly?
Yes. Use the spelling in the machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport. One wrong character can block gate check-in.
Related Guides
Planning the rest of your China trip? These guides pair well with train booking:
- Transport in China — hub for trains, metro, and DiDi
- China Transport Guide for Foreigners — full overview of getting around
- Payments in China — Alipay, WeChat Pay, and card backups
- China’s Real-Name System for Foreigners — why passport verification matters
- Why Google Maps Doesn’t Work Well in China — station pins and exits that actually work
- China Trip Prep Checklist — eSIM, payments, bookings in one place
Based on firsthand booking and travel experience on this route — Chongqing West (重庆西站) to Dali station on 1 August 2026 — by Joy Liu, founder of Hidden China Travel.
Last updated: August 2026. Train booking apps, passport gate support, and waitlist rules can change — confirm details in Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.