Step 4 of 9 · Trains · 15 days before

Illustration of the nose of a Chinese bullet train waiting at the platform

China bullet train, times and tickets

Q: When do train tickets go on sale?

15 days ahead, counting the travel day. The time depends on the departure station. On Trip.com you can order early and they buy it for you as soon as sales open.

Q: Do I need to print my ticket?

No. Your passport is the ticket. You show it at the station entrance and at the platform gate. Get there 30 to 45 minutes early, an hour on your first trip, as there is a security check and the gate closes a few minutes before departure.

Q: Can I bring big suitcases?

Yes, at no extra cost. The rule is up to 20 kg per person, and on bullet trains each bag should be no more than 130 cm in length, width and height added up. There is room above the seats and at the end of the car. A medium case is easier.

Q: Trip.com or 12306?

12306 is the official site, with no fee and an English version, but signing up is fiddly. Trip.com works in English and Spanish, takes your card and lets you order before sales open, though it may add a small fee.

Q: First or second class?

Second class is comfortable and clean, with five seats per row and power sockets. First class has four per row and more legroom, for quite a bit more. Business class has lie-flat seats but costs far more.

Q: Train or plane?

For trips up to about 6 hours, take the bullet train. It leaves from the city centre and you do not need to arrive as early. For long hops, like Chengdu to Shanghai or to Guilin, fly. Domestic flights can be booked any time.

Q: What time do tickets go on sale?

15 days ahead, at a set time that depends on the departure station, between 8 am and 6 pm Beijing time. This tool shows it in your local time.

Q: What if the train is full?

Join the waitlist on 12306 or Trip.com, try other times or first class, and look at nearby stations. Seats often free up in the last few days.

Q: Do children pay?

Children under 6 without a seat ride free, one per adult. Ages 6 to 14 pay a child fare, about half price. From 14, full fare. Every child needs their own passport.

Bullet train with your passport as the ticket, flights for long hops.

By Armando Pacheco, who lives in Shanghai · Reviewed 15 Oct 2026

44 s · No sound · Shows the same as the text

Trains in China, when tickets go on sale

Train tickets open 15 days ahead, counting the travel day.
Each station opens at its own time. Beijing West at 8 am and Beijing South at 12.45 pm Beijing time, according to China Daily. For you, 00:00 and 04:45.
On Trip.com you can order early. If it is full, join the waitlist. On 12306, the official rail site, each traveller can have up to 6 waitlist requests.

Work out when your tickets go on sale

FromToTravel date

Tuesday 3 November · 00:00 your timeThey open 15 days ahead, counting the travel day.

Bullet train · 4 h 30
About 587 ¥ (78 €) second class, fastest train
Your passport is the ticket. Nothing to print.
On Trip.com you can order early and they buy it when sales open.

Remind me that dayTrain tickets → Trip.comYou book with Trip.com. They handle your booking.

At the station

Get to the station an hour early. There are security and passport checks.

Fly the long hops, take the metro in town

For long hops, like Chengdu to Shanghai, flying is better.
In town, take the metro with your Alipay code and taxis with DiDi, inside Alipay.

Search trains → Trip.comYou book with Trip.com. They handle your booking.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026.

Last checked October 2026 against official sources.

0 / 9 steps done

Questions about trains

When do train tickets go on sale?

15 days ahead, counting the travel day. The time depends on the departure station. On Trip.com you can order early and they buy it for you as soon as sales open.

Do I need to print my ticket?

No. Your passport is the ticket. You show it at the station entrance and at the platform gate. Get there 30 to 45 minutes early, an hour on your first trip, as there is a security check and the gate closes a few minutes before departure.

Can I bring big suitcases?

Yes, at no extra cost. The rule is up to 20 kg per person, and on bullet trains each bag should be no more than 130 cm in length, width and height added up. There is room above the seats and at the end of the car. A medium case is easier.

Trip.com or 12306?

12306 is the official site, with no fee and an English version, but signing up is fiddly. Trip.com works in English and Spanish, takes your card and lets you order before sales open, though it may add a small fee.

First or second class?

Second class is comfortable and clean, with five seats per row and power sockets. First class has four per row and more legroom, for quite a bit more. Business class has lie-flat seats but costs far more.

Train or plane?

For trips up to about 6 hours, take the bullet train. It leaves from the city centre and you do not need to arrive as early. For long hops, like Chengdu to Shanghai or to Guilin, fly. Domestic flights can be booked any time.

See 4 more questions

What time do tickets go on sale?

15 days ahead, at a set time that depends on the departure station, between 8 am and 6 pm Beijing time. This tool shows it in your local time.

What if the train is full?

Join the waitlist on 12306 or Trip.com, try other times or first class, and look at nearby stations. Seats often free up in the last few days.

How much is the bullet train?

In second class, Beijing to Xi'an costs 515 to 578 yuan, around €69 to €77, and Beijing to Shanghai 626 to 695 yuan, around €83 to €93. The price depends on the train and the time. First class costs 60 to 75% more.

Do children pay?

Children under 6 without a seat ride free, one per adult. Ages 6 to 14 pay a child fare, about half price. From 14, full fare. Every child needs their own passport.