Getting between cities
Bullet train with your passport as the ticket, flights for long hops.
- Train tickets open 15 days ahead, counting the travel day.
- Beijing West opens at 8 am and Beijing South at 12.45 pm Beijing time. For you, 01:00 and 05:45.
- On Trip.com you can order early. If it is full, join the waitlist, up to 6 at once.
- Get to the station an hour early. There are security and passport checks.
- 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.
Last checked October 2026 against official sources.
Questions about getting between cities
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.