https://chinacheatsheet.com/en/travel/Recent content in China Travel Guides on China Cheat SheetHugo -- gohugo.ioenFri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://chinacheatsheet.com/en/travel/china-train-tickets-for-foreigners/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://chinacheatsheet.com/en/travel/china-train-tickets-for-foreigners/<h1 id="buying-china-train-tickets-as-a-foreigner-12306-guide">Buying China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (12306 Guide) </h1><p><strong>Short version:</strong> If you hold a <strong>valid foreign passport</strong>, you can buy most China rail tickets on the <strong>official 12306 website or Railway 12306 app</strong> (English flows exist), pay in <strong>CNY</strong> with common wallets or card brands listed in government guides, and <strong>board with the same ID</strong> you used to book. You <strong>cannot</strong> rely on automatic ticket machines for passport pickup in China—use a <strong>station counter</strong>. If online payment fails, the <strong>ticket window</strong> remains the reliable fallback. Always book through <strong>12306</strong>, not unofficial resellers, unless you consciously accept their fees and terms.</p>