Transit GuideVerified 2026
How to Book & Board China High-Speed Trains with Foreign Passport
Essential guide for foreign passport holders to buy bullet train tickets through 12306 or a licensed booking service, navigate manual inspection lanes, and locate luggage racks.
Quick Answer & Essential Rules
1
China Railway currently lists both e-tickets and paper tickets; keep the original passport used for booking.
2
If automated passport checks fail, ask for the staffed 人工通道 (Manual Lane).
3
Arrive at train stations 45 to 60 minutes before departure for security and identity verification.
4
Shanghai to Hangzhou is 45 mins; Beijing to Xi’an is 4.5 hrs; Guangzhou to Shenzhen is 30 mins.
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