How we compare

Booking a China high-speed train ticket as a foreign traveller is genuinely difficult. Here's how the main options stack up.

Best for foreign travellers

China High Speed Train

Designed specifically for international passengers. Passport verification, USD payment, no account needed.

OTA alternative

Trip.com

Large OTA with English UI and international payments, but requires account creation and passport booking can be inconsistent.

Official platform

12306

China Rail's official booking site. Best prices, but Chinese-only interface and requires Chinese payment methods.

Feature

ChinaHST

Trip.com

12306

Book with a foreign passport

Account required, inconsistent

Possible but very difficult

English interface

English available

Chinese only

Pay in USD / international cards

USD + international cards

Chinese payment methods only

Live seat availability

Passport verification included

Manual check by our team

No account needed

Registration required

12306 account required

Ticket delivery by email

Collect at station kiosk

Service fee

Small service fee per ticket

Markup on base fare

Official price, no markup

English customer support

General support, not train-specific

Group / multi-passenger booking

Limited to 5 passengers

Return trip booking

Cancellation / refund support

Per China Rail policy

Direct with rail operator

YesPartial / conditions applyNo

Ready to book your train?

No account needed. Pay in USD. Passport verification included.