For expats living in China
Book China train tickets with your foreign card
Living or working in China? You don't need 12306, WeChat Pay, or a Chinese bank account. Book any high-speed train in English and pay with Visa, Mastercard, or Amex.
Why expats can't use 12306 — and how we fix it
12306 rejects your card
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Apple Pay / Google Pay — any international card works.
The app is Chinese-only
Our entire platform is in English. No Mandarin required at any step of the booking.
WeChat Pay / Alipay not set up
No Chinese payment app needed. Pay directly on our site and we handle the rest.
Tickets sell out fast for busy routes
We book immediately on your behalf through licensed China Railway partners — same availability as 12306.
Popular routes among expats
Whether it's a weekend trip or a regular business commute, these are the routes expats book most.
The classic business corridor — G-trains every 30 min
Weekend escape from Shanghai, stunning West Lake
Daily commute between GBA cities
Weekend trips from Beijing — fast and cheap
History, culture, easy day-trip from Shanghai
Popular among expats in Southwest China
How it works
Search your route
Enter your departure city, destination and travel date. We show live G-train schedules — same as 12306, in English.
Choose your seat class
Second class, first class or business class. We show real-time availability and the full price including our service fee upfront.
Enter passenger details
Your passport name, number and nationality — exactly as printed. Upload a photo of your passport data page (required by China Railway).
Pay with any international card
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payment is processed by Airwallex, a globally licensed payment provider.
Receive your e-ticket within 24 hours
We book through licensed China Railway partners and email your e-ticket. At the station, scan your passport at the gate — no paper ticket needed on most routes.
Station tips by city
Most major cities have multiple stations. Here's what expats need to know.
Beijing
Book from Beijing South — it serves all major G-train routes. Beijing North is smaller and mainly serves Zhangjiakou.
Shanghai
Most intercity G-trains use Hongqiao. Shanghai station (old) mainly handles slower services to southern destinations.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou South is the main HSR hub. Guangzhou East serves Kowloon through-trains to Hong Kong.
Shenzhen
Shenzhen North for most HSR. Futian station sits in the business district and is convenient for Hong Kong border crossings.
Chengdu
Chengdu East handles most HSR departures. The new Chengdu West station opened in 2024 for some western routes.
Booking for your team?
Many foreign companies in China use us to book business travel for expat employees and visiting colleagues. You can add multiple passengers in a single booking, or contact us for volume arrangements.
Expat FAQ
Do I need a Chinese phone number to book?
No. We only need your passport details and an international email address. No SMS verification to a Chinese number, no local SIM required.
Can I book for colleagues or family members too?
Yes — you can add multiple passengers in a single booking. Each passenger needs their own passport details. Ideal for business travel and family trips.
I already have a Chinese bank card. Can I still use your service?
Absolutely. Many expats prefer our English interface even with a local card — it's just easier. And if you're booking for visiting family or foreign colleagues, we're the only option.
How do I collect the ticket at the station?
Most routes now use e-tickets — you scan your passport at the automated gate, no paper ticket needed. On a small number of routes, a physical ticket must be collected at the ticket window with your passport. We'll tell you exactly which applies to your journey.
What if my plans change and I need to cancel?
China Railway allows cancellations before departure with a fee (5–20% depending on timing). Email us and we'll process the refund through the railway on your behalf.
Can my company use this for employee travel?
Yes. Contact us at support@chinahighspeedtrain.com for volume bookings or to discuss a corporate arrangement.
Ready to book your next trip?
Search live schedules and pay with your international card in under 3 minutes.
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