Tool 05
When do China train tickets go on sale?
China train tickets go on sale just 15 days before travel, counting the travel day itself — far shorter than most people plan trips. Pick your travel date and we'll tell you the exact day booking opens, so high-speed rail doesn't become the gap in your itinerary.
Booking opens June 27, 2026
Tickets for July 11, 2026 go on sale in 16 days (Beijing time). On that day, tickets are released between 08:00 and 18:00 depending on the departure station — look up your station's exact time. Set a reminder: popular routes can sell out within minutes around holidays.
How ticket sales work
The 15-day window. China Railway sells tickets 15 days ahead, counting the travel day — i.e. exactly 14 days before departure. The window is occasionally adjusted around big holidays and timetable changes (always announced in advance), so re-check close to peak seasons.
Staggered release times.On sale-open day, tickets don't all appear at midnight — each departure station releases between 08:00 and 18:00 Beijing time at hour/half-hour slots. Look up your station on 12306.
Book on the official platform. The 12306 website and app are the only official online sellers, accept foreign passports and have an English version. International booking platforms resell the same seats with a service fee and an easier interface — fine too, but book somewhere official-adjacent, never from unofficial “agents” promising sold-out tickets.
Refund fees, official rates
| Cancelling | Fee |
|---|---|
| 8 days or more before departure | Free |
| 48 hours – 8 days before | 5% of the fare |
| 24 – 48 hours before | 10% of the fare |
| Less than 24 hours before | 20% of the fare |
So booking the moment sales open is low-risk: changes more than 8 days out cost nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance can I book China train tickets?
The presale period is 15 days including the travel day — so tickets for a given date go on sale 14 days before, on the official 12306 platform. The railway occasionally adjusts this window around major holidays or timetable changes, always with advance notice.
What time of day do tickets go on sale?
Release times are staggered by departure station: new tickets appear between 08:00 and 18:00 Beijing time, at hour and half-hour slots. Each station has a fixed slot — check yours on 12306's official sale-time lookup.
Can foreigners book on 12306 with a passport?
Yes. 12306 (website and app) accepts valid foreign passports for real-name ticket purchase, and an English version is available. Your passport is also your ticket — you swipe it at station gates.
How much does it cost to refund a ticket?
Refunds are free 8 or more days before departure, then 5% (48 hours–8 days), 10% (24–48 hours) and 20% (under 24 hours) of the fare.
What if my route sells out the moment sales open?
Around holidays that happens — book the minute your departure station's slot opens. Seats also reappear closer to departure as refunds come back into the pool, so it's worth re-checking.
Riding a specific route? See times, fares and stations on our China train route guides — Beijing–Shanghai, Hong Kong–Guangzhou and more.
Planning the rest of the trip? Trains are step four — first check your visa, pick an eSIM, set up payments (you'll pay for tickets with them), and sort your arrival card.
Official sources
Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.
Disclaimer: This page is general information. Sale windows and fees change — verify with the official 12306 sources above before planning around them. Ready Set Chinais an independent information site: we don't sell, book or procure tickets, and we're not affiliated with China Railway or any government.