Beijing to Tianjin Train: Times, Tickets & Prices
The fastest train from Beijing to Tianjin takes 30 min, with 200+ departures a day and second-class fares from ¥35. Tickets only go on sale 15 days ahead — check your booking window below before you plan around this leg.
Fastest
30 min
Trains / day
200+
From
¥35
Stations: Beijing South (北京南) serves Shanghai and Tianjin trains; Beijing West (北京西) serves Xi'an. Most intercity trains use Tianjin (天津) station downtown; some serve Tianjin West or Tianjin South.
China's first 350 km/h intercity line — metro-style frequency, no need to plan ahead outside holidays.
Route length: ~122 km · typical journey 35 min
Travelling the other way? Tianjin to Beijing →
When can you book this trip?
China Railway sells tickets just 15 days ahead (counting the travel day). Pick your Beijing → Tianjin travel date and see the exact day booking opens:
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.
The presale window is occasionally adjusted around major holidays and timetable changes — details on the ticket release date calculator.
How to book
12306 — the official channel. The 12306 website and app are China Railway's only official online sellers. They accept foreign passports for real-name booking and have an English version. No paper ticket needed — your passport is your ticket at the gates.
Trip.com — easier interface. Trip.com's Beijing–Tianjin page resells the same seats with a small service fee, international cards accepted and English support — a reasonable trade if 12306 registration gives you trouble.
Avoid unofficial agents. Nobody can get you a seat that 12306 says is sold out — seats do return to the pool as refunds come in, so keep re-checking instead.
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 |
Booking the moment sales open is low-risk — changes more than 8 days out cost nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Beijing to Tianjin take?
The fastest train takes 30 min, and most services take around 35 min. There are 200+ departures a day.
How much is the train from Beijing to Tianjin?
Second-class fares start from ¥35 (¥35–54.5 second class depending on train; ¥54.5 is the standard non-stop fare from beijing south). China Railway floats fares by train and date, so check the exact price for your departure.
How far in advance can I book the Beijing to Tianjin train?
China train tickets go on sale only 15 days ahead, counting the travel day — i.e. 14 days before departure. On release day, tickets appear between 08:00 and 18:00 Beijing time depending on the departure station.
Which stations does the Beijing to Tianjin train use?
Beijing South (北京南) serves Shanghai and Tianjin trains; Beijing West (北京西) serves Xi'an. Most intercity trains use Tianjin (天津) station downtown; some serve Tianjin West or Tianjin South.
Can foreigners book the Beijing to Tianjin train with a passport?
Yes. The official 12306 website and app accept foreign passports for real-name booking and have an English version. International platforms like Trip.com resell the same seats with a small service fee. Your passport is your ticket at station gates.
More train routes from Beijing
Before you ride: check your visa, pick an eSIM, set up Alipay/WeChat Pay (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.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may become affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you. Route facts come from the dated sources above, never from commission rates.
Disclaimer: This page is general information. Timetables and fares change — the figures above are "from" prices and approximate frequencies, verified on the date shown against the sources listed. Always confirm on 12306 or your booking platform 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.