Getting those much-need train tickets is now a possibility. As of mid-2011, we are seeing more and more HSR lines in China coming with the option of online booking. And because it’s all online, this further paves the way for mobile booking. Let others stand in front of the window — while you pull out your iPhone and finalize your ticket order in front of the station — how cool is that!?
WHAT’S AVAILABLE ONLINE?
- As of 30 September 2011, all tickets for D trains nationwide will be available.
- Before then, HSR tickets on some popular lines, including Beijing-Tianjin, Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Hong Kong (Wuhan-Guangzhou only), Xuzhou-Lanzhou (Zhengzhou-Xi’an only), Guangzhou-Shenzhen, Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou, amongst others, will be made available.
- You can buy regular tickets for adults, as well as special price or discounted tickets for kids, students, and disabled mainland servicepersons.
WHAT’S NEEDED?
You’ll need:
- a computer with Internet access (Mac users: we’re sorry to say you’ll have to sign up for a 12306.cn account on a PC first, although logging in on Macs works)
- a relatively modern browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer works better)
- for riders on C, D or G trains, ID: this will be your PRC resident ID (a foreigner’s “green card” for China, alas, won’t work (yet)); your mainland permit for riders from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan; or your passport (US citizens: we can’t be sure if a Passport Card works)
- ideally, a Chinese mainland bank or credit card with the “web purchase” option enabled
Note: If you’re buying tickets for your kids, the ID requirement does not apply — for your kids, of course.
WHEN CAN YOU BUY ONLINE?
Ideally, you’d be able to pick up a ticket at 03:21 in the morning — as this is, well, you know, the Internet! Sadly, for the moment, that’s yet to come. The online ticketing system works only from 05:00 through to 24:00; if you’re buying a ticket at 03:21 (indeed!), you’ll need to secretly sneak over to a 24-hour station (only a few stations in China are open that long — try the big, major ones like Beijing and Shanghai).