How to Get On/Off the High Speed Train in China

You've probably already been impressed by China's cool and super-fast high-speed trains and are eager to try this convenient mode of transportation during your trip. But is it complicated or troublesome to board and disembark from a high-speed train? NOT AT ALL! You don't need to worry about anything — the process is smooth and straightforward, ensuring you have a pleasant journey. While language can sometimes be a barrier when traveling in another country, taking high-speed trains in China is not difficult. In fact, boarding and disembarking are much simpler than the process at an airport. Follow these easy steps, and you'll find it as simple as ABC.

To make your experience even easier, consider taking our private China high-speed train tour package. Our local guides at China Discovery will escort you to the right train station on time and pick you up at the arrival hall when your train reaches its destination.

Top China High Speed Train Tours:

• ● 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High Speed Train Tour
• ● 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
• ● 5 Days Classic Tour by Xian Chengdu High Speed Train
• ● 9 Days Pandas Terracotta Warriors Great Wall Encounter
• ● 6 Days In-depth Guilin Tour from Hong Kong
• ● 9 Days East China & Yellow Mountain Tour

Get On a High Speed Train in China

Here's a detailed breakdown of each step for taking a high-speed train in China — from documents and tickets to check-in, security, boarding, and finding your seat. Follow these instructions, and you'll have a clear understanding of how to board and disembark from a train with ease.

Get On Your High Speed Train Step by Step

1) Prepare Your Passport and Train Information

In China, all train tickets are booked under a real-name system, so you won't need a paper ticket anymore. Your passport will be used for identity verification. Whether you book your ticket through the 12306 app (or website) or through an agent, you'll receive details about your train, including the train number, departure and arrival stations, departure and arrival times, coach number, and seat number. It's a good idea to take a screenshot or write down this information to have it handy.

Detailed Train Information from 12306

2) Get to the Right Train Station in Advance

Make sure you know which train station you need to go to - major cities like Beijing have multiple stations, including Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West, and Beijing South, so double-check your ticket information. It's best to arrive at the station at least 60 minutes before departure, especially if it's your first time. For busy cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi'an, arrive 1.5 hours early, or even 2 hours during peak travel times, especially during Chinese Public Holidays like the Spring Festival or National Holidays, when stations are particularly crowded.

Read more about China Train Station Layout, Transportation, Facilities in major tourist cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hong Kong.

3) Pass Through the Identity Check

To enter the train station, you'll need to pass an identity check. Simply scan your passport at the entrance. Major train stations in top tourist destinations or large cities typically have automated systems for verification. The machine will compare your face to the photo on your passport. If you're at a smaller station without auto-verification, or if there's an issue with the system, you can proceed to the manual check counter, where staff will assist you.

4) Pass Through Security Check & Luggage Check

After the identity check, you'll go through a security screening, similar to airport procedures. Place your luggage on the scanner and walk through the metal detector. You can keep your coat, belt, and shoes on, but you may be asked to remove your hat for inspection. Security staff may also do a quick body scan with a handheld device.

Every passengers can carry some luggage for free when board the high speed train. Moreover, the size, weight and limitations of items are more pleasant than that for boarding a plane. Please have a good notice the detailed amount, size and limited and prohibited items at below.

• ● Regular passengers can take 20 kg carry-on luggage, children can take 10 kg carry-on luggage, and 35 kg for diplomat.
• ● For bullet trains, every piece of luggage (length, width and height) cannot exceed 160 cm in size and 20 kg in weight.
• ● Passengers can take wheelchairs onboard for free and not listed as the above limitations.

>> Check more about Baggage Allowance & Policies for China Trains

• ● Prohibited Items: (a) Items is prohibited by the government; (b) Dangerous Items such as, knives, guns, offensive weapons; (c) Animals (except guided dogs) and goods which affect public hygiene, including items with odor like foul smell; (d) Goods may pollute and disorder railway stations, dirty carriages and affect traffic inside carriages; (e) Luggage that exceeds the limitation of the regulation.
• ● Limited Items: (a) Less than 5 lighters and less than 20 boxes of matchstick; (b) Items like enamel, deluster, tint, less than 20 ml; alcohol and cold fine, less than 100 ml; mousse, styling gel, hygienic insecticide, air freshener, less than 600 ml; (c) Less than 20 newborn poultries.

5) Find the Right Waiting Room and Boarding Gate

After security, locate the LED display boards indicating your train's departure boarding gate. In larger stations, these boards alternate between English and Chinese. Smaller stations may only display information in Chinese, but you can easily identify your train number and departure time. Once you've found your gate, proceed to the designated waiting area. When boarding time approaches, the status will display "Check in" (正在检票). Follow the staff's guidance to the ticket check and boarding gate.

>> Check more about Baggage Allowance & Policies for China Trains

6) Ticket Check for Getting on the Train

Around 10-30 minutes before departure, your train will be marked as "Check in" (正在检票) on the display boards. The staff will announce boarding information via the station's PA system. The gates typically close 3-8 minutes before departure, and after that, the status will change to "Stop Checking" (停止检票). Make sure you're at the gate in time to board.

7) Get to the Right Platform

Your high-speed train usually stops just below your boarding gate. From there, you can either walk down the stairs or take the elevators or escalators to reach the platform. In larger stations, you may need to walk a bit longer, but there will be clear signs to guide you in the right direction, so make sure to remember your train number. In smaller cities, some boarding gates are on the same level as the platform, so after passing through ticket control, you can simply walk through the gate and step directly onto the platform.

8) Board Your Train

Once you reach the platform, follow the signs to find your correct train coach (车厢). High-speed trains typically have 8-16 coaches, and you can move freely between coaches 1-8 and coaches 9-16. However, you cannot cross between the two sections - coaches 8 and 9 are separated. If you're in a hurry, feel free to board the train, but make sure to enter through a coach that allows you to access your designated coach. For example, if your seat is in coach 4, you won't be able to reach it from coach 9. Always stay behind the safety line on the platform and be cautious around moving trains.

Click to See How to Find Your Train Coach & Board

9) Find Your Seats

Inside the train, check the seat number (座位号) displayed above each row. Your seat will be in one of five columns: A, B, and C are together (A by the window, B in the middle, C by the aisle); D and F are together (F by the window, D by the aisle). If you have large luggage, store it in the overhead rack or in the luggage compartments at the ends of the coaches.

>> Check more Details about Classes of Seat on High Speed Trains

Click to See How to Find Your Seat Number in Your Coach

10) Enjoy the High Speed Train Trip

Now, everything is ok! Sit on there relaxed and enjoy your inspiring high speed train in China. Feel the smoothness of the train riding and appreciate the beautiful landscape of the villages, natural field, hills, etc. outside your window.

>> Check more about Facilities, Food & Services on High Speed Trains

 

Disembarking from High Speed Train

Getting off a high speed train is much easier than getting on it! Check how to disembark the train at below.

Get Off Your High Speed Train Step by Step

1) Watch Your Stop

2) Get Off Your Train

Please remember to take your whole luggage and all belongs with you when embark the high speed train. In a stop at a large city like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, etc. or the terminus stop, you could take your time to avoid the crowed in the aisle and train exit. However, it has usually only 2-3 minutes' stop in a not very big train station. If so, please get off the train with all your baggage as quick and safe as possible. If you feel it a little hurry, you are suggested take your luggage to wait at the train door as it gives the announcement.

Once you land on the platform, you will see clear signs above head showing you the way out. To make it simpler, you can just follow the crowd and then successfully get to the correct exit for ticket checking again.

3) Check Your Train Ticket at the Gate Machine

Before you walk out of the train station, you are required to check your ticket again for exit by scanning your passport. Just do like you check your ticket before getting on a train. Please choose a machine with green light at the slot. Machines with slot with red light are not available temporarily. If your ticket cannot go through the checking machine successfully, please go through the manual checking passage.

4) Ground Transportation

How to Plan Your China Train Travel with China Discovery

Since there are so many tourist cities connected by high speed rail network, tourist have lots of choices and routes to experience the super fast, comfortable and fashionable high speed trains. China Discovery offers you featured high speed train tours in different routes, length, themes and landscape.

If it's your first time to visit China, Beijing, Shanghai and Xian are the top recommended destinations to enjoy the newest Gaotie and most representative attractions in China. It takes about 4.5-6 hours from Beijing to Shanghai or Xian by high speed train, and Shanghai Xian express needs about 6-7 hours. You can experience the top standard seat - Business Class Seats to enjoy the half day train travel. Here is our 6 Days Beijing Shanghai High Speed Train Tour and 8 Days Best of China Tour. If you want to an in-depth train trip to discover more interesting cities, you can have a new Hong Kong Guilin Train Tour, an Ancient Silk Road Tour (15 Days Classic Ancient China Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train Experience) and ethnic culture tour in Yunnan. Check updated train schedules and route to get inspired for you China train tour!