High-speed rail
Railway 12306 is the official ticket site. Foreign passports can register for passport real-name tickets. Identity verification can take days — start before you fly. Approval is not guaranteed.
If automatic check fails, upload the bio page and a selfie, or verify at a station window with the original passport. 12306 says passport material review takes 3–5 working days.
12306 says it will not handle problems from other websites. Trip.com is the English agency alternative: easier English and payment, their own support. Official after-sales is still 12306. Do not invent fees — read checkout.
Ordering food on the train
On many high-speed trains (G and D), you can order a meal to your seat in the Railway 12306 app. It may not be available on every train or at every station.
12306 says meal orders can be paid only with Alipay or WeChat Pay. It doesn't say whether foreign cards added to those wallets work, so a meal order may not go through.
For meals from station restaurants, 12306 says to order at least 1 hour before your train reaches that station; some sellers stop earlier.
Once on board, you can also scan the QR code on your seat armrest to order. China Railway says these codes are on all high-speed trains, but what you can order differs by train.
Staff bring the order to the seat on your ticket after the train leaves that station, and may check your ticket or phone number. Delays can happen at busy times.
12306's English website lists ticket services only, with no meal ordering.
Meal ordering rules and availability may change. Last checked 6 Oct 2026.
China Railway, 13 Aug 2026 (Chinese) · 12306 meal ordering agreement (Chinese) · 12306 meal ordering FAQ (Chinese) · 12306 English FAQ
FAQ
Can I register on 12306 with a foreign passport?
Yes. Foreign passports can register on Railway 12306 for passport real-name tickets. Identity verification can take days — start before you fly. Approval is not guaranteed. Official: 12306 English FAQ. Last checked: 2026-09-06.
How long does passport verification take?
12306 says passport material review takes 3–5 working days. That is what 12306 says, not a promise you will pass.
What if verification is still pending?
If automatic check fails, upload the bio page and a selfie, or verify at a station window with the original passport. Pending review may need that station window.
Does starting verification mean I will be approved?
No. This page does not promise approval. Start before you fly because review can take days.
Q Checked replies land here after they are sourced.
A The site keeps the useful ones. Unchecked reports stay off the page.