China High Speed Train Ticket Cancellation - Documents, Policy & Charges

Sometimes you need to cancel your train ticket booking. Don't worry, the below details will give you everything about ticket cancellation.

China Train Ticket Cancellation Policy & Charges

Tickets purchased on 12306.cn that have not been checked can have their cancellation processed before the train's departure through either the 12306.cn website or designated ticket windows at railway stations.

In which situations is ticket cancellation not allowed?

● After the departure of the train from the origin station printed on the ticket;
● Tickets that have been changed after the train's departure;
● Additional fare charges;
● Tickets for fare difference.

Documents and Charges Required for Cancellation

When canceling tickets at the railway station ticket window, if the passenger cancels in person, they need to present the valid ID document used for purchasing the ticket. If someone else is canceling on behalf of the passenger, they need to present their own valid ID document as well as the passenger's valid ID document used for purchasing the ticket originally.

Cancellation Fee Schedule:

1. For tickets cancelled 8 days or more before the scheduled departure time, no cancellation fee will be charged.
2. For tickets cancelled more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of the station printed on the ticket, a cancellation fee of 5% of the ticket price will be charged.
3. For tickets cancelled between 24 to 48 hours before scheduled departure time, a cancellation fee of 10% of the ticket price will be charged.
4. For tickets cancelled less than 24 hours before scheduled departure time, a cancellation fee of 20% of the ticket price will be charged.

How to Cancel Train Ticket Online

12306.cn provides ticket cancellation service if your ticket is booked through the website.

How to Cancel at Ticket Window - Cancellation Windows (退票窗口)

You should queue in front of ticket cancellation windows (退票窗口) inside the ticket office (售票厅) of train stations. Always long queues in front of the counters there, especially during holidays. Give your documents and ticket to the staffs, and they will help you deal with the rest. If you paid by cash, you will get the cash back; if paid by bank account, the money will go back to your account. Most railway stations open 24 hours in a day, but there are a few ticket windows available after 11:00pm.

Only a few staffs can speak English, so you can show the below sentences when you encounter with some language barrier:

● English: Hello, I couldn't find the ticket office, could you help me?

Chinese: 你好！我找不到售票厅，可以帮下我吗？

● English: Hello, I want to cancel my train ticket, is this the correct line?

Chinese: 你好！我想要退票，请问是在这里排队吗？

● English: Hello, I want to make a cancellation. Here are my passport and ticket, thank you!

Chinese: 你好！这是我的护照和车票，我想退票，谢谢！

How to Cancel China High Speed Train Tickets

If you have any other problems about how to cancel your train tickets, feel free to contact our professional travel expert for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book China high-speed train tickets as a foreigner?

You can book through the official 12306 app (passport registration required), at train station ticket counters with your passport, or through WeTrip's booking service. We recommend booking 5-10 days in advance for popular routes.

What's the difference between G, D, and C trains in China?

G-trains (Gaotie) are the fastest at 300-350 km/h, D-trains (Dongche) run at 200-250 km/h, and C-trains (Chengji) are intercity trains at 200 km/h. G-trains offer the most comfortable experience with business, first, and second class seats.

Can I use my passport to board a Chinese train?

Yes, foreign passports are accepted at automated ticket gates in most major stations. Simply scan your passport at the gate. Some smaller stations still require manual verification at staffed counters.

What's the Beijing to Shanghai bullet train schedule?

There are 50+ daily G-trains between Beijing and Shanghai, running from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The journey takes 4-5.5 hours depending on stops. Second class tickets start from ¥553 (~$77 USD).