How to Board a High-Speed Train Using Your E-Ticket and Passport

Once you've booked your ticket on

View Guide →, boarding is straightforward — your passport is your ticket at every checkpoint. No printing required. Here's what to expect from the moment you arrive at the station.

At the Station Entrance

1. 1. Find the security checkpoint

   All Chinese train stations require a security check before entering the main hall. Look for the X-ray machines and metal detectors at the entrance. This is similar to airport security — bags go through the scanner, you walk through the detector.

2. 2. Show your passport at security

   At the security checkpoint, show your passport to the officer. They'll scan it to verify you have a valid ticket. Keep your passport accessible — you'll need it multiple times.

3. 3. Enter the main waiting hall

   After security, you're in the main hall. Find your train on the departure board — look for your train number (e.g. G1, D301). The board shows the platform number (候车室/检票口) and boarding time.

Finding Your Platform and Boarding

1. 1. Go to the correct waiting area

   Chinese stations have numbered waiting areas (候车室) corresponding to platforms. Find the waiting area for your train number on the departure board. Sit and wait until boarding is announced — usually 15–20 minutes before departure.

2. 2. Pass through the ticket gate

   When boarding is announced, join the queue at the gate. Insert your passport into the reader at the gate — the machine reads the chip or barcode. The gate opens automatically. If it doesn't open, show your passport to the staff member at the gate.

3. 3. Find your carriage and seat

   Your ticket shows your carriage number (车厢) and seat number (座位). Carriage numbers are displayed on the platform and on the outside of each carriage. Walk along the platform to find your carriage, then board and find your seat.

On the Train

Your seat number is printed on your booking confirmation in the 12306 app. The format is: carriage number + seat letter/number (e.g. 05C means carriage 5, seat C).

Seat layout in Second Class:

• Seats A and F are window seats
• Seats C and D are aisle seats
• Seat B is the middle seat in a row of 3

Arriving at Your Destination

When you arrive, exit through the arrival gates. Again, insert your passport into the reader or show it to staff. Follow signs for the exit (出口) or connecting transport.

Practical Tips

• Screenshot your ticket: Before entering the station, screenshot your booking confirmation in 12306. You'll need the train number, carriage, and seat number — and you may not have signal inside the station.
• Passport must be physical: You need your actual passport at every gate — a photo on your phone is not accepted.
• Large stations: Major stations like Beijing South or Shanghai Hongqiao are enormous. Allow extra time to find your platform, especially if it's your first time.
• Luggage: There are no luggage checks on trains. Bags go in the overhead rack or the space at the end of the carriage. There's no weight limit, but very large bags may not fit in the overhead rack.
• Food and drink: You can bring food onto the train. There's also a dining car on most G trains, and staff walk through selling snacks and hot meals.