Key facts, verified
China train tickets: refund and change fees
| Refund (退票) · Time before departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 8 days or more | Free |
| 48 hours – 8 days | 5% |
| 24–48 hours | 10% |
| Under 24 hours | 20% |
Minimum fee ¥2
| Change (改签) | Fee |
|---|---|
| ≥48 h before departure; or to an earlier train / the same day; or after departure to another train that day | Free |
| 24–48 h before, to a train on a later date | 5% |
| Under 24 h before, to a train on a later date | 15% |
| After departure (same day), to the next day or later | 40% |
Fee is charged on the lower of the two fares
Online (12306): refunds and changes until 25 min before departure; changing the destination station until 48 h before. After that, station ticket windows only.
What you can bring on China's trains
Free allowanceAdults 20 kg · children 10 kg (one piece up to 20 kg)
Size per pieceL+W+H ≤ 130 cm on high-speed trains (160 cm on other trains); rod-shaped items ≤ 200 cm
Power banks / lithium batteriesEach unit ≤ 100 Wh (no CCC mark required, unlike flights)
Alcohol (24–70% ABV)Up to 3000 mL in total, sealed retail packaging
Aerosols / sprays≤ 150 mL per can, ≤ 600 mL in total
Lighters / matches2 lighters, 2 boxes of safety matches
