Collect Train Tickets in China

Although paper tickets are no longer necessary to board on trains or high-speed trains in China, there may still be passengers who need paper tickets for some reason. In this article, we will explain the different ways to collect train tickets in China, and provide some tips and advice to make your train journey smoother and easier.

Collecting Train Tickets at the Station

Since June 20, 2020, China has implemented a new e-ticket system that allows passengers to board trains without paper tickets. All you need is your passport that you used to book the e-ticket. You can scan your passport at the automatic check-in machines or show it to the staff at the manual check-in counters. Then you can enter the station, find your platform, and board your train.

However, if you prefer to have a paper ticket for any reason, such as for reimbursement purposes or as a souvenir, you can still collect it at the station. You can go to any railway station in China and find the ticket counters or windows. There are usually signs in English that indicate where they are located. 

You can also ask for help from the station staff or other passengers if you are not sure.

To collect your paper ticket, you need to show your passport and your collection number to the staff at the ticket counter. They will print out your ticket and give it to you. 

The ticket will have all the information about your train journey, such as the train number, departure and arrival time and stations, carriage number, seat number, and ticket price. You should check if the information is correct and keep your ticket safe until you board the train.

You can collect your paper ticket any time after you book it online. However, it is recommended that you collect it at least one hour before your departure time, or even earlier if possible. This is because there may be long queues at the ticket counters or security checks during peak travel seasons or holidays. You don't want to miss your train because of waiting too long.

Collecting Train Tickets at a Ticket Office

Another option to collect your paper ticket is to go to a ticket office instead of a railway station. A ticket office is a small outlet that sells and issues train tickets in various locations, such as shopping malls, hotels, or airports. They usually charge a small service fee of 5 yuan per ticket.

To find a ticket office near you, you can use an online map service, such as Baidu Maps or Google Maps. You can search for "火车票代售点" (train ticket agent) or "火车票取票点" (train ticket collection point) and see the results on the map. You can also ask your hotel staff or local friends for recommendations.

To collect your paper ticket at a ticket office, you need to show your passport and your collection number to the staff there. They will print out your ticket and give it to you. The process is similar to collecting it at the station.

You can collect your paper ticket any time after you book it online. However, it is recommended that you collect it at least one day before your departure date. This is because some ticket offices may have limited opening hours or stock availability. You don't want to risk not getting your ticket on time.