Exploring China's vast and diverse landscape requires understanding its transportation network. This guide provides essential information for both newcomers and seasoned travelers on how to efficiently navigate various modes of transport in China. From catching high-speed trains and flights to using subways, buses, ridesharing services, and rental cars, we cover all you need to know to travel smoothly and confidently across the country.

Train

Ticket purchase

1. Using identification documents. Foreign travelers can use the following valid identification documents when purchasing tickets or paying for the extended trip at the railway station's ticket office and ticket agents, or on trains:

(1) Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;

(2) Passport;

(3) Foreigner's exit-entry permit;

(4) Seafarer's Certificate;

(5) Receipt of acceptance of a visa application issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China;

(6) Passport loss report certificate;

(7) Temporary international travel document issued by embassies and consulates in China (with valid visas or stay certificates issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China attached). 

Foreign travelers can use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and passports to purchase tickets through the 12306 website, 12306 APP, or booking hotline. Foreign travelers can also use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to purchase tickets at the self-service machines.

2.Identity verification. To ensure safe and orderly passenger transport, China's railway operator implements real-name ticketing according to relevant regulations. Foreign travelers must complete identity verification before purchasing tickets.

(1) You can log in to the 12306 website or APP to fill in your name, nationality,  ID number,  and other information following the instructions. The system will automatically complete identity verification. Or, you can upload a photo of the passport information page for manual verification.

(2) You can also take valid passports to the ticket office at the railway station for identity verification.

3.Ticket purchase. After the identity verification, foreign travelers can purchase tickets.

(1) You can purchase tickets online through the 12306 website or APP and pay with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.

(2) You can also purchase tickets at the ticket office at the railway station and pay in cash or by Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards. Some railway stations also have self-service machines for ticket purchase.

Ticket change

Foreign travelers can change your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the ticket office at the railway station.

Ticket refund

Foreign travelers can cancel your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the ticket office at the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of cancellation.

Railway station entry/exit and train boarding

Foreign travelers can enter and exit the railway station through automatic or manual ticket check gates with the original valid identification documents used when buying tickets, and cooperate to complete ticket verification on the way.

For details of relevant rules, please visit the 12306 website or APP, or call China Railway customer service hotline (12306) for consultation. 12306 website address: https:// www.12306.cn/en/index.html

Airplane

Foreign travelers can book tickets online on the airline's official APP and WeChat mini program, or other ticketing platforms.

Ticket purchase

(1)You can buy tickets on the airline's official APP and WeChat mini program and pay with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.

(2)You can also buy tickets at the airport and pay in cash or by WeChat, Alipay,  or bank cards following the regulations of the airline.

Ticket change and refund

Foreign travelers can change or refund your tickets through the ticketing platform or at the airport. Fees may be incurred, which is subject to the regulations of the airline.

Metro

A total of 55 cities in China have metro lines. Foreign travelers can apply for metro passes at the metro station or use the Alipay APP to take the metro.

1. Foreign travelers can buy single-journey tickets at the ticket office or self-service machines at the metro station. Frequent travelers can apply for metro passes at the ticket office with your passports. You can make payments in cash or by WeChat or Alipay.

2. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP on your mobile phones, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for the metro pass. You can enter and exit the metro station by having the QR code scanned.

Bus

Foreign travelers can pay in cash or by bus cards or the Alipay APP to take the bus.

1. Foreign travelers can pay in cash (RMB) to take buses. Buses usually do not provide change, so travelers need to prepare small change in advance.

2. Foreign travelers can take your passports to the service outlets of the bus companies to buy bus cards. Payment for the cards can be made in cash or by WeChat or Alipay.

3. Foreign travelers need to open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for public travel. You need to have the QR code scanned when getting on and off the bus.

Online ride-hailing services

Foreign travelers can use Alipay or WeChat to book online ride-hailing services.

1. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", select "Taxi", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.

2. Foreign travelers can open the WeChat APP,  click on "Me ",  select "Services",  scroll down and click on "Mobility" or "Ride Hailing", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.

3. Download Didi-Greater China APP, which supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register, and book online ride-hailing services once registered. Open Didi-Greater China APP, confirm the pickup location and the destination, select the preferred services(Express, Taxi, Premier, Luxe),  and book a ride-hailing service.

Car leasing services

Foreign travelers can rent cars at international airports and downtown service outlets. You can also use car leasing APPs or search for "mini programs for car leasing" on Alipay or WeChat. Once registered, you can make a reservation for car leasing.

1. Foreign travelers who are going to rent cars need to bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, valid Chinese driver's licenses,  and international or domestic credit cards.

Note: Foreign travelers renting a car for the first time need to have your identity document information verified at least one working day in advance.

2. Foreign travelers applying for Chinese driver's licenses must take your passports, overseas driver's licenses with a Chinese translation, recent one-inch half-length, bareheaded, full-faced color photos against white background, and other necessary documents to public security traffic management service halls to apply for Provisional Driving Permits for compact cars. Foreigners who enter China for a short-term stay can apply for Provisional Driving Permits with a validity period of 3 months. For those who intend to stay longer than 3 months, the validity period can be extended to a maximum of one year. The permits can be used whenever the holders reenter China during the validity period without the need for reapplication.

Note: China has signed agreements for mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses with France, Serbia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates. This allows individuals holding driver's licenses from the aforementioned countries to drive in China or obtain Chinese driver's licenses without taking a test.

Source: National Immigration Administration

This article is updated on April 22, 2024.