Why does 12306 say my verification failed?

Almost always a name mismatch against the passport, or a first-time account that needs station verification. See the dedicated page on 12306 verification failures.

Which station should I choose for Shanghai?

Big cities have several. Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Station are different places; the correct one is printed on your ticket. Check before you book the hotel.

Do I need to print the ticket?

No. The QR plus your passport gets you through the gate. Print an itinerary only if you need it for reimbursement.

How do I book China high-speed trains with a passport?

Short answer

Register an account on en.12306.cn with your passport — the name must match your passport exactly. Pick your train, pay with an international Visa or Mastercard, then show the e-ticket QR code together with your passport at the gate. No paper ticket is needed.

Registration is the only hard step

The English site at en.12306.cn accepts foreign passports only. Enter your name exactly as printed in the machine-readable zone, including the order of given and family names. A mismatch is the usual cause of failed verification.

First-time accounts sometimes require an in-person check at a station ticket office before online booking works. Budget 20 minutes for this at your arrival station if it comes up.

Booking and paying

Sales run 05:00–23:00 China time
The English site takes international Visa and Mastercard
You can also book inside the Alipay or WeChat mini-program with a bound card
Book 2–3 days ahead in peak season; trains sell out on holidays

Changing or refunding

One change is free per ticket. Refund fees scale with timing: free eight or more days before departure, then 5–20% as the departure approaches.

Related guides

Where these matter

Official sources

Policies and booking channels change — check the official channel before you rely on it.