How do I change or refund China train tickets?

For a ticket bought directly through 12306, open the order in the official website or app and choose the available change or refund option. For an agency booking, start with that agency’s order and support route. If you want to cancel, act before the train’s departure time.

Check the passenger, train, date, departure station and fee quote before confirming. For a change, check replacement availability first. Save the final confirmation; a support request alone is not proof that your ticket changed.

This answer covers ordinary domestic tickets. Hong Kong cross-border trains, special products and disruption arrangements can have different rules. The 12306 English FAQ explains the official service routes.

For a standard domestic refund before departure, the official fee schedule uses these bands:

• At least 8 days before: no standard refund fee
• 48 hours to less than 8 days: 5%
• 24 to less than 48 hours: 10%
• Less than 24 hours: 20%

The 8-day, 48-hour and 24-hour boundaries are inclusive. Fee rounding, minimum charges, changed-ticket rules and special conditions can affect the final amount. Confirm the actual quote rather than calculating from this overview alone.

Moving a ticket to a later date does not automatically avoid a refund fee. Agency service charges are separate: check which amounts the seller will return.

The current domestic passenger rules allow one change, subject to availability. Changing the arrival station requires at least 48 hours before departure. A replacement ticket can involve a fare difference as well as a change fee.

If you miss departure, check change options before 24:00 that same day, using China time. A same-day replacement and a later-date train have different fee treatment. Ordinary refunds are not available after departure, and a ticket changed after departure cannot then be refunded.

Do not wait for the end of the day if you are already at the station. Ask railway staff what is still possible for your actual ticket.

Bring the original identity document used for booking, plus the order number. If the ticket is tied to your passport, bring that passport. A booking screenshot helps locate the order but does not replace your identity document.

Cash-paid tickets require a station window for changes. Eligible cash-paid tickets can be refunded online first, with the cash collected at a designated station window within 180 days. For identity or online-processing problems, ask station staff before the applicable deadline.

Do not follow outdated paper-reimbursement instructions without checking your ticket. Current domestic rules use electronic invoices; cross-border and special-ticket procedures can differ.

Open the original order and read its change, cancellation and service-fee terms. Check whether the request has been completed, which charges are refundable and where the refund will arrive. Contact that seller if the status is unclear.

If departure is close and online help is not resolving it, take your passport and booking details to the station to ask what staff can do. Do not assume that sending a message to an agency pauses the railway deadline.

Compare the new arrival time with your hotel check-in, airport transfer and any onward train. Tell affected providers about changes where needed, and keep the new confirmation available offline.

Need to buy a replacement? Follow the China train booking guide. Then use the free Planner below to review your dates, cities and arrival setup. The Planner cannot change, cancel or refund a railway booking.