12306 Registration Guide
Complete 12306 account registration tutorial. 12306 is China Railway's official ticket booking platform. After registration, you can check train schedules, book tickets, and manage orders. This guide covers the full registration process to help you register and start booking.
Why Register for a 12306 Account
12306 is the only official online ticketing platform designated by China State Railway Group. Having a 12306 account is essential for purchasing train tickets online in China, eliminating the need to queue at train stations.
After registration, you can check train schedules and ticket availability nationwide, book tickets up to 15 days in advance, use the waitlist feature for popular trains, manage frequent passenger info for quick booking, and view order history and trip information.
Whether you are a Chinese citizen or foreign traveler, you can register for a 12306 account. Chinese citizens register with ID cards, while foreigners can use passports.
Before You Start
Before starting registration, please ensure you have the following ready:
Valid ID Document
Chinese citizens need ID card, foreigners can use passport. Ensure document is valid and information is legible.
- ID Card: 18-digit ID number required
- Passport: Passport number and validity required
- HK/Macau Permit: For HK/Macau residents
Phone Number
A phone number that can receive verification codes. Chinese mainland number recommended for best experience. Mainland China number: full functionality; Hong Kong/Macau number: partial functionality.
Email Address (Optional)
For account recovery and notifications. Recommended for enhanced account security. All major email services supported.
Step-by-Step Registration
Visit 12306 Website or Download App
First, visit the official 12306 website (www.12306.cn) or download the "Railway 12306" app from your app store. Use official channels only to ensure account security. Website and app features are similar. Official website: www.12306.cn; iOS users: search "Railway 12306" in App Store; Android users: download from major app stores. Verify official app β developer is "China Academy of Railway Sciences".
Click Register Button
On the website or app homepage, find and click the "Register" button. On the website, the register button is usually in the upper right login area. In the app, find it on the homepage or "My" page. Read the user agreement and privacy policy carefully and agree to continue.
Fill in Personal Information
Enter your real name, ID type, ID number, date of birth, etc. Ensure all information matches your ID document exactly. Use the standard name as shown on your ID. For passport: given name first, surname last, all uppercase.
Set Username and Password
Create your login username and password. Username: 6β30 characters, letters, numbers, underscores. Password: must contain letters and numbers, 6β20 characters, case-sensitive. Use a strong password.
Verify Phone Number
Enter your phone number and request a verification code. Input the code from SMS to complete verification. Codes expire in a few minutes. If you don't receive the code, try resending after 60 seconds.
Complete Face Verification
For account security and identity verification, 12306 may require face verification. Follow the app or website prompts and complete face scanning in a well-lit environment. Ensure your face is clearly visible. After face verification, your account is verified and ready for booking.
Complete Guide for Foreign Travelers
Foreign travelers can register on 12306 using their passport. On the registration page, select "Passport" as the ID type. Fill in your name as it appears on your passport β given name first, surname last, all uppercase. International numbers may not receive verification codes; a Chinese mainland number is recommended. Some features may require in-person verification at a train station window; bring your original passport.
If you encounter difficulties using 12306, we recommend using our partner platform for booking. The partner platform supports multiple languages, international credit cards, and allows easy ticket purchase without complex registration.
Three things to have ready before you start
- Your travel document β a Chinese resident ID card for mainland residents, a residence permit or travel permit for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents, or a passport for foreign visitors. The name and number must match exactly.
- A phone number that receives SMS β used for verification codes and waitlist notifications. Overseas numbers do not always receive them reliably, so a mainland number is easier if you have one.
- An email address β for password recovery and trip information.
With those to hand, registration itself takes a few minutes. The part that actually takes time is the identity verification that follows.
Identity verification decides whether you can book
Registering is not the same as being able to buy tickets. The account has to clear real-name verification and show as verified before you can place an order. There are three states you may see:
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Verified | Identity check passed | You can book normally |
| Pending | Automatic check could not complete | Take your document to any station ticket counter, or upload documents as prompted |
| Failed | Details do not match, or the document type needs manual handling | Check the name and number against the document; correct it at a counter if needed |
Why accounts get stuck on "pending"
Most often because the document is not a mainland ID card, so the system cannot match it automatically. Passports and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan travel permits usually need one manual verification, after which the account works indefinitely.
What foreign visitors should watch for
- Name entry β use the spelling exactly as printed in the passport's machine-readable zone. A mismatch can fail at the station gate even if the booking went through.
- Document type β choose passport and enter the full number, taking care to distinguish the digit 0 from the letter O.
- Manual verification β you will usually need to complete this once at a station counter. Do it soon after arriving rather than on your travel day.
- Station entry β passengers who booked with a passport normally use the staffed lane; automatic gates do not read passports.
- Leave time β allow 60β90 minutes at the station for your first journey while you learn the process.
Account safety and common mistakes
Passwords and sign-in
Use a password you do not use anywhere else and keep sign-in alerts on. Never hand your account to a ticket-grabbing service: if the password leaks, so does the identity document data attached to the account.
Saved passengers are not the account holder
The account belongs to one person. Family and friends travelling with you are added as saved passengers, and each of them has to clear verification too. There is a cap on how many you can save.
If you entered something wrong
A mistyped document number usually cannot be fixed online β you will need to take the document to a station counter. Check every character before submitting, particularly passport numbers.