How to register on 12306, buy a high-speed train ticket with a passport and not be left on the platform. Plus the metro, DiDi and prices in yuan and roubles.
Chinese transport is a high-speed train that feels faster than a plane, a metro you can navigate without the language, and a taxi that is called from a messenger. And there are two places where tourists stumble: the train ticket (passport verification is needed) and paying for a taxi (a Russian card doesn’t work, a wallet is needed). Below is how to order a taxi in China via Alipay and WeChat, how to buy a high-speed train ticket, what to pay for the metro with and what to pay attention to so as not to lose time and money.
- Taxis: the easiest way is to call DiDi through the built-in mini-app in Alipay or WeChat; payment is deducted from the wallet.
- Trains: the ticket is named, tied to a passport; paper tickets have been abolished, everything is electronic, and you go to board with your original passport.
- Buying a ticket: the official 12306 service (passport verification is needed, taking up to 1–2 working days) or international intermediary services that charge a fee but work immediately.
- Metro: cheap and clear, payment by QR code from Alipay or WeChat, details are in our guide to paying for the metro.
- The main thing: keep the address for the driver in Chinese and set up wallets and connectivity before departure.
How to order a taxi in China via Alipay and WeChat
DiDi is the Chinese analogue of Uber, and there is no need to install it separately. The DiDi mini-app is built into Alipay and WeChat, so a taxi is called right from the wallet, and payment goes from it too. It is the most trouble-free combination for a foreigner.
Via Alipay
- Open Alipay, find “Transport” / DiDi in the search or on the main tab.
- Allow access to geolocation.
- Specify where you are going: choose a point on the map or type a name. It is better to enter the address in Chinese or choose from the suggestions.
- Choose the type of ride and press call. You will see the car number and the driver’s contact.
- At the end of the ride payment will be deducted from your Alipay balance automatically.
Via WeChat
The same scenario: in WeChat open the “Services” section → “Transport” and find DiDi. The mini-app works on the same principles, but the interface and differences between cities depend on the version.
Via the separate DiDi app
There is an international version of DiDi with an English interface: in it you can link a foreign bank card. For a Russian without such a card the Alipay or WeChat option is more practical. It is better to install the app in advance — on the spot app stores may be unavailable. For more on preparing your smartphone see apps for a trip to China.
Pitfalls when ordering
- The pick-up point. Stations, airports and shopping centres have special taxi pick-up zones. A driver cannot stop just anywhere — go to the marked point.
- The driver calls. He may call your number or write in the chat. If you don’t speak Chinese, use the translator in the chat or simply wait at the point and check the car number.
- Fares. The price is shown in advance, but at peak times and in the rain it rises. Assess this in advance in the app.
- Cancellation. If the driver cancels the order, no problem — the system will find another.
A taxi in the street: how not to overpay
An ordinary taxi in the street and at airports is available and cheap, but with nuances. When paying cash, tourists are sometimes asked for more than the meter, and drivers at stations often offer a “fixed price” instead of the meter. The rules are simple:
- Get into only cars with the meter running and the official livery/taxi sign in the boarding queue.
- Don’t agree to a “private” ride from the entrance to an airport or station — these are unlicensed “black” cars.
- Show the address in Chinese (a screenshot from a booking or from Amap). A name in Latin letters is most often not understood by the taxi driver.
- Pay by the wallet’s QR code if the driver accepts it: then the amount is exactly by the meter. Keep cash yuan in case the QR doesn’t work.
- At the airport go by the official taxi queue — the rank is organised and staff are on duty. For airports and other ways of getting into the city see China’s airports; and for how to get from Pudong to central Shanghai see the breakdown maglev or metro.
Metro and buses: how to pay and find your way
The metro in Chinese megacities is fast, clean and by Russian standards very inexpensive. Signs are duplicated in Latin letters, announcements are in English, and you can pay with a QR code from Alipay or WeChat or with a paper ticket from a machine. A breakdown of payment methods is in the article how to pay for the metro in China, and for the two biggest systems there are separate guides: the Beijing metro and the Shanghai metro.
| What | Features |
|---|---|
| Metro | Fares depend on distance; entry by QR code or card; bags are screened before entry |
| Bus | Cheap, but routes and stops are labelled in Chinese; more convenient with Amap |
| Shared bikes and scooters | Taken by QR code in the app, a wallet and local parking rules are needed |
| Ferries and cable cars | Payment on the spot, often by QR code or cash |
The metro is almost always faster than a taxi: traffic jams in Beijing and Shanghai are serious. Take a taxi for luggage, late returns and short trips when the metro would involve a change.
DiDi: ride types and life hacks
| Mode | What it is | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Express (快车) | An ordinary car, the most frequent option | Everyday trips |
| Taxi (出租车) | A licensed taxi with a meter | When you need it quickly and without surprises on price |
| Comfort / premium | Cars of a higher class | The airport, luggage, late evening |
| Shared ride | Several passengers going one way | To save money, but takes longer |
- Book a car in advance from the hotel, especially in the morning and evening at rush hour: finding a driver takes time.
- If the city is unfamiliar, take a screenshot of the route and car number and send it to family — it is calmer that way.
- Pay in the app, not in cash: then the amount is fixed and there are no disputes over change.
- If you had to wait long, check the pick-up point on the map — a frequent reason is that you are standing “in the wrong place”.
The road from the airport into the city
From the airport to the city people travel by metro, airport express, bus and taxi. The metro is cheapest, but inconvenient with suitcases and changes; a taxi is convenient but subject to traffic jams. Shanghai has a maglev from Pudong — see the breakdown in the article how to get from Pudong to the centre. In other cities the rules are similar: follow the “Taxi” and “Metro” signs and avoid offers from “private drivers” in the arrivals hall.
Rules at the station and in the carriage
- Power banks are allowed on the train, but they must be marked and, as a rule, up to a set capacity; damaged or unmarked ones may be confiscated.
- You may eat and drink in the carriage, but noise and smells are not the best form; the Chinese often eat noodles right in place.
- Watch your things and don’t leave your passport in a holder on the seat.
- The hall and carriage number on the electronic ticket helps with orientation — take a screenshot.
- At large stations there are separate queues for foreigners at the entrance; come in advance.
Night trains and sleeper carriages
On long routes without a high-speed line (for example, to the west of the country) night trains with sleeper carriages operate. A soft-sleeper carriage with four berths in a compartment is more comfortable and safer than a hard one. Tickets for such services are also sold by passport. It is exotic for a traveller, but on high-speed lines it is faster and more reliable to travel by day.
High-speed trains: how to buy a ticket
High-speed trains in China are the best land transport in the world. Beijing — Shanghai takes about 4.5 hours, and the stations are in the centre of the cities. A Russian has two working paths, and the choice between them is a choice between time and money.
Option 1. International intermediary services
Easier for most: an interface in Russian or English, ordinary registration, works immediately. Some of these services accept Mir cards and payment by SBP. For this they charge a service fee per ticket — it depends on the service and the route. The ticket is electronic and tied to your passport number. A detailed breakdown of payment, fees and pitfalls is in the article how a Russian pays for trains, flights and hotels.
Option 2. 12306 — official and without a fee
The official system (the 12306.cn website and the app). English is switched with the “EN” button in the top right corner.
- Register and upload a photo or scan of your passport.
- Wait for manual approval. From a few hours to 1–2 working days — don’t leave it to the last moment.
- Search for a train: departure and arrival cities, date.
- Pay. Visa, Mastercard, JCB (via Bank of China), and also Alipay and WeChat are accepted. Mir cards are not accepted here.
The point of 12306 is the absence of a fee. If you have a family and several journeys, the fees for each ticket add up, and it is worth completing verification in advance.
When sales open
High-speed train tickets are sold for a limited number of days before departure (usually about two weeks), and in holiday periods they are snapped up in the first hours. Check the sales window at the time of purchase and don’t put it off.
The ticket is your passport
Three things for which people are not let on board:
- Tickets are named: the name in the ticket must match letter by letter the Latin spelling in the passport.
- Since October 2025 paper tickets are no longer issued — everything is electronic.
- At the turnstile you need the same passport with which you bought. Not a copy, not a photo — the original.
How boarding works
- At the station entrance — a check of passport and ticket and bag screening.
- In the waiting hall watch the board: the train number and the boarding hall (gate) are shown next to it.
- Boarding opens shortly before departure, the gates close a few minutes before the train leaves — don’t count on “I’ll make it”.
- In the carriage find your seat: the carriage and seat number are in the ticket.
Come to the station in advance: Chinese stations are huge, and at the entrance there are queues for screening. To avoid confusing the station in a city with several stations, read the guide China’s stations, and for the general logic the article China’s high-speed trains.
Classes and types of trains
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| G | High-speed trains, the fastest |
| D | The fast “Dongche”, slightly slower |
| C | Intercity fast trains on short lines |
| Others (Z, T, K) | Ordinary trains, including night ones; cheaper and slower |
Inside G/D trains there is second class (standard), first and business class. For a first time second is enough: the seats are comfortable, there are sockets and a luggage rack overhead. For long night routes choose a soft-sleeper carriage.
How much it costs and how long it takes
Beijing — Shanghai: about 4.5 hours, and in money a high-speed train is comparable to a night in a decent hotel — it is the most noticeable transport item in the budget. City transport is a rounding error. For calculating the whole trip see the China trip budget.
Tickets are snapped up, especially for holidays. At Chinese New Year they simply don’t exist: the country travels to its families. Details of what it looks like are in the guide Chinese New Year 2027.
Domestic flights and other ways
At distances of more than 1,500–2,000 km a train loses to a plane. How to choose a flight and airport we covered in the articles flights to China and China’s airports. Intercity buses exist, but are less convenient for a tourist — bus stations are on the outskirts and timetables are only in Chinese.
If you need a transfer or a car with a driver, see cars and transfers in China — the rental rules for foreigners are also described there. For Hainan island there is a separate article — transport in Hainan.
What to set up before departure
This is more important than it seems. In China the “Great Firewall” operates: Google, WhatsApp and many familiar services are unavailable, and confirmation SMS may not arrive.
- Buy train tickets in advance or complete verification on 12306.
- Install and activate Alipay and/or WeChat — both have DiDi for calling a taxi. How to do this is in the article how to pay in China and in the comparison of payment methods and fees.
- Download offline maps and a translator; save hotel addresses in Chinese.
- Set up the internet: connectivity in China for a tourist and an eSIM for China.
Frequently asked questions
How do I order a taxi in China via Alipay?
Open Alipay, find DiDi in the transport section or through search, specify the destination and call a car. Payment will be deducted from the wallet balance. The wallet must be topped up in advance.
Can I call a taxi without Chinese?
Yes. Specify a point on the map or choose from the suggestions, and if necessary show the driver the address in Chinese on the screen. A translator in the chat removes most questions.
Does Uber work in China?
No. The main service is DiDi, plus aggregators based on Amap and local apps.
What do you pay for a taxi with?
Alipay or WeChat Pay. Cash is accepted, but tourists are sometimes asked for more.
Can I buy a train ticket at the station?
Yes, at the ticket office with a passport. But the queues are big, and for popular routes tickets may already be gone. Online is more reliable.
What if verification on 12306 failed?
Buy through an international intermediary service (you will have to pay the fee, but it works immediately) or go to the station ticket office. A passport is needed for boarding in any case.
How can I get on a train if the ticket is in another name?
You can’t: the ticket is named and tied to a passport. If you made a mistake in the spelling of the name, it must be corrected before boarding, through the service where you bought or at the ticket office.
Metro or taxi?
The metro is almost always faster. Take a taxi for luggage and late returns.
How much to allow for transport?
City transport is a rounding error in the budget. High-speed trains are a separate line. For the calculation of the whole trip: how much a trip to China costs.
Do I need a visa?
No, for trips of up to 30 days the visa-free regime has been extended until 31 December 2027. Details — China visa.
What next
Build your route: ready-made routes around China, when is the best time to go, what to know about etiquette.
Current as of October 2026. The 12306 registration rules, payment methods and fares change; check the official website 12306.cn and carriers’ apps.
