Passport verification on 12306
Since late 2023, 12306 (the official railway site and app) supports foreign-passport real-name verification. You register, enter your passport number, name and nationality, and the system either verifies automatically or asks you to upload your passport photo page for a quick manual review. Once verified, you can buy tickets and get a QR-code boarding pass.
Note: third-party platforms (some Ctrip/Trip.com flows, and many smaller resellers) regularly fail for foreign passports — the French tourist in the widely shared August 2026 incident had his Ctrip purchase fail and only succeeded on 12306 directly. For foreigners, 12306 itself is the reliable path.
Enter the name exactly
This is the part that trips people up. The ticket name must match your passport character for character:
| Rule | Do | Do not |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Exactly as in the machine-readable zone | Guess or use a nickname |
| Name order | Surname then given name as printed | Flip them because your home format differs |
| Middle names | Include if your passport shows them | Drop them "to be shorter" |
| Spaces/hyphens | Match the passport's spacing | Add or remove freely |
A mismatch does not just risk a scolding — it can mean the gate will not release your QR code and you miss the train. Always open the passport next to you when typing.
Where to buy
- 12306 official app/site (English interface available): most reliable for foreigners; accepts foreign cards and mobile pay once verified.
- Trip.com English app: works for many foreigners and is convenient, but if it errors on your passport, fall back to 12306 directly.
- Station windows: possible but slower, and you will still need the same passport match.
For the broader picture, see our 12306 vs Trip.com comparison and the metro guide for city transit.
At the station and gate
Foreigners pass through the same QR gates as everyone else once verified. But expect random passport checks — Chinese railway rules allow staff to ask any passenger for ID, and foreigners are checked more often. Carry your passport (original, not just a photo) every time you ride. The August 2026 French-tourist case was not discrimination; it was a routine secondary check that applies to all passengers, just unevenly timed.
- Scan in with your 12306 QR code.
- If stopped, show your passport calmly — the name on the screen must match it.
- Keep the boarding QR in the 12306 app, not a screenshot that can expire.
Fixing a mismatch
- Before the trip: cancel and rebook with the correct name on 12306 (refund rules apply; act early).
- At the station: go to the 人工通道 (manual channel) or a service desk; staff can verify against your passport and issue a corrected pass. Arrive early — do not assume the machine will fix it.
- Double-check at booking: the safest fix is getting the name right the first time, with the passport open beside you.
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