Change or refund a China train ticket

Change or cancel?

A change / 改签 moves the journey to another available train, date or seat. Search for a replacement before confirming; the fare may differ.

A refund / 退票 cancels the ticket. Open the paid order, choose refund, check the amount and save the final confirmation. If you bought through another platform, start with that platform’s order help.

Before you confirm

More than 48 hours before departure: a change within the presale period can be free of change fees. Within 48 hours, moving to a later date may cost more.

After departure, ask about a change before midnight that day. An after-departure changed ticket cannot then be refunded. Do not assume the next train has a seat.

The usual refund bands are shown below. Check the amount for your actual order; changed tickets and special periods can have additional rules.

Usual refund fees

When you need the counter

Bring the original passport used to book, the order number and any printed reimbursement receipt. Cash-paid tickets and printed receipts have specific counter handling.

If you already requested an eligible cash-ticket refund online, the official guide gives 180 days, including the request day, to collect it at a counter with the original ID. Printed reimbursement receipts also require counter confirmation and return of the receipt.

If the money has not arrived

Check that the order says refunded, then check the original payment account. Ask 12306 about an unclear order status; ask the payment provider or card issuer about a completed refund that has not posted. Give the refund reference, amount and date. Refund confirmation and bank posting are separate steps.