What Shoud I Do If I Miss My Train in China?

Missing a train is a common issue for many international travelers, with flight delays being the leading cause. Since flight schedules are beyond passengers' control, they often have no choice but to accept the situation. Additionally, underestimating traffic conditions can also lead to missed trains. Fortunately, China Railway is generally accommodating to passengers in such situations, and in most cases, it is possible to find an alternative train.

What should I do if I miss a high-speed train in Mainland China?

If you miss a high-speed train in Mainland China, you are allowed to change your ticket to another available train. Here are the key rules for making this change:

Which train can you change to?

You can change to any train that is currently available for sale, but the departure and arrival stations must remain the same as your original train. For example, if your missed train was from Beijing South to Shanghai Hongqiao departing at 15:00 on October 1st, you can switch to any train with the same route, departing before 0:00 on October 16th (as tickets beyond this date are not yet available).

When and where to make the change?

You must complete the change on the same day as your original departure date. For example, if your train was scheduled to depart on October 1st, you must choose and switch to a new train before 0:00 on October 2nd. This change is typically made at the departure station.

How much does it cost to change the train?

There is an additional fee of 40% of the less expensive one between the missed train and the new one. For example, if your missed train ticket cost USD 100 and the new train ticket costs USD 120, you will need to pay an extra fee of 40% of USD 100 (USD 40).

Although China Railway has stated on their official website that the additional fee is required, based on our 2024 experience, it remains free. None of our customers have been charged any extra fees.

What should I do if I miss an overnight sleeper train?

Although the rules for changing tickets are the same for overnight sleeper trains and high-speed trains in China, missing an overnight sleeper train can still be much more challenging, as overnight trains make up only about 5% of the total trains in China, making it harder to find a same-day alternative. Here are your options:

Switch to a high-speed train:

If there are no available overnight sleeper trains on the same day, you can consider switching to a high-speed train. However, keep in mind that high-speed train tickets are often more expensive than the cost of a one-night hotel stay.

Stay in the departure city for an additional night:

Many passengers choose overnight trains to save on hotel costs. If you miss your train and can't find a suitable alternative, you may need to decide whether it's better to stay an extra night in the departure city and wait for another train next day.

Compare train ticket prices and hotel costs

Generally, if your departure city is more developed than your destination, hotel costs can be significantly higher. For instance, if you miss an overnight train from Beijing to Lanzhou and no alternative overnight trains are available, it may be more cost-effective to take a high-speed train. This is because hotel prices in Beijing are often much higher, sometimes exceeding the combined cost of a high-speed train ticket and one night's stay in Lanzhou. On the other hand, if you're traveling from Lanzhou to Beijing and miss the overnight train, staying an extra night in Lanzhou would be far less expensive.

What about missing overnight trains to Tibet?

Missing an overnight train to Tibet can be particularly problematic, as there are no high-speed trains connecting other provinces to Tibet. Most international travelers must apply for Tibet Travel Permits to enter the region, and the entry dates on these permits cannot be changed once issued. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to miss overnight trains to Tibet.

The best places to start train rides to Tibet

It’s advisable to begin your train ride to Tibet from cities like Xining, Lanzhou, or Xi'an. These cities offer around eight trains to Tibet daily during peak tourist season (April to October) and approximately four trains during the off-season. If you miss your original train, these locations provide more options for alternative departures.

What should I do if I miss a cross-border train?

Currently, there are only two cross-border train routes: China–Hong Kong and China–Laos. If you miss a cross-border train, there is no refund, and you will need to pay the full price for a new ticket.

Suggestions for missing a Hong Kong-China Mainland train

There are around 200 pairs of high-speed trains operating between Hong Kong and Mainland China daily, making it easy to switch to another train if you miss your original one. Even if you miss the only direct train from Hong Kong to your final destination, you can first travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, where around 150 high-speed trains run daily, and then transfer to another train to your destination. Guangzhou is also a good alternative for making transfers.

Suggestions for missing a China-Laos train

There is only one train from China to Laos each day, so if you miss it, you won’t be able to take another direct train to Laos. In this case, you’ll need to travel by train or bus to Mohan, a border port with Laos, and then proceed through customs to enter Laos.

Once in Laos, you can reach Vientiane, the capital, by a 10-hour drive or by train. The Boten train station in Laos is just 13 kilometers from the Mohan border. However, please note that China Railway does not sell tickets for routes entirely within Laos. You will need to purchase these tickets either through Laos' train ticket app or at the Boten train station.

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