Before buying: write down the exact journey
- Record the full departure and arrival station names, including their Chinese names where available. A city name alone is not enough.
- Check the travel date and departure time against your accommodation and any connecting journey.
- Use the passenger’s correct identity details and check the official ticket source’s current booking instructions.
Before leaving for the station
- Bring the valid travel document used for the ticket, and keep your booking details accessible.
- Check the route to the correct station. Allow time for the journey, station entry, security and finding the boarding area.
- Check current baggage, change and cancellation rules with the ticket source. Do not assume the rules are the same for every journey.
At the station and after arrival
- Match the train number and departure time with the station displays. Follow current boarding instructions and ask railway staff if anything is unclear.
- Keep your destination address and final transfer instructions available offline.
- For a pickup, agree the exact meeting point with the driver. Share the arrival station and time rather than only the city.
A journey note you can copy
Use this as a planning note, not as a ticket. Fill it from your confirmed booking and keep identity document numbers out of shared notes.
- Travel date / train number / departure time
- Departure station / arrival station / arrival time
- Route to the station / onward address / agreed pickup point