Daily Life Services—Transportation

(I) Train
Ticket purchase
1. Identification documents. Foreign travelers can use the following valid identification documents when purchasing tickets or paying for the extended trip at the railway station's ticket windows or ticket agents, or on trains: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card; Passport; Foreigner's exit-entry permit; Seafarer's Certificate; Receipt of acceptance of a visa application issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China; Passport loss report certificate; Temporary international travel document issued by embassies and consulates in China (with valid visas or stay certificates issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China attached). Foreign travelers can use Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards or passports to purchase tickets through China Railway's 12306 English website, 12306 app, or by calling the booking hotline. Foreign travelers can also use Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to purchase tickets on self-service machines.
2. Identity verification. To ensure safe and orderly passenger transport, China's railway operator implements real-name ticketing according to relevant regulations. Foreign travelers must complete identity verification before purchasing tickets. Travelers can log in to China Railway's 12306 English website or app to fill in their name, nationality, ID number, and other information following the instructions. The system will automatically complete identity verification. Or, they can upload a photo of the passport information page for manual verification. Travelers can alternatively take valid passports to ticket windows at the railway station for identity verification.
3. Ticket purchase. After completing identity verification, foreign travelers can purchase tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through China Railway's 12306 English website or app, with payment options including Chinese or foreign bank cards or mobile payment apps. Alternatively, tickets can be bought at ticket windows at the railway station, where payment can be made using Chinese or foreign bank cards, RMB cash, or mobile payment apps. Some railway stations also offer self-service machines for ticket purchase.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.
Ticket change
Foreign travelers can change tickets using China Railway's 12306 English website or app, or at ticket windows of the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of ticket change or the new date of travel.
Ticket refund
Foreign travelers can cancel tickets using China Railway's 12306 English website or app, or at ticket windows of the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of cancellation.
Railway station entry/exit and train boarding
Foreign travelers can enter and exit the railway station through automatic or manual ticket check gates using the original valid identification documents provided when purchasing tickets and must cooperate with ticket checks on the way.
For details of relevant rules, please visit China Railway's 12306 English website or app, or call China Railway's customer service hotline (12306) for consultation.
China Railway's 12306 English website:

https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html

(II) Airplane
To take domestic flights in China, foreign travelers may book air tickets online on the airline's official website, app and WeChat mini program, or a ticketing platform.
Ticket purchase
1. When buying tickets on an airline's official website, app and WeChat mini program, or a ticketing platform, they can make payments via Alipay, WeChat Pay or UnionPay bank cards. Chinese and foreign bank cards are accepted at the online and offline ticketing channels of ticketing platforms and airlines operating international flights.
2. They can also buy tickets at an airport and pay in RMB cash or via WeChat Pay, Alipay, or bank cards following the policies of the airline.
Ticket change and refund
Foreign travelers can change or refund tickets through the ticketing platform or at the airport. Fees may be incurred, which is subject to the policies of the airline.

(III) Metro
A total of 55 cities in China have metro lines. Foreign travelers can purchase metro passes at the stations or use Alipay to take the metro.
1. Foreign travelers can buy single-journey tickets at ticket windows or self-service ticketing machine of the metro station. Frequent travelers can buy metro passes at ticket windows of the metro station with their passports. They can make payments for tickets or passes by Chinese or foreign bank cards, in RMB cash, or by mobile payment apps.
2. Some mobile payment apps and metro operators' apps also support passing the turnstiles by scanning QR codes. The following are the specific operation steps using Alipay as an example. Foreign travelers need to open Alipay, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, they will obtain a QR code for metro. They can enter and exit the metro station by having the QR code scanned.
3. Beijing has become the first city on the Chinese mainland to allow metro fare payments by swiping foreign bank cards. Without buying tickets or downloading relevant apps, foreign travelers can take 27 urban rail lines and the suburban line S2 in Beijing by swiping Mastercard or Visa cards issued overseas at fare gates.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.

(IV) Bus
Foreign travelers can pay with RMB cash, transit cards, or Alipay to take the bus.
1. Foreign travelers can pay in RMB cash to take buses and are advised to prepare the exact change in advance.
2. Foreign travelers can take their passports to the service outlets of bus companies to buy transit cards. Payment for the cards can be made in RMB cash or via WeChat Pay or Alipay.
3. Some mobile payment apps and bus operators' apps also support passing the turnstiles by scanning QR codes. The following are the specific operation steps using Alipay as an example. Foreign travelers need to open Alipay, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, they will obtain a QR code for buses. They need to have the QR code scanned when getting on and off a bus.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.

(V) Online ride-hailing services
Foreign travelers can use Alipay, WeChat, or Didi-Rider to book ride-hailing services. Additionally, Trip.com can be used to book airport shuttle services.
1. Foreign travelers can open Alipay, click on "Transport", select "Taxi", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
2. Foreign travelers can open WeChat, click on "Me", select "Services", scroll down and click on "Mobility" or "Ride Hailing", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
3. Download Didi-Rider app, which supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register, and book online ride-hailing services once registered. Open Didi-Rider app, confirm the pickup location and the destination, select the preferred services (Express, Taxi, Premier, Luxe), and book a ride-hailing service.
4. Open Trip.com, select "Airport Shuttle Service", enter the flight information to make an appointment, and pay directly with an international bank card.

(VI) Car rental services
Foreign travelers can rent cars at international airports and downtown service outlets. Additionally, car rental apps are available, or travelers can search for "mini programs for car rental" on Alipay or WeChat. After registering, a reservation can be made for car rental.
1. Foreign travelers who are going to rent cars need to bring their passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, valid Chinese driver's licenses, and international or Chinese credit cards.
Note: Foreigners renting a car for the first time need to have their identity document information verified at least one working day in advance.
2. Foreign travelers applying for Chinese Provisional Driving Permits for compact cars must take their passports, overseas driver's licenses with Chinese translation, recent one-inch half-length, bareheaded, full-faced color photos against a white background, and other necessary documents to public security traffic management service halls. Foreigners who enter China for a short-term stay can apply for Provisional Driving Permits with a validity period of 3 months. For those who intend to stay longer than 3 months, the validity period can be extended to a maximum of one year. The permits can be used whenever the holders reenter China during the validity period without the need for reapplication.
Note: China has signed agreements for mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses with France, Serbia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates. This allows individuals holding driver's licenses from the aforementioned countries to drive directly in China or obtain Chinese driver's licenses without taking a test.

Source：Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China