Check these station names before you book
Shanghai and Hangzhou each have multiple railway stations. Do not rely on a hotel listing or a shortened city name: match the full station name shown in the current train result and on your ticket.
上海虹桥站杭州东站杭州西站Before paying: compare the arrival station with your accommodation and first activity in a live map. If you change stations after booking, re-check the ticket and transfer plan rather than assuming the old route still works.
Book with a foreign passport
- Search the exact date on 12306. Enter the full station names and compare the currently offered trains. Do not plan from a copied timetable or an old screenshot.
- Enter the passenger name and passport details carefully. China Railway uses real-name ticketing. The 12306 English FAQ says valid foreign passports accepted under the applicable rules can be used.
- Keep the original passport with you. China Railway says passengers should present the valid ID used for purchase during station entry and boarding checks.
- Save your booking information offline. Keep the train number, departure time, station names in Chinese, and hotel address accessible if mobile data is unreliable.
Make arrival day easier
Allow time for checks
Follow station displays and staff directions. Security and identity checks can add time, especially at busy periods. The original passport—not a screenshot of it—is the key travel document for the booking.
Use the exact destination name
Prepare your hotel’s Chinese name and address. Check current metro, bus, taxi, or ride-hailing options after confirming which Hangzhou station your train uses.
Do not hard-code a journey time. Train schedules and journey durations depend on the date and train selected. Use 12306 for live options and follow the ticket and station display on the day.
Official sources & update note
Checked 14 October 2026. This guide intentionally avoids fixed fares, train frequencies, and journey times because they are date-dependent.