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Glossary

What Real-Name Ticketing Means in China

You are told to bring your passport everywhere and want to know why.

Plan my family tickets

Real-name ticketing means your ticket is linked to your identity, which for a foreign visitor means your passport. In China, trains and some major sights work this way.

For trains, foreigners must show a passport to buy a long-distance ticket and to pass platform gates, because travel is ticketless[1]. There is no paper stub to carry, so your passport is the ticket.

Where you will meet it on a trip

You will meet real-name ticketing at train stations and at popular attractions. The Forbidden City is one example: every visitor needs a real-name advance reservation and same-day walk-up entry is not available[2].

One practical tip

Keep the booking passport in your day bag and give each family member their own booking. Expect an X-ray bag check at the station entrance, and arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure at major stations[3]. Gates take longer with a group.

Use the same spelling as your passport on every app and booking. Our guide to booking attraction tickets shows how the reservation works in practice.

Planning a family trip where every person needs a ticket in their own name? Send us the dates and the list of cities and we will help you sort the paperwork.

Ask about passports

Read next

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  • TermTrain Seat Classes in China

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  • TermWhat a D Train Is in China

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Questions Malaysians ask

Why do I need a passport for a China train ticket?

Foreigners must show a passport to buy a long-distance train ticket and to pass platform gates, because travel is ticketless. Your ticket is linked to the identity you booked with. Carry the same passport on the day, and keep a photo copy as a backup.

Does the Forbidden City use real-name tickets too?

Yes. Every visitor needs a real-name advance reservation, and same-day walk-up entry is not available. International visitors book with a passport and bring that original passport. Reserve through the official channel only, and check the current rules before you travel.

What if my name is spelled differently in two places?

Match the name exactly as printed in your passport on every booking and app. A mismatch can cause trouble at a gate. If you find a mistake after booking, fix it through the app support or the ticket office early, not at the gate.

Sources

  1. The Man in Seat 61, checked 2026-10-19
  2. Beijing Municipal Government, checked 2026-10-19
  3. The Man in Seat 61, checked 2026-10-19

Rules, schedules and prices change. Confirm with the official source before you travel.

Thinking about China?

Planning a family trip where every person needs a ticket in their own name? Send us the dates and the list of cities and we will help you sort the paperwork.

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