As previously reported (see story), Shanghai-headquartered travel service provider Ctrip has been upgrading its booking system to make buying train tickets in China easier.
Not long ago, booking train travel in the country was rather difficult for foreign visitors, as the ticketing hotline and websites were all in Chinese and one had to have a local bank card in order to make payments. Getting tickets at the station is also problematic as all information on the signboards is in Chinese. Seeking help from the hotel concierge was very much the only option. That effectively deterred overseas visitors from making use of the high-speed rail system, which is a great alternative for inter-city travel in China given the country's infamous flight delays.
A growing number of companies, however, are filling this market niche. Ctrip, through its online portal, allows customers to book train tickets and have them delivered to any address in one of the 39 cities in China. There is also the option to pick up the ticket at the departure train station. This service is offered in nine languages, and a 3 per cent surcharge is levied on it.
For the delivery service, the booking needs to be made at least three days in advance and a charge is applicable. The fee is RMB40 (US$6.50) for the first ticket and it is RMB20 (US$6.25) for every subsequent ticket. Same day delivery is possible if the booking is made before 3pm, otherwise, the ticket will arrive within 24 hours.
Ticket counters at Beijing South Railway Station
With the self pick-up option, bookings can be made up to two hours and 15 minutes before departure. After the ticket is reserved and paid for through the system, customers can pick up their tickets from the counter of any railway station with their ticket pick-up number (which begins with the letter E followed by a series of numbers) along with the ID document used in the online booking process. It is worth noting, however, that collection counters may close prior to train departure times, so either try to find out in advance their opening hours or be at the station early.
A change in regulations will also come into effect on December 6 to allow bookings to be made as far ahead as 60 days before departure.
Reggie Ho
