On October 7th, the China National Railway Group shared some exciting news about a major spike in passenger traffic as the country enters a peak travel period. They expect to serve around 19.86 million passengers by operating a record 13,103 passenger trains, which includes an additional 1,705 services. This marks a historic high for daily transportation capacity. Just the day before, on October 6th, railways recorded 18.52 million passenger trips, running operations safely and smoothly.
In discussing the factors contributing to this increase, the pre-sale data from the 12306 platform shows that a mix of travelers—family visitors, students, and tourists—are all adding to the surge. Popular routes, particularly from Beijing to Shanghai and Xi’an to Chengdu, are seeing especially high demand. Travelers are advised to consider flexible travel times and look into options such as train transfers or waiting lists.
As for ticket availability, there are still seats open for journeys from Shanghai to nearby cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou, as well as routes from Guangzhou to Changsha and from Beijing to Tianjin, during the dates of October 7th to 8th. Passengers are encouraged to act quickly in securing their tickets and to stay updated on additional train services and availability via the 12306 platform.
By 9 AM on October 7th, an impressive 164 million train tickets had already been sold for the Golden Week travel period.
The railway authorities are urging travelers to remain mindful of the increased passenger flow during this busy time. They recommend allowing ample time for boarding and adhering strictly to guidelines regarding personal belongings. It’s crucial for passengers to pay attention to the details on their tickets—such as train numbers, travel dates, routes, and seat assignments. Additionally, travelers should refrain from practices like “buying short to ride long” and adopt courteous travel behaviors to help ensure a pleasant experience for everyone involved.
For purchasing train tickets in China, the 12306 website and mobile app are the only official platforms available. It’s important to note that railway authorities have not authorized any third-party services to sell tickets. Travelers should be vigilant, ensuring they are using the legitimate 12306 website or app and confirming that ticket payments are directed to “China Railway Network Company,” to avoid any potential issues with refunds or changes later on.
