High-speed rail has become the preferred way for many Hong Kong travelers to get to Mainland China. Booking your high-speed rail tickets through Trip.com is quick and easy. In this guide, we’ll show you how to book high-speed rail tickets with Trip.com, what the fares look like, and the booking fees to expect.
What Is the Trip.com Booking Fee?
In general, Trip.com does not charge a "platform usage fee" for most standard bookings. The price you see during your search is typically the direct cost from the service provider (airline, hotel, or attraction).
However, the "Booking Fee" or "Service Fee" on Trip.com can be categorized into three types:
- Product Service Fees: Occasional small fees applied to specific products (like train tickets) to cover the cost of connecting to third-party ticketing systems.
- Administrative Fees: Charges applied only when you request manual services, such as processing a refund, changing a flight date, or canceling a non-refundable booking.
- Third-Party Surcharges: These are not fees kept by Trip.com but are collected on behalf of others, such as Airport Construction Fees, Fuel Surcharges, or Hotel Service Charges.
How Much Is the Trip.com Booking Fee?
The following table summarizes the typical fees you can expect when booking through the Hong Kong version of Trip.com:
Booking Fee Summary Table
Product Category | Booking Fee (Standard) | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
Flights | HK$ 0 | You pay only the airfare + taxes/fuel surcharges. |
Hotels | HK$ 0 | Subject to 10% service charge or local taxes (standard industry practice). |
Attractions / Tours | HK$ 0 | The displayed price is usually all-inclusive. |
Train Tickets | HK$10 - HK$40 | A small service fee is usually charged per ticket for system processing. |
Car Rentals | HK$ 0 | Platform fee is usually waived; insurance is optional. |
Post-Booking & Administrative Fees
If you need to modify your booking after payment, the following administrative fees may apply:
Service Type | Estimated Fee (Per Item/Person) |
|---|---|
Flight Change/Cancellation | HK$100- HK$200 (Plus airline penalties) |
Hotel Cancellation | Free (If "Free Cancellation" is selected) / Full cost (If non-refundable) |
Train Ticket Refund | Small percentage of the fare (According to railway policy) |
💡Note: Actual fees may vary slightly depending on exchange rates, your destination, and booking conditions. Fees may be higher for international bookings or last-minute reservations.
Important Considerations for Hong Kong Users
- Currency & Transaction Fees: When using the Trip.com Hong Kong site, it is highly recommended to pay in HKD. If you choose to pay in a foreign currency (e.g., JPY or USD), your credit card issuer may charge a cross-border transaction fee.
- Inclusive Pricing: On the hotel search page, you can toggle the "Show total price" button. This ensures that the price displayed includes all taxes and service fees, preventing any surprises at the checkout page.
- Trip Coins: While there are no hidden fees, Trip.com offers a reward system. Every booking earns "Trip Coins," which act as a "reverse fee" (a discount) that can be used to offset the cost of future bookings.
Hong Kong Popular High-Speed Rail Routes
Top High-Speed Rail Routes at a Glance | |||
|---|---|---|---|
High-Speed Rail Routes | Travel Time | Ticket prices | High-Speed Rail Ticket Booking Link |
Hong Kong <--> Shenzhen Futian | 14 minutes | From HK$74 | |
Hong Kong <--> Shenzhen North | 18 minutes | From HK$82 | |
Hong Kong <--> Guangzhou South | 47 minutes | From HK$234 | |
Hong Kong <--> Dongguan | 46 minutes | From HK$121 | |
Hong Kong <--> Shanghai | 8 hours | From HK$1,035 | |
Hong Kong <--> Beijing | 9 hours | From HK$1,358 | |
Your Guide to Booking Train Tickets via Trip.com
【1】Search for tickets by selecting your departure date, origin, and destination.
【2】 Select the corresponding high-speed rail train number
Find the high-speed train that fits your trip. Start by searching your departure city, destination, and travel date—you’ll see all available train options, departure and arrival times, fares, and more.
【3】 Select your high-speed rail ticket type
Hong Kong’s high-speed rail offers First Class and Second Class seats, while mainland China’s high-speed rail also features Premium Class, Business Class, and sleeper berths. You can choose Adult or Child tickets based on the traveler’s age:
- Adult ticket: For passengers ages 14 and up
- Child ticket: For children ages 6 to 13; children 5 and under ride free.
【4】 Enter your personal details
Once you’ve picked the best departure, simply enter the passenger details—name, date of birth, ID document number and expiration date, email address, and more. High-speed rail ticketing uses a real-name system, so whether you’re buying a ticket, picking it up, or handling any after-sales services, you’ll need to provide a valid ID. Keep in mind that each valid ID can only be used to buy one ticket for the same train departure.
Trip.com accepts the following forms of ID for booking:
- Mainland China ID Card
- Passport
- Home Return Permit (Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents)
- Taiwan Compatriot Permit (Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents)
- Foreigner's Permanent Residence ID Card
- Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Residents
Important Notes
- High-speed rail tickets will display the passenger's name (partial or full) and a portion of their identification document number.
- Before entering the gates, before boarding, or while traveling on the high-speed rail, authorized railway staff have the right to request that passengers present their original identification documents for verification.
- Seats are automatically assigned by the high-speed rail system.
【5】 Payment
Once you’ve completed the steps above, you’re ready to pay! Trip.com supports mobile and electronic payment methods, including:
- *Mobile payment options include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Alipay, AlipayHK, WeChat Pay, and WeChat Pay HK.
- *Digital payment methods include: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, UnionPay Online Payment, and Octopus.
【6】Collecting Your Tickets and Boarding Information
- Ticket collection: The high-speed rail no longer uses paper tickets—just bring a valid ID to board. In the ticketing concourse (B1 level), head to the self-service gates or a staffed assistance counter to complete ID verification and ticket check. Plan to have this done at least 30 minutes before your train departs.
- Security screening and immigration procedures: In the Departure Hall (Level B3) or Arrival Hall (Level B2), please follow the baggage and security screening instructions and complete the immigration procedures for Hong Kong and Mainland China.
High-Speed Rail Fares and Booking Fees
High-speed rail offers a range of ticket types, including Adult and Child tickets. To suit different travel needs, you can choose from First Class, Second Class, Premium, and Business Class cars. Below, Trip.com has rounded up high-speed rail fares, booking fees, and the latest deals.
1. Types of High-Speed Rail Tickets
In general, Hong Kong High Speed Rail offers two ticket categories: Adult tickets (for travelers aged 18 and above, or taller than 1.5 meters) and Child tickets (for travelers under 18 and between 1.2 and 1.5 meters tall). In addition, for High Speed Rail services departing from Mainland China, Student tickets and Disabled Military Personnel tickets are also available.
2. High-Speed Rail Ticket Prices
High-speed rail fares are divided into “published fares” (the list price) and “selling fares” (the actual ticket price). The selling fare will never be higher than the published fare. Since tickets are priced in RMB (Chinese yuan), Hong Kong dollar fares are adjusted according to exchange rate movements, and the latest fares are announced on the first day of each month.
3. Ticket Refunds and Changes — Related Information
Ticket change policy: Trip.com lets you make a one-time, fee-free change to your ticket’s date, destination, seat class, or carriage class. If the new fare is lower than your original ticket, the difference will be refunded; if it’s higher, you’ll need to cancel the original ticket and book again.
The refund amount is determined by the time the refund process is initiated; the specific amounts are as follows:
- Within 48 hours: 50% of the paid ticket price
- [48 hours to 14 days] Paid ticket: 70%
- [15 days or more] 95% of the paid ticket price
4. Comparing Ways to Buy High-Speed Rail Tickets
There are four ways to book high-speed rail tickets right now—through Trip.com, MTR, the China Railway 12306 website, or authorized agents—for travel in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Below, we’ve rounded up all the details on these four booking options.
Ways to Book High-Speed Rail Tickets | Service Hours | Scope of Services | ||||||
Buy Tickets | Ticket Pickup | Mobile Payments | Electronic Payment | Order Lookup | Change Ticket | Refund | ||
Trip.com | Bookable 24/7 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
MTR Ticket Office | 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
MTR Online Ticketing | 6:00 AM - 11:30 PM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
MTR Ticketing Hotline (2120 0888) | 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
MTR Ticket Vending Machine | 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
12306 | For more details, please visit the official website. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Designated Agent | Subject to the agent’s arrangements. | ✔ | Subject to the agent's arrangements. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
High-Speed Rail Booking Tips
Book in advance
High-speed rail tickets go on sale 15 days in advance. If your travel date falls on a holiday, tickets usually sell out quickly—so we recommend booking early.
Seat Selection
When booking your high-speed train ticket, you can choose your seat as long as there’s plenty of availability. A window seat lets you savor the scenery without interruptions, while an aisle seat makes it easy to reach the dining car, restrooms, and more.
Arrive early at the high-speed rail station
Because high-speed rail stations are usually large and can be crowded—and you’ll need to clear security screening—we recommend arriving at the station 30–45 minutes early.
Food & Drinks on the High-Speed Train
China’s high-speed trains have a dining car serving a variety of meals and drinks. You’re also welcome to bring your own food and beverages on board and enjoy them at your seat. Alternatively, you can order takeout en route via China Railway 12306, and staff will deliver it to your seat when the train stops at a station.
Change or refund your ticket
With Trip.com, travelers can easily make changes or request a refund for their tickets. The exact service fee varies based on how much time is left before departure and the price of the ticket.