Once you know you will miss the train, stop running between entrances and open the actual order. The next decision is not “Can I catch it somehow?” It is “Can this ticket be changed, and is there a seat on another train?”
If the train has not departed
- Check later trains with seats.
- Use the Change or Endorsement function if the order permits it.
- Read the new date, station, train number, and fee before confirming.
- Do not cancel first unless you understand the refund fee and know the replacement is available.
If the train has already departed
China Railway’s current rules allow a change after departure in certain cases, subject to seat availability and the applicable fee. A same-day change can be treated differently from changing to a later date. After-departure tickets and already changed tickets also have refund limits. Use the live rule shown by 12306 or ask the designated window rather than relying on an old screenshot from social media.
对不起，我错过了这趟车。请问可以改签吗？
Pronunciation: Duibuqi, wo cuoguo le zhe tang che. Qingwen keyi gaiqian ma?
I am sorry, I missed this train. Can I change my ticket?
At the ticket window
- Show the original passport used for the ticket.
- Show the order number, train number, and desired destination.
- Say whether you can accept another seat class or a later station in the same city.
- Confirm the new departure station; do not assume every train leaves from the same building.
- Keep the change confirmation until you have exited at the destination.
If no later seat is available
Check another train, another station in the city, or the next day. A flight or long-distance bus may work, but calculate the transfer time before buying. If the missed connection was caused by a railway disruption, speak to station staff because railway-responsibility arrangements are different from a passenger arriving late.
FAQ
Can I board the next train with the old ticket?
No. You need a confirmed change or a new ticket.
Will the hotel or attraction refund me?
That depends on its policy. First secure the replacement journey, then contact the next booking with evidence of the delay.
Can I change the ticket more than once?
China Railway says a ticket can generally be changed once. Read the current order conditions before confirming.
Official information to check
Prevention: use the station arrival plan.