Airports & railway stations
Airports & railway stations in Beijing: what to check, how to ask staff, and where to confirm the current rules. Practical guidance with original sources.
Use this guide to prepare your questions. Confirm the current rule with the venue before booking or travelling. These notes are under local and language review; they do not guarantee entry, ticket availability or a refund.
Find your situation
- Confirm the correct Beijing airport
- Confirm the railway station
- 12306 passport and booking status
- Airport train has stopped running
- Passport will not scan at the train gate
Confirm the correct Beijing airport
When: Check the airport code on your flight before showing this card.
Select PKX or PEK from your booking. This card confirms the airport, not the terminal.
View the phrase cardConfirm the railway station
When: Before you start
Read the departure station in the actual train order. Beijing, Beijing South and Beijing West are different stations. Select only the matching station below; for any other station, show its Chinese name directly from the order.
View the phrase card12306 passport and booking status
When: Before you start
Use the official English 12306 site or app. Complete the requested passport verification there, then check that the order is paid and shows the correct train, date and passengers. If verification fails, use official help or a station counter.
View the phrase cardAirport train has stopped running
When: At the location
Confirm your airport and direction, then check today’s service signs. If rail service has ended, follow signs to the official taxi queue or ask about an operating shuttle. Show the hotel’s Chinese address, not just its English name.
View the phrase cardPassport will not scan at the train gate
When: When something goes wrong
Keep the original passport used to book and the order ready. Ask for a staffed check and confirm the train number and gate on the station display. An itinerary printout alone is not a boarding document.
View the phrase card