Train ticket: 补票

[jobin]

No ticket, six days in advance to beijing, on the D train. Any advice on buying the ticket after getting on the train. I know many can 补票 on ordinary trains, but what about on the D trains? I might not even get past the gate without the ticket but need to get on that train!

[rivercao]

Lol, how did you get into the train without a ticket?

Anyway, same as ordinary trains, ask the staff and get a ticket.

[roddy]

Pretty sure you can't get on without a ticket - you might get as far as the platform, but there's no standing allowed on D-trains and I doubt you'll get onto the actual train - maybe if there are actual spare places, but if that was the case you'd be able to buy the ticket presumably. I'd look for a cheap flight or a different train (or just try again, the rail ticketing system is a fickle beast).

[rivercao]

I misunderstood OP's situation. If you are not on the train, I don't think you can do it. Sometimes D trains would reserve some vacancies, but you have to be on the train anyway. I remember I once upgraded a seat ticket to a sleepers ticket after getting onto the train. So... you can try that way by getting on a train that has sleepers using a seat ticket, then 'bupiao '

[889]

I don't know whether this works for D-trains, but normally if you want to try your luck getting a ticket onboard, you first buy a platform ticket, then once you're on the platform, approach the conductor and ask whether any berths or seats are available; if so, he'll give you a scribbled slip of paper that will get you onboard, where you buy your ticket after the train departs. Without that slip, or a nod from the conductor, the fuwuyuan who guard each entrance to the train won't let you board.

Note that some stations don't sell platform tickets, especially at CNY and such.

Edited May 6, 2010 at 11:33 AM by 889