You Can Now Choose Seats, Book Transfers on High-Speed Trains

By Bridget O'Donnell

Woo hoo! Starting from today, China Railway's official high-speed train booking services are finally offering passengers the option to choose specific seats, which is sure to be welcome news for all you travelers out there who strictly identify as either a window or an aisle seat kind of person. (Or middle seat too, if you're some sort of masochist).

The option, currently available on the official railway ticketing website (12306.cn) and mobile app, will be especially useful for groups who want to travel and sit together. 

A screenshot showing the new seat selection option on Chinese trains

The seat selection option will be available for bullet train services starting with the letters C, D and G.

But wait, there's more.

Passengers are now also able to select more seamless transfer options when booking their tickets online.

Previously, passengers had to search for transfer options separately, which was super mafanwhen there were no tickets available between the ideal departure and arrival station.

The booking system will now display one-stop options and seat availability for trips with transfers. Payments for both journeys can also now be made all at once.

A little disclaimer here: For now it appears that both the seat selection and transfer booking services are only available on China Railway's official platforms (Chinese only), and not third-party reservation apps such as Ctrip. Fingers crossed the option will be available there soon!

[Images via Flickr, China Railway]

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