What To Do When You Lose a Train Ticket in China

Source: Joshua Boyer, KeyToMainland

When travelling in China, especially when it's busy, it's easy to be absent minded. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us.

With the crowded train systems, full of the hustle and bustle of a daily commute, losing or misplacing your train ticket is incredibly common. However, what should you do if you've lost your ticket?

Don't worry, we have the answers!

Are There Records?

As reported by Beijing Youth Daily, the Ministry of Railways states the train operator will provide a replacement, free of charge if the passanger loses their ticket before or during the train trip.

However, if the ticket is lost after the passanger gets off the train, the operator has no way of validating or proving the claim is legitimate, and will make the passenger purchase a new ticket.

In other words, if the ticket is lost after you get off the train, you will most likely have to purchase another ticket, in order to leave the destination terminal. This is because at the destination terminal, passangers must swipe their ticket to leave. Additionally, the information of the ticket holder, is only kept in the system for a limited window of time, usually less than the train ride.

This means; no ticket, no leave.

Getting a "Free" Replacement

If the passenger loses their ticket in the station, before bording the train or before security checks, then they will have the opportunity to recieve a replacement. However, the passenger must pay for the replacement upfront, and will be reimbursed upon reaching their destination.

There is a grace window of time, which is 20 minutes before the departure of the train. As long as the lost ticket is claimed before that time, then the passenger is entitled to a replacement.

In order to recieve the replacement ticket, the passenger needs to provide: Photo ID/Passport, Date of Travel, and the destination they are traveling to. After which, staff will confirm the records, and ask the passenger to pay for the replacement.

The passenger will also recieve a record of replacement, which entitles them to be reimbursed for the replacement, upon reaching the destination. The passenger will have a 24 hour window to request the reimbursement, and will have to present Photo ID/Passport, Record of Replacement, and New Ticket.

Losing the Ticket on the Train

If the passenger loses the ticket, while riding on the train, they can speak with an attendant to purchase a "standing" ticket. The attendants can only give a "standing" ticket, as they have no access to records to indicate the original ticket type.

If the passenger finds their original ticket, they will be able to notify the attendant on the train, and will recieve a passanger record to file a claim at the destination station.

Upon reaching the destination station, they can use the record to file a claim, and recieve reimbursement for the ticket purchased on the train.

Losing a Ticket at the Destination Station

If a passenger loses a ticket at the destination station, they must purchase a new ticket in order to leave the station. Additionally, they will not be issued a reimbursement for the original ticket, as the station will not have access to the original purchasing records.

Additionally, the destination station will have no way of proving if the passengers claim is valid or not.

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The article was originally written by KeyToMainland, and updated by Joshua Boyer.

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