How to book train tickets in Asia, step by step
Trains are a comfortable way to travel in Asia, but every country sells tickets differently. Here is, country by country, how far ahead you can book, where to buy and what to bring.
At a glance
| Country | Sales open | Where to book | Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Long-distance trips up to about 6 months ahead; shorter segments later | SRT D-Ticket (official), agents, station | Take it to the counter |
| Malaysia | Several months ahead | KTMB (website/app), agents, station | Carry it as a precaution |
| Vietnam | About 60 days ahead (up to 90 for some trains) | dsvn.vn (official), agents, station | Needed for international bookings |
| Laos | Only a few days ahead | Station, agents | Required for every passenger |
| Cambodia | About 1 week ahead (southern line) | Royal Railway (website), agents, station | Carry it as a precaution |
| Japan | From 1 month ahead | Station (machine/counter), SmartEX, JR websites | Not needed |
| China | About 15 days ahead | 12306 (official), Trip.com | Required to buy and at the gate |
Thailand
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) runs the network. Since January 2023 all long-distance trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central in Bangkok, not Hua Lamphong.
How to book
- Book online on the official SRT D-Ticket system (dticket.railway.co.th, with English pages). It accepts most foreign cards but can be slow.
- Or use agents such as Baolau (seat plan, printable e-ticket) or 12Go. Check the total price including fees.
- At any major station counter, or by phone on 1690 (Thai). Short local trains are usually sold only at the station on the day.
Malaysia
KTM Berhad runs the main lines of the peninsula. The ETS express trains link Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Butterworth (for Penang) and Padang Besar on the Thai border.
How to book
- Book on the KTMB website (KITS ticketing) or in the KTMB app by credit card; you can choose your seat.
- ETS and Intercity trains are fully reserved and often sell out on weekends and public holidays. Book early.
- Komuter commuter trains need no reservation; buy the ticket at the station.
Vietnam
Vietnam Railways runs one long line from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City via Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. It takes about 30 to 33 hours, and most people ride it in sections.
How to book
- The official site dsvn.vn is mostly in Vietnamese and often awkward for foreigners.
- Easier: book through an agent such as Baolau or a travel agency. The e-ticket arrives by email and you print it or collect it from a machine at the station.
- Station counters often take cash (dong) only and little English is spoken. Write the train number, date and class on a piece of paper.
Laos
The modern Laos–China Railway has run electric trains since December 2021 from Vientiane via Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang in about two hours, and on to Boten.
How to book
- Tickets are sold at the station, often shortly before departure. Booking online through the official app is limited.
- Agents such as Baolau sell tickets online; they usually cost more than at the counter but save the trip and the queue.
- Every passenger, children included, needs a valid passport. A driving licence or ID card is not accepted.
Cambodia
Royal Railway runs slow, simple trains from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (via Kampot) and to Battambang. Services have changed several times in recent years.
How to book
- Book online on the Royal Railway booking page or through agents such as Baolau; also at the station or by phone.
- The southern line goes on sale about a week before departure; weekend seats often sell out by Wednesday or Thursday.
Japan
The Shinkansen bullet trains link Tokyo with Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka; most lines are run by the JR Group.
How to book
- Easiest is the station: machines and counters have English menus.
- With the SmartEX app you can book the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen and link the ticket to an IC card (such as Suica) or show a QR code.
- Outside peak periods you can almost always get a seat on the same day. Reserve for New Year (28 Dec–3 Jan), Golden Week (early May) and Obon (mid-August).
China
China has the largest high-speed rail network in the world. G and D trains link the big cities in a few hours; overnight trains cover long distances.
How to book
- Book on 12306 (the official app, in Chinese, with account verification) or on Trip.com (in English, guest checkout with your passport).
- Enter your name exactly as in the passport. The ticket is paperless and tied to your passport number; you scan the passport at the gate.
- Sales open about 15 days before departure; popular trains sell out quickly.
General tips
- The name on the ticket must match your passport exactly. In China and Laos the passport is checked at the platform.
- Book night trains and holiday periods (Songkran in April, Tet in Vietnam, New Year, Golden Week in Japan) as early as you can.
- Stations are often far from the city centre (Laos, China). Allow time for the trip to the station and the security check.
- Timetables and fares change. Check the timetable for your travel date before you book.
- Keep your e-ticket as a screenshot or PDF in case the network is poor at the station.
FAQ
Do I need a passport to buy train tickets in Asia?
In China and Laos, yes: it is checked when you buy and on the platform. In Thailand and Vietnam it is needed for some bookings. In Japan you do not need it to buy a ticket.
How far ahead can I book train tickets?
It depends on the country: up to about 6 months in Thailand, from one month in Japan, about 15 days in China, about 60 days in Vietnam, and only a few days to a week in Laos and Cambodia.
Can I buy tickets online from abroad?
Yes, in most countries through the official sites or agents such as Baolau. Only Laos and short local trains in Thailand are mostly bought at the station.
Note: We are an independent information service, not a railway company. If you buy tickets through the booking links on our pages, we may earn a commission; your price does not change. The information is based on public sources (October 2026) and can change. Check the rules and prices with the railway or the seller before you book. (13 October 2026)