Similar to air travel, train journeys also come with baggage allowances that must be observed. Continue reading to learn about the permissible number of bags for train travel in China and where they should be stowed.
Weight and Size Limits
The maximum weight and size for free carry-on baggage for each passenger is as follows. All items exceeding this should be consigned to a rail freight car (see How to Consign Your Baggage) or mailed separately.
Free Baggage Allowance
- Child (including those with a free ticket): 10 kg (22 lbs)
- Adult: 20 kg (44 lbs)
- Diplomat: 35 kg (77 lbs)
Baggage Size
For normal trains:
- The cumulative measurement of each item's three dimensions (length + width + height) should not surpass 160 cm (63 in). For instance, an item measuring 70 cm x 40 cm x 50 cm would fall within the prescribed limit.
- Exceptions apply to rod-shaped items, such as a fishing rod in its case or a tube containing a painting, which should not exceed 200 cm (79 in) in length. While width restrictions are not explicitly specified, it is presumed that "rod-shaped items" must be less than approximately 10 cm (4 in) in diameter.
For high-speed trains (C, D, and G trains):
- The total of the three dimensions cannot exceed 130 cm (51 in).
- A rod-shaped item cannot exceed 130 cm (51 in).
The weight and size limits detailed above are not applicable to a wheelchair or a pushchair, which has unrestricted access for being taken on board.
In practice, unlike airports where steel boxes are provided for baggage, train stations typically lack such facilities. Generally speaking, passengers are not halted at security checks unless their belongings blatantly violate size or weight restrictions. It's important to note that bikes are not permitted as carry-on baggage unless they are folded to meet the specified dimensions mentioned earlier.
Given the limited baggage space, it is advisable to store your belongings near you, emphasizing the importance of traveling with light luggage. Ensuring that your luggage fits securely on the overhead racks without any parts or straps overhanging is crucial. Loose items, such as water bottles, that have the potential to fall out of a bag or off the rack are routinely requested to be repacked or held securely.
Overhead racks on a high-speed trainThings You Can't Bring on a China Train
Prohibited Items
The items listed below are not permitted on a train or in a train station:
- Weapons: Like knives and guns, as well as offensive items such as imitation guns, stun guns, steel ball guns, sports guns, starting guns, tear gas guns, and any type of bullets.
- Explosive product: Explosives, detonators, fuses, blasting cords, seismic sources, blasting agents, fireworks, etc.
- Compressed gases: petroleum gas, coal gas, oxygen, hydrogen, etc.
- Flammable liquids: adhesives, thinners, spray paint, gasoline and other fuel oils, etc.
- Highly-flammable solids: camphor, hexamine and other solid fuels, etc.
- Poisons: arsenic trioxide and all types of "toxins", pesticide powder, termite powder, pesticide spray, etc.
- Things that interfere with the train's signal, or make passengers panic.
For Animals
Please note that your pets like cats or dogs with quarantine certificates can be consigned, however, the ventilation might not be good enough in pets' coaches. Dangerous animals like snakes or centipedes, can not board on a train.
Guide dogs with official work permits are allowed to accompany their owners on a train, and well-sealed fishes, crabs, shrimps, and aquatic animals are allowed to be taken as carry-on luggage.
Limited Quantity Items
You can take the following items on a train in limited quantities:
- Nail polish, declustering, or hair dye (up to 50 ml)
- Aerosol spray cans/bottles: mousse, hairspray, air freshener, insecticide, etc. Only one bottle or can for each of these kinds of liquid is allowed, and the volume for each bottle or can be within 150 ml, and the total within 600 ml.
- Perfume, floral water, and other liquids with inflammable components are permitted, with a limit of one bottle for each type of liquid. The volume of each bottle should not exceed 100 ml.
- Two small boxes of safety matches
- Two ordinary lighters
- Mobile charger or lithium battery up to 100 watt-hours. Wheelchairs with lithium batteries can exceed 100 watt-hours.
- Well-sealed alcoholic beverage up to 3,000 ml; 24% to 70% alcohol by volume.
Where to Put Your Baggage on a Train
Baggage space is limited and it is better to store your baggage near you in your car, so it is recommended to travel lightly.
On a High-Speed Train (G, D and C Trains)
Luggage racks for 24-inch suitcases: There are luggage racks over the seats at either side of a carriage.
- Size: 45 - 50 cm wide, 50 - 60 cm high (suitable for a 24-inch suitcase)
Shelves for larger suitcases: At the joint between two cars, you can place your large suitcases on the shelves.
- Height: 1 m (suitable for a 28-inch suitcase)
Room behind the last row of seats: Usually there will be a certain amount of room between the last row of seats and the wall of a car to put large suitcases.
- Size: the length of the seats and the width of a standing passenger
Special notice:
1. Your luggage must fit safely on the overhead racks with no parts or straps overhanging. Loose items, such as water bottles, that may fall out of a bag or off the rack are routinely required to be repacked or held.
2. Be aware that the shelf space is very limited and suitcases may be piled on top of one another. It's recommended to check-in early and place your items inward if you are going to have a long journey and don't want others to move your belongings in and out.
3. Sometimes, the room behind the last row of seats will be occupied by passengers who purchased standing tickets.
Barrier-Free Wheelchair Car
Each D/G train has a barrier-free carriage with wide corridor access and a disabled toilet. This is usually, for example, the fourth car (central on a typical 8-car train), and so closest to the platform-access lift, and usually the bar car too. This includes:
- A place for wheelchairs to park, with a belt to fasten them.
- Sockets to charge electric wheelchairs for free.
Ordinary Speed Trains
For seat cars:
Luggage racks above the seats: The space available in racks in normal trains is bigger than that found in high-speed trains.
- Width and height: Each rack is about 55 cm wide and 50 cm high (22*19 in) and a large 28-inch suitcase can be placed on one.
Room under your seat: If there is no space on a rack to place your baggage, you can place it under your seat.
- Height: 30 cm
Room under the small table: There is a small table between the seats. If your suitcase is too heavy to place on the luggage rack, or too thick to place under your seat, you can put it under the small desk that is near your seat.
- Height: 70 cm
For Sleeper Cars:
If you are taking a sleeper car, you can place your baggage on the opposite side to the berths, under the lower berth, or under the small desk in your compartment.
- Height: 50 cm wide and 40 cm high in the luggage rack, 25 cm under a berth, and 70 cm under the small desk
Special notice:
1. It's sensible to put your baggage on the luggage rack that is opposite your seat, so that you can keep an eye on it.
2. High-value items should be kept where they are accessible to you, especially when in a sleeper car. Lights will be turned off around 10pm in a sleeper car.
How to Consign Your Baggage
If you prefer not to carry excessive baggage, you have the option of consigning your baggage at the train station before departure. Typically, your baggage can be transported in a freight car on the same train as you, allowing you to retrieve it upon arrival at the destination train station.
How to Use Baggage Consignment
1. Find the Baggage Consignment Office
The baggage consignment office (in Chinese: 行李托运处) is usually just beside the ticket office.
2. Fill in the Form
The staff will give you a form to fill in (in Chinese) with your name, address, phone number, amount and weight of items. If you don't know how to fill in the form, you can ask staff members for help.
When you show your train ticket and pay you'll be given a consignment collection voucher for the equivalent journey.
Remember to pack your fragile items and electronic products carefully, as they may be damaged during transportation. You can buy consignment insurance for them there.
See Taking a Bike on a Train in China if you would like to consign your bicycle.
3. Pay the Consignment Fee
The consignment fee is calculated according to your baggage's weight and the journey's distance.
- Starting weight: 1 kg
- Starting distance: 20 km
Prices also vary with baggage type, so we can't give you exact prices. But usually the price is much cheaper than express delivery. If your luggage exceeds 50 kg, the overweight baggage consignment price is double the equivalent price below 50 kg.
- Maximum weight: 50 kg (110 lb), 75 kg if a wheel chair is included in the baggage.
- Size: It must be able to fit through a luggage car (approx. 2m high and 1m wide), and must measure no less than 0.01 cube, which is the volume of a 21 cm (8 inch) cube.
Special notice:
1. High-value items should be escorted: Your consigned baggage should not contain high-value amounts of any currency, bonds, cultural and historical relics, gold, silver, and jewelry, or important documents or materials. You can arrange an escort service for these valuable items.
2. Prohibited/restricted items are also not allowed to be consigned. If your baggage contains items that are restricted by the government regulations, please provide transport certificates. See Customs Regulations for restricted items.
3. High-speed trains don't currently provide a baggage consignment service.
Usually, there are closets for large baggage at the joint between two cars on high-speed trains.
If you still need a baggage consignment service, you can consign your baggage on an ordinary speed train. The disadvantages are that your baggage will not arrive at the same time as you and you may need to go to another train station to collect it.
Collecting Your Baggage
After you and your baggage have arrived, you can collect your baggage using the baggage collection vouchers that the carrier gave you.
The carriers will keep your baggage without charging a fee for three days. If you fail to collect your baggage within three days, you will need to pay a storage fee.
Luggage Porters
If your baggage is too heavy to carry by yourself, you can find a "red cap" luggage porter to help you take it on your train. There are usually some staff members in red caps or red jackets at a railway station. You can see them easily in front of the train station. The service fee is about 20 yuan (3 USD) for each item.
Recommended Train Travel Tours in China
If you are planning a tour in China and want to experience a high-speed train, please see the following itineraries for inspiration:
- 5-Day Shanghai and Its Neighbors Bullet Train Tour - modern Shanghai and traditional water towns
- See more China Train Travel Tours
Not interested in the above tours? Our tours can be customized or tailor-made from scratch. Just tell us your interests and requirements and we will help you design your China tour.