Is there any downside in purchasing high-speed train tickets in China via the official website, instead of third-party agencies?

I read that high-speed train tickets in China might be purchased online either via the official website or some third-party agency such as chinahighlights.com or china-diy-travel.com. Is there any downside in purchasing high-speed train tickets in China via the official website, instead of third-party agencies? I wonder whether purchasing via the official website is always preferable or going through some third-party agency has some upside (e.g., price, ticket availability, etc.).

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Is there any downside in purchasing high-speed train tickets in China via the official website, instead of third-party agencies? - Focused Asian couple buying ticket on station

Is there any downside in purchasing high-speed train tickets in China via the official website, instead of third-party agencies? - Mountain range with plants and national flags in summer

Is there any downside in purchasing high-speed train tickets in China via the official website, instead of third-party agencies? - Crop businessman giving contract to woman to sign

Can foreigners buy train tickets in China?

Purchase Directly Through the China Railway Bureau: This option is absolutely free but has limitations for foreigners. For example, you'll need to be able to read/write Chinese characters in order to navigate the all-Chinese website and you'll also be required to pay using a Chinese bank account.

How do I buy train tickets in China?

There are five ways to buy train tickets in China:

Book online with a travel agency like China Highlights.

Buy tickets at a train station.

Buy tickets at a ticket office.

Book at China Railway's official website.

Book ticket by telephone.

Can you buy a ticket in China?

Passengers can buy tickets for any route in China at any station at an extra cost of about 5 Yuan. If you are buying tickets for a route starting at the station you are at, you do have to pay the extra fee. As mentioned above, one can also buy train tickets at local ticket offices in the city.

How much does it cost to ride the high speed train in China?

Three kinds of seats are available on the 300kph train - the second class seats, the first class seats and VIP Seats (Sightseeing Seat). The ticket price varies from 555 Yuan to 1750Yuan per one way trip. The 250 kph train has the same seating but the price ranges from 410 Yuan to 1260 Yuan per one way trip.

FASTEST TRAIN Beijing to Shanghai | How to book train tickets in China

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