Travel Light on China’s High-Speed Rail: How the New Luggage Service Works
Travelling by high-speed train in China is fast and efficient, but carrying large suitcases through crowded stations, long corridors, and security checks can still be exhausting, especially for the elderly or those with young families.
To address this, China Railway has expanded a luggage handling service known as “Light Travel” (轻装行). The service allows passengers to send their luggage to or from the train station, reducing the need to carry heavy bags through rail terminals.
The service is now available at more than 100 major railway stations nationwide, including Haikou East Station, making it particularly useful for travelers in Hainan.
This article explains what the service is, how it works, what it costs, and how to use it step by step.
What Is the “Light Travel” Service?
“Light Travel” (轻装行) is an official China Railway luggage service operated by China Railway Express.
It allows passengers to:
- Send luggage from a home or hotel to a railway station
- Or send luggage from a railway station to their destination
- Travel without carrying bags through the station
Important clarification: This service does not handle luggage on the train itself.
Passengers are still responsible for carrying and storing their own bags onboard.
What the Service Does, and Does Not Do
✅ What It Covers
- Door-to-station luggage delivery
- Station-to-door luggage delivery
- Secure handling by railway staff
- Same-city transport
- Booking through the official railway system
❌ What It Does NOT Cover
- No porter service on the train
- Staff will not bring your luggage to your seat
- No inter-city shipping
Once your luggage reaches the platform, you carry it onto the train yourself, just as with normal rail travel.
Where the Service Is Available
As of early 2026, the service is available at over 110 railway stations nationwide, including:
- Haikou East Station (海口东站)
- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
- Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing
- Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an
- Harbin, Urumqi, Lhasa
This means travelers in Hainan can now use the service when taking high-speed rail, particularly useful during holidays or long-distance trips.
How to Book the Service
Step 1: Use China’s Official Railway App
The service is booked through China’s official railway app, “12306”, which is required for purchasing train tickets in China.
If you’ve taken a train in China before, you already have this app installed.
Inside the app:
- Open “All Services” (全部应用)
- Select “Light Travel” (轻装行)
Step 2: Choose Your Service Type
You can choose one of two options:
① Door → Station
- Luggage collected from your home or hotel
- Delivered to the railway station
- Must be booked 48 to 4 hours before departure
② Station → Door
- Luggage collected at arrival station
- Delivered to your hotel or home
- Must be booked 24 to 1 hour before arrival
- Delivery completed within 5 hours
Step 3: Enter Booking Details
You’ll need to provide:
- Train ticket information
- Pickup or delivery address
- Preferred time
- Number of bags
- Estimated weight
Step 4: Upload Luggage Photos
For verification, you must upload:
- Up to 3 photos
- JPG or PNG format
- Max size: 3MB per photo
This helps staff confirm size and handling requirements.
Step 5: Submit and Confirm
After submission, you’ll receive:
- An order number
- A pickup code
- A delivery code
These codes are required when handing over or receiving luggage.
Pricing
The service is charged per item, not by weight.
| Service Type | Price |
| Door → Station | ¥68 |
| Station → Door | ¥68 |
| Door → Platform | ¥98 |
| Platform → Door | ¥98 |
Business-Class Option
At selected major stations (e.g., Beijing West, Beijing South, Guangzhou South, Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao, Hangzhou East), luggage can be delivered directly to business-class waiting areas for ¥98 per item.
Luggage Size & Weight Limits
Weight Limits
- Adults: 20 kg
- Children: 10 kg
- Diplomatic passengers: 35 kg
Size Limits
- Regular trains: ≤160 cm (L + W + H)
- High-speed trains: ≤130 cm (L + W + H)
All items must comply with China Railway safety regulations.
How Luggage Is Handled
Before Departure
- Staff collect luggage at the scheduled time
- Security inspection is completed
- Luggage is delivered to the station or platform
After Arrival
- Staff collect luggage from the platform or locker
- Delivered to destination within 5 hours
- Recipient confirms delivery using the pickup code
Important Reminder for Travelers
This is not an airline-style baggage service.
You must:
- Carry your luggage onto the train yourself
- Store it in overhead racks or designated areas
- Retrieve it when you exit
The service only handles transport to and from the station, not the train journey itself.
Who This Service Is Best For
✔ Travelers with heavy suitcases
✔ Families with children
✔ Elderly passengers
✔ Visitors unfamiliar with large stations
✔ Travelers staying at hotels
✔ High-speed rail users during peak seasons
❌ Not suitable for:
- Oversized items
- Dangerous goods
- Last-minute departures
Customer Support
- China Railway Hotline: 12306
- China Railway Express: 95572
- Available via:
- 12306 App
- WeChat Mini Program
With Haikou East Station now included, the “Light Travel” service significantly improves rail travel in Hainan. While it doesn’t replace carrying luggage onboard, it removes the most tiring part of the journey, getting bags to and from the station.
For residents, expats, and visitors alike, it’s a practical upgrade that makes China’s high-speed rail system even easier to use.
Related article: Chunyun: 40 Days, Millions of Journeys, the World’s Largest Travel Rush
