High-Speed Train Seat Guide for Foreigners: Choose Window/Aisle on 12306 & Trip.com
- cometodolphinunion
- Sep 19
- 6 min read
Most foreign friends fall in love with Chongqing’s 8D fun—trains weaving through buildings, stairs that climb to the 10th floor—but as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and planned trips for 200+ expats over 8 years), I know a tiny but annoying problem: picking the wrong train seat.
Imagine this: You book a ticket to Dazu Rock Carvings, excited to see the views, but end up stuck in a middle seat between two strangers. Or you bring a big suitcase and get an aisle seat with no storage. I’ve seen this happen to so many friends! That’s why I made this guide: to teach you how to read seat maps, choose window/aisle seats on 12306 and Trip.com, and pick seats that fit your needs (like extra space for luggage). No more seat regrets—this is how I help my friends travel comfortably. （High-speed train seat guide for foreigners）
1. Understand High-Speed Train Seat Maps First – High-speed train seat guide for foreigners
Before you pick a seat, you need to know what the numbers and letters mean. It’s simple—once you learn this, you’ll never guess again.
1.1 Seat Code Meanings (All Trains Use This!)
G/D Trains (Fastest High-Speed Trains):
Second-class seats: 3+2 layout (3 seats on one side, 2 on the other). Codes: A (window), B (middle), C (aisle), D (aisle), F (window).
First-class seats: 2+2 layout. Codes: A (window), C (aisle), D (aisle), F (window).
Business-class seats: 2+1 layout. Codes: A (window), C (aisle), F (window).
Pro Tip: Look for “A” or “F” if you want a window seat—they’re always window seats, no matter the class. “C” or “D” = aisle seats.
1.2 Which Seats to Pick (My Personal Preferences)
For Views (Dazu/Wushan Trips): Second-class “A” seat (left side of the train). The left side faces the mountains when going to Dazu, so you’ll see green peaks, not just fields.
For Luggage: Aisle seat (“C” or “D”) in the first row of a carriage. There’s extra space near the door to put big suitcases.
For Quiet: Seats near the front (carriage 1–2) or back (carriage 8–10). Avoid seats near the toilet—people walk by nonstop.
Personal Story: My friend from Canada wanted to see the Three Gorges on his trip to Wushan. I told him to pick a “F” seat (right side) on the G8732 train—he sent me photos of the Wu Gorge later, saying it was “the best view of his life.”
2. How to Choose Seats on 12306 – High-speed train seat guide for foreigners
12306 is the official app, and it’s free to use. Here’s how to pick your perfect seat step by step.
2.1 Step-by-Step Seat Selection on 12306
Search for Your Train: Open 12306 (English mode), enter your route (e.g., Chongqing West → Dazu North), date, and number of passengers. Tap “Search Trains.”
Select Your Train: Choose the train you want (e.g., G8751, 10:00 AM departure). Tap “Book.”
Choose Seats: A seat map will pop up—gray seats = taken, white seats = available. Tap a white seat (e.g., 12A for window) to select it.
Confirm: Check the seat code again (don’t accidentally pick a middle seat!), then tap “Submit Order.”
Avoid This: Don’t tap “Auto Assign” unless all seats are taken. It often gives middle seats—my friend from Australia did this once, and he was stuck between two people for 1 hour.
2.2 12306 Seat Map Tips (Hidden Tricks)
Check Seat Availability Early: Book tickets as soon as they go on sale (15 days early). Popular seats (window/aisle) sell out fast for holiday trips.
Use the “Filter” Function: Some 12306 versions let you filter seats by “window” or “aisle.” Look for the filter icon (looks like a funnel) on the seat map page.
Personal Touch: I helped my friend from France book a seat to Yichang last month. We used the filter to find window seats, and we got 2 seats together (15A and 15F)—perfect for taking photos of the Three Gorges.
2.3 Luggage-Friendly Seats on 12306
Best Seats for Big Luggage: Aisle seats in row 1, 10, 17 (these rows have extra storage near the door).
What to Avoid: Seats in the middle of the carriage (rows 5–8). The overhead racks are small, and there’s no space for big suitcases.
Pro Tip: If you have a suitcase over 24 inches, send it as checked luggage at the train station (¥20–¥30). It’s easier than trying to fit it on the train.
3. How to Choose Seats on Trip.com – High-speed train seat guide for foreigners
Trip.com has a simpler English interface, but it charges a small fee. Here’s how to pick seats without mistakes.
3.1 Step-by-Step Seat Selection on Trip.com
Search for Your Train: Open Trip.com, select “Trains,” enter your route (Chongqing North → Wushan), date, and passengers. Tap “Search.”
Select “Choose Seat”: Next to your train, tap “Choose Seat” (not “Book Now”—that auto-assigns seats).
Pick Your Seat: The seat map shows colors: green = available, red = taken. Tap a green seat (e.g., 8C for aisle) and confirm.
Pay: Review your seat and fee (usually ¥10–¥20), then pay.
Pro Tip: Trip.com shows “seat recommendations” (e.g., “Good for views”)—use this if you’re not sure. But double-check the code (A/F = window!)—sometimes the recommendations are wrong.
3.2 Trip.com Seat Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Ignore the “Fee”: Trip.com charges a seat selection fee (¥5–¥10) on top of the ticket fee. 12306 is free—use 12306 if you want to save money.
Don’t Book “Unavailable” Seats: If a seat is gray, it’s taken—don’t tap it repeatedly. Refresh the page instead—sometimes seats become available.
Personal Story: My friend from Italy used Trip.com and tapped a “recommended” seat (12B)—it was a middle seat! He didn’t check the code, and he had to sit between two locals. Now he always checks for “A” or “F.”
3.3 Group Seat Booking on Trip.com
How to Book Seats Together: Tap “Group Booking” (for 2+ people) and select “Seats Together.” Trip.com will show available seat pairs (e.g., 5A and 5F).
Why It’s Better Than 12306: 12306 sometimes splits groups, but Trip.com prioritizes together seats. I used this for a family of 4 from the US—they got 4 seats in a row, no problem.
4. Special Tips for Chongqing Routes – High-speed train seat guide for foreigners
Chongqing’s train routes have unique views and challenges. These tips will make your trip better.
4.1 Seats for Views (Dazu/Wushan/Three Gorges)
Chongqing West → Dazu North: Left side (“A” seats) has mountain views; right side (“F” seats) has fields. Pick “A” for photos.
Chongqing North → Wushan: Right side (“F” seats) faces the Yangtze River—you’ll see the river and cliffs.
Chongqing → Yichang: Left side (“A” seats) for Three Gorges views (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge).
Trust Me: I’ve taken every Chongqing route 10+ times. These seat sides give the best views—no exceptions.
4.2 Seats for Luggage (Chongqing Airport to City)
Chongqing Jiangbei Airport → Chongqing North Station: Aisle seat (“C” or “D”) in row 1. The door is near row 1, so you can grab your luggage fast and exit first.
Avoid Seats Near Toilets: Row 10–12 have toilets—people will bump your luggage when walking by.
4.3 Holiday Seat Hacks (Chunyun/National Day)
Book Early: Seats sell out 15 days early—set alarms. I helped my friend from Brazil book a window seat to Dazu 15 days early—he was the first to book, so he got his pick.
Use “Waitlist”: If your seat is taken, join the waitlist (12306 and Trip.com have this). When someone cancels, you’ll get the seat. My friend from Canada waited 2 days and got a window seat!
Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Chongqing Train Travel
I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the small details I can’t fit here. The guide includes screenshots of 12306/Trip.com seat maps (marked with best seats for Chongqing routes) and a luggage size chart (what fits in overhead racks)—two exclusive tips you won’t find in this blog.
Last week, a reader from Canada messaged me. He used to always get middle seats, but after following my guide, he booked a window seat to Wushan. He said, “I took so many photos of the Yangtze River—thank you for teaching me about seat codes!” He even sent me a photo of the view—it was stunning.
If you don’t want to stress about picking seats, or worry about missing views or storage space, grab our DolphinUnion guide. It’s like having a local friend with you the whole time—no more seat mistakes, no more uncomfortable trips. You’ll pick the perfect seat every time, enjoy the views, and focus on the fun parts of Chongqing: hot pot, ancient towns, and amazing natural spots.
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