Homeward bound: Your guide to a smooth spring festival journey

又是一年春运时，能抢到火车票回家过年，对大多数人来说，是暂别忙碌、回归本真的难得时光。一年到头的奔波与辛苦，都在踏上归乡路这一刻有了意义，满心都是马上要和家人团聚的喜悦。

As the Spring Festival travel rush begins, securing a train ticket home for the Chinese New Year, for most people, is a rare chance to escape from the hustle and bustle and return to their true selves. A year's worth of hard work finds its true meaning in the warmth of family reunion.

据中国国家铁路集团有限公司1月14日透露，2025年春运全国铁路发送旅客有望突破5.1亿人次，日均1275万人次，同比2024年春运增长5.5%。

According to the statistics released by the China State Railway Group Co Ltd, passenger trips, in terms of rail travel, are projected to exceed 510 million, with a daily average of 12.75 million trips, a 5.5 percent increase compared to 2024.

面对如此庞大的客流需求，铁路部门将在为期40天（1月14日-2月22日）的春运中全力以赴，力求将旅客运输能力最大化。

The railway department will mobilize all resources to ensure optimal passenger transportation capacity during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush from Jan 14 to Feb 22, which is expected to witness a significant increase in travel demand.

然而，即便铁路部门已倾尽全力，在这场规模宏大的春运浪潮中，部分线路的车票资源仍旧紧张。仍有不少人在抢票中败下阵来，面临一票难求的局面，焦急万分。别担心，接下来为大家奉上一系列实用抢票攻略，助力各位顺利踏上温暖的归乡之路。

Despite the railway department's best efforts, tickets for some routes remain in high demand, leaving many frustrated in their attempts to secure one. Don't lose hope! Here are some strategies to help you secure your journey home for the festival.

巧用铁路12306新利器

春运期间，铁路12306在北京市、天津市、上海市、江苏省、浙江省、广东省各车站往返四川省、重庆市各车站始发终到列车的长途区段车票发售中试点推出“系统自动提交购票订单”功能。

旅客朋友可预填购票信息并预支付票款，铁路12306将根据旅客设定自动为其提交订单，使购票更加便捷。

Leverage the new 12306 feature

During the Spring Festival travel rush, the railway's 12306 platform has introduced a pilot system of auto-submission for ticket purchase feature for trains between stations in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Chongqing.

Travelers can pre-fill their booking information and prepay, allowing the system to automatically submit orders on their behalf, making the ticket-buying process more convenient.

特殊群体的归乡捷径

在春运期间，铁路部门为特殊群体提供贴心服务。铁路 12306 专门上线了学生和务工人员预约提前订票功能，极大方便符合条件的务工人员和学生预约购票，解决他们的购票难题。

不仅如此，部分城市之间还实现联动，开启了爱心返乡专列。1月12日清晨6时32分，G1136次列车载着700余名湖北荆门籍在粤务工人员驶出广州南站，一路直奔荆门西站。

本次暖心返乡专列，从 1 月 12 日至 17 日，分别从广州南、北京西、上海虹桥三个方向，共安排 6 趟车次，免费接返荆门籍在外经商务工人员，预计将帮助 2000 人顺利踏上归乡之旅 。

Special channels for specific groups

During the season, special services are available for certain groups. The 12306 platform offers early ticket reservation functions for students and migrant workers, simplifying their travel plans.

As part of a broader effort to support migrant workers, several cities have organized free return trains. The first of these, train G1136, departed Guangzhou South Station on Jan 12 at 6:32 am, carrying over 700 workers from Jingmen, Hubei.

From Jan12 to 17, a total of six trains will operate from major cities, offering free transport to about 2,000 Jingmen residents, demonstrating a commitment to supporting those who work far from home.

候补购票帮您捡漏

倘若未能第一时间抢到心仪的车票，也别灰心，候补购票是个不错的选择。铁路部门曾透露，候补购票成功的概率在部分热门线路可达20%左右。

在铁路 12306 上提交候补订单，就如同在等待一个未知的惊喜。

Try standby ticketing for a second chance

If your desired ticket attempt fails, don't despair! The standby ticketing feature on the 12306 platform can be a great backup option. The railway department said that the success rate for standby tickets on some popular routes can reach 20 percent.

To submit a standby order on the 12306 platform is like to wait for a delightful surprise.

条条大路通罗马

如果直达车票秒售空，大家也可以及时规划行程，选择中转车次，或许可以峰回路转。分路段购票也不失为良机。大家不必只盯着目的地购票，可以尝试购买行程中任意一个站点的票，先上车然后补票，也能顺利回家。

第三方平台和电话订票也能发挥奇效。可以选择携程、飞猪等第三方购票平台，或者在网络繁忙时，直接电话购票。

选择其他的出行方式。以拼车为例，通过一些正规的拼车平台，乘客可以与同一路线的其他乘客共同分担出行费用，既经济实惠又能确保出行的及时性。

Multiple routes to your destination

If direct tickets are sell out in seconds, you could try to explore alternative routes such as choosing connecting trains or splitting your journey into segments. You don't need to limit yourself to tickets directly to your destination. Buying a ticket to any stop along the way and completing the journey later is also a viable option.

If online platforms are struggling, explore alternative booking channels. Third-party platforms such as Ctrip and Fliggy, or direct phone bookings, can offer a better chance of securing a ticket during peak hours.

Alternatively, you could also explore other travel methods, such as carpooling. Passenger, through regulated carpooling platforms, can share costs with others traveling the same route, making it an economical and timely choice.

归途中的温暖守护

对于那些幸运抢到票的人来说，旅途本身便是下一个篇章。然而，旅途并非总是一帆风顺。

去年，武汉的一场突如其来的暴风雪让数千人滞留，车站就成了温暖的家。今年，部分城市包括宁夏银川，预测有暴风雪，相关部门早早开始行动，全力扫除障碍。道路上，清雪车昼夜不停，清扫积雪；车站里，工作人员加班加点，为旅客提供及时的信息和帮助。

Overcoming challenges on the journey home

Securing a ticket is just the beginning. The journey itself presents its own set of challenges. Travel isn't always smooth sailing.

Last year, a sudden snowstorm in Wuhan left thousands stranded, turning railway stations into temporary shelters filled with warmth and care.

This year, some cities, including Yinchuan of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, are bracing for heavy snowstorms. Local authorities are already taking action to ensure a smoother journey for all, with snowplows clearing routes and station employees providing assistance.

相信大家或多或少都有自己的独家抢票秘籍。快在评论区分享一下你的抢票妙招吧，说不定能帮到正在为车票发愁的小伙伴，让更多人能顺利踏上温暖的归乡路，一起为团圆助力！

Everyone might have their own tried-and-true methods for securing tickets. Share your ticket-grabbing tips in the comments section below—you might just help someone struggling to get home.

Let's work together to ensure more people can embark on a warm and joyful journey home for a family reunion!