China State Railway Extends Senior Fare Discounts Through Year-End

Following the commencement of the 2026/2027 winter-spring flight and rail season on October 25, 2026, the China State Railway Group has optimized its senior fare concession policy. This initiative, which builds upon successful midweek promotions earlier this year, provides targeted financial relief for older travellers. The policy applies to all train services specifically marked with the character "Jing" ("敬") on the official Railway 12306 booking platform.

The discount program is valid for travel between October 18 and December 30, 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to encourage domestic travel during the off-peak winter season, ensuring that the national rail network remains accessible to the country's aging demographic. As the winter-spring schedule introduces new frequencies and route adjustments, these fare concessions serve as a key incentive for senior citizens to utilize rail transport over other modes of travel.

This policy directly impacts travellers aged 60 and above who are planning domestic rail travel within China. It is particularly relevant for those booking tickets through the official 12306 system during the specified promotional window.

Makutet anticipates that this policy will lead to higher load factors on secondary rail routes during the winter months. By digitizing the discount process through the 12306 app, the China State Railway is effectively gathering data on senior travel patterns, which will likely inform future infrastructure and service adjustments for the 2027 peak travel seasons.