12306 Train Query

Query train schedules and remaining tickets from China Railway 12306.

Query Tickets

node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs <from> <to> [options]

• HTML mode (default): writes file, prints path to stdout
• Markdown mode (-f md): prints table to stdout

Examples

# All trains from Beijing to Shanghai (defaults to today)
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 北京 上海

# Markdown table output (to stdout, good for chat)
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 北京 上海 -t G -f md

# Morning departures, 2h max, with second class available
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 上海 杭州 -t G --depart 06:00-12:00 --max-duration 1h --seat ze

# Only bookable trains arriving before 6pm
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 深圳 长沙 --available --arrive -18:00

# Custom output path
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 广州 武汉 -o /tmp/tickets.html

# JSON output (to stdout)
node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 广州 武汉 --json

Options

• -d, --date <YYYY-MM-DD>: Travel date (default: today)
• -t, --type <G|D|Z|T|K>: Filter train types (combinable, e.g. GD)
• --depart <HH:MM-HH:MM>: Depart time range (e.g. 08:00-12:00, 18:00-)
• --arrive <HH:MM-HH:MM>: Arrive time range (e.g. -18:00, 14:00-20:00)
• --max-duration <duration>: Max travel time (e.g. 2h, 90m, 1h30m)
• --available: Only show bookable trains
• --seat <types>: Only show trains with tickets for given seat types (comma-separated: swz,zy,ze,rw,dw,yw,yz,wz)
• -f, --format <html|md>: Output format — html (default, saves file) or md (markdown table to stdout)
• -o, --output <path>: Output file path, html mode only (default: {baseDir}/data/<from>-<to>-<date>.html)
• --json: Output raw JSON to stdout

Output Columns

Values: number = remaining seats, 有 = available (qty unknown), — = not applicable

Station Lookup

node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs 杭州
node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs 香港西九龙

Important Notes for AI Assistant

⚠️ Station Name Resolution Warning

CRITICAL: When querying by city name (e.g., "武汉", "上海", "深圳", "广州"), the API may return trains from/to ANY station in that city, not just the main station.

Common Pitfalls:

• 武汉 includes: 武汉站 (main), 汉口站 (Hankou), 武昌站 (Wuchang), 武汉东站
• 上海 includes: 上海虹桥 (Hongqiao), 上海站 (main), 上海南站, 上海松江站
• 深圳 includes: 深圳北站 (main), 深圳站 (Luohu), 福田站, 深圳东站
• 广州 includes: 广州南站 (main), 广州站, 广州东站, 广州北站

Best Practice - Always verify exact stations:

1. First, use stations.mjs to list all stations in the city:

   node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs 武汉
   

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2. Then, query with exact station names for accurate results:

   node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 武汉 上海虹桥 -f md
   

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🔄 Transfer/Connection Guidelines

When planning transfers (中转):

• Use JSON output (--json) to verify exact station names
• Ensure both segments use the SAME station (e.g., both use 武汉站, not 武汉→汉口)
• Recommended minimum transfer time: 20-30 minutes for same station
• Different stations in same city require additional travel time (e.g., 武汉→汉口 = 30+ min by subway)

📋 Query Workflow Recommendation

For accurate results, follow this workflow:

1. List stations in departure city:

   node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs 北京
   

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2. List stations in arrival city:

   node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs 上海
   

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3. Query with exact station names (e.g., 北京南 → 上海虹桥):

   node {baseDir}/scripts/query.mjs 北京南 上海虹桥 -d 2026-03-05 -f md
   

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4. For transfers: Always verify both segments use the same station by checking fromStation and toStation in JSON output.

Technical Notes

• Data comes directly from 12306 official API (no key needed)
• Station data is cached for 7 days in {baseDir}/data/stations.json
• Works for all train types: G (高铁), D (动车), Z (直达), T (特快), K (快速)