Originally Posted by
cxfan1960
I don't have Chinese ID and cannot pick up at a kiosk. So I can only pick them up at a window as early as possible, and I usually go to a station 90 min ahead to pick up. I also pick up my other tickets for the entire trip at the first station at RMB5/ticket. Occasionally I pick up well ahead of time to avoid problems (e.g., pick up Thursday for Friday night travel).
Kiosks have two meanings in our train vernacular:
1. automated machines at train stations that print tickets
2. off site ticket offices and travel agencies that are licensed to sell/print tickets
As has been discussed up thread, there have been sightings of #1 that don't require PRC ID cards, but they are still not commonplace.
#2 is my SOP because it is far preferable to going to the train station early.