Great Tibet Tour Logo GREAT TIBET TOUR ®

Lhasa to Shigatse Train

  • by Nance
  • Last Updated: 2025-04-30

Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is a line connecting Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet Autonomous Region. It runs east-west and is an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It starts from Lhasa Station (3,650m) in the east and ends at Shigatse Station (4,000m) in the west, with a total length of 248 kilometers and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. If you are planning to go on a Shigatse trip, it’s a great idea for you to take a train from Lhasa to Shigatse.

Lhasa Shigatse train route
Lhasa to Shigatse train route

Schedule and Fare

There are three trains departing from Lhasa to Shigatse: Z8801, C887, and Z8803. Among them, C887 is a high-speed train, while Z8801 and Z8803 are regular trains.

Lhasa to Shigatse Train

Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration
C8801 08:10 - 10:39 2h 29m
C887 13:00 - 15:20 2h 20m
Z8803 15:05 - 18:11 3h 06m

Shigatse to Lhasa Train

Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration
Z8802 11:30 - 14:15 2h 45m
C888 15:50 - 18:10 2h 20m
Z8804 18:50 - 21:10 2h 20m

Nota Bene:

1. High-speed Train seats are divided into business class, first class, and second class, while regular trains provide options such as hard sleeper, hard seat, and standing ticket. Prices and comfort levels vary accordingly. Passengers can make a choice according to their own needs and inform customer service.

2. Since travel in Tibet is very popular, the actual demand for train tickets far exceeds the supply. You may pay a higher price for an online train ticket.

Lhasa Railway Station

Lhasa railway station, located at an altitude of 3,650 meters, is the largest railway station in the Qinghai-Tibet railway line. It's about 8 kilometers from Potala Palace. At present, it connects Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shigatse by train. The successful completion of the Lhasa railway station shows that the land bridge between Tibet and inland China is formally formed. It is an important channel for economic prosperity and cultural exchanges.

lhasa Railway Station
Lhasa Railway Station

Shigatse Railway Station

Shigatse Railway Station, 253 kilometers away from Lhasa railway station, is the terminus of the Lhasa - Shigatse Railway. As it is about 8 kilometers away from the Tashilunpo Monastery, about 20 minutes drive and 150 kilometers away from Sakya Monastery, about 3 hours' drive. It is also the nearest railway station to the base camp of Mt. Everest, the distance between which is about 360 kilometers, about 7 hour's drive.

the three kings of Tibet who supported Buddhism
Shigatse Railway Station

Landscapes

With beautiful natural scenery and unique Tibetan customs, Lhasa - Shigatse Railway is also a new tourist train route on the Tibetan plateau. The train departs from Lhasa and travels southwest along the Lhasa River Valley. You can enjoy the magnificent valley scenery along the way. Then proceed along the Brahmaputra River. The river meanders in a narrow valley. The mountains on both sides are steep and the scenery is spectacular. You will see Tibetan villages, local dwellings, cattle and sheep, as well as shepherds and their nomadic life.

Scenery along the railway
Lhasa River Valley and Brahmaputra River Valley
Ask a Quick Question Below?
or Email Us

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by sarb***

we are planning a trip from chengdu to llasa and onwards to everest base camp and finally at nepal border. then we go onwards to kathmandu.
whats the best option.
the trip is from 12 may and finish 21/22 may.
please advise trains fare and tour in llasa.

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Sarb****,

We can arrange a Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Tour for you. We also can help you book the soft-sleeper train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa on 12 May.

I suggest you consider our tourist vehicle from Lhasa to Shigatse rather than a train because our vehicle to EBC is arranged from Lhasa. 

Here's the recommended itinerary. 7 Days Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour

You May Like