Xining to Lhasa Train
- Last Updated: 2022-03-07

The distance of Xining to Lhasa train is 1972km/1233 miles, which takes 22 hours. It's an ideal place to start your Tibet train tour, as you will ascend your altitude from Xining(2,261 meters) to Lhasa(3,650 meters) gradually therefore you will have enough time to acclimatize the elevation. Xining is the start point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the capital city of Qinghai Province.
The railway from Xining to Lhasa was finished until 2006 while the station was set in 1959. It now serves as the main station for trains to Lhasa, and all trains to Tibet pass through the city so it's actually the main train station for many trips to Tibet.

Xining to Lhasa Train Schedules
The Z6801 is the only train from Xining to Lhasa. It departs from Xining at 13:50 from Xining Train Station every day and arrives in Lhasa at 11:20 on the next day. And the rest are all through trains. The train running from Xining is pressurized, supplied with artificial oxygen, and sealed. The windows have ultraviolet filters to protect passengers from UV radiation.
Besides Z6801, you also have other choices. For better scenery, you are recommended to take Z165 as it passes through the major scenic spots in the daytime.
Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Frequency | Hard sleeper Ticket | Soft Sleeper Ticket |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Z323 | Chengdu to Lhasa | 12:20/09:56 | 21:36 | Every Other Day | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
Z223 | Chongqing to Lhasa | 12:20/09:56 | 21:36 | Every Other Day | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
Z9821 | Xining to Lhasa | 13:50/11:20 | 21:30 | Daily(seasonal) | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
Z21 | Beijing to Lhasa | 15:20/12:30 | 21:10 | Daily | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
Z265 | Guangzhou to Lhasa | 19:41/16:56 | 21:15 | Daily | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
Z165 | Shanghai to Lhasa | 21:20/19:26 | 22:06 | Daily | CNY495 / 76USD | CNY781 / USD120 |
How to Get to Xining Railway Station?
There are three railway stations in Xining, among which only Xining Railway Station( 西宁站) provides passenger service. Xining Railway Station is located in the center of Xining City, Qinghai Province. It is the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and connects Lhasa, Golmud, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, etc. Therefore, it has become the largest railway hub on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Most trains to Lhasa stop at Xining Railway Station, and it takes about 22 hours from Xining to Lhasa.
From Xining Downtown, 5 miles(8 km) away.
By Bus: There are 10 special bus lines to the West Railway Station in Xining City, including No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4, No.5, No.26, No.41, No.58, No.83, and No.109. Also 7 bus lines pass through Xining Railway Station, including No. 17, No. 22, No. 33, No. 105, etc.
By Taxi: It takes about 24 minutes and 35 CNY.
From Xining Caojiabao International Airport, 19 miles(30 km) away.
By Bus: You can take the direct airport bus line 1 (Chengdong District). The fare is 21 yuan, and the journey takes about 50 minutes.
By Taxi: It usually takes about 35 minutes. If you go through the Beijing-Tibet Expressway G6, travel time can be shortened to about 25 minutes.
Facilities Onboard
Cabins on Tibet trains
Oxygen supply
Altitude sickness is always an important and considerable issue for travelers who are planning train tours to Tibet. As a matter of fact, there are two kinds of oxygen supply systems that can relatively reduce the effect of high altitude on the train. So there is no need to worry too much about suffering from altitude sickness on board.
Life on the train
There is one dining car offering food and drinks on each train to Tibet. At the end of each coach, there are toilets and washing basins. The train from Xining to Lhasa offers spoiled water for 21 hours so you can bring some instant noodles, coffee, and tea with you.
The Advantages of Taking Xining to Lhasa Train
1. The shortest way to Lhasa by train within 22 hours
Xining is the ideal choice for travelers who want to travel to Tibet by train but not willing to stay too long on the train. The train to Lhasa takes around 21~ 22hours across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with a distance of 1,972km. It is the shortest train journey to Tibet that only takes one night on the train.
2. More helpful to acclimate altitude changes
It is ideal for travelers to get to Xining (2,261 meters) first, stay there for at least 1 day and then take a train to Lhasa. Comparing with departing from Beijing (44 meters), Shanghai (16 meters), Chengdu (485 meters) and other cities, the altitude changes are the smallest so it's easier for people to acclimate.
3. More chances to get a train ticket to Lhasa from Xining
The demand for train tickets from Xining to Lhasa is the largest among all the other trains going to Tibet. And it is much easier to get a ticket meeting your required departure time from Xining than from any other city in China. There are about 6 Tibet trains from other cities with larger transportation capacity heading to Lhasa passing from Xining each day.
4. No need to transit to the Tibet train
5. Numerous tourists attractions in Xining
As the east gate of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, there are many top attractions in Xining. In the southwest part of the city is the Kumbum Monastery - one of the six Great Monasteries of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. And a 600-year-old Dongguan Mosque, one of the top 4 mosques in Northwest China, just in the Xining city zone. And it’s big enough to hold over 300 Muslims in prayer.
Top Highlights along Xining-Lhasa Train
Qinghai Lake
Hoh Xil
Hoh Xil, a national nature reserve, is located in the hinterland of the Tibetan Plateau and retains the original ecological environment and unique natural landscape. There are the Kunlun Mountains to the north and Tanggula Mountains to the south, with an average elevation of more than 4,500 meters. Along with the railway, you can see many wild animals, not only the yaks, wild donkeys and horses but also the Tibetan antelopes if you are lucky. The natural landscape of Hoh Xil is unique, with rivers crisscrossing and lakes dotted around. There are also "Salt Flowers" blooming by the salt lake and hot springs steaming under the glaciers.
Tanggula Mountains
Cona Lake
Cona Lake is the highest freshwater lake in the world, at an altitude of 4,800 meters above sea level. It is the "holy lake" in the minds of the local Tibetans. Thousands of believers come to worship every Tibetan dragon year. It's one of the most famous scenic spots in Amdo and along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. On the east side of the lake, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes by the tranquil and beautiful sacred lake, just 20 meters closer. >> See more scenic spots along Qinghai-Tibet railway
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Tibet Train Schedule and Price 2022
We offer the up to date schedule and ticket price of Tibet Trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining to Lhasa. Also include the more detailed info like how to buy it, Children’s Tibet Train ticket as well as luggage limitation & prohibited items.
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Rich***
2018-02-02
Hi, we would like to book from Xining to Lhasa about the April 13-14 /2018 and return April 18/19. must be for two in a soft sleeper. My agent in Lhasa will arrange the permits etc. The late train out is the best ? Thanks.
Yes, We can help you buy the train tickets. Train tickets are issued to sell on the internet only 30 days before departure, it's very hard to purchase the tickets. It's almost impossible for both you and us to get tickets on the internet. So we have to get the ticket from ticket scalper by paying them very high handing fee (we will charge this fee from clients. Usually USD 30~ 154 extra charges depends on season and different cities.) to guarantee the ticket for you.
Asked by Cind***
2018-01-07
My husband and I are planning a trip to Tibet in Sept 2018. We would like to take the train from Xining to Tibet in order to take in the beautiful scenery on route. Do we need to but the train ticket from Canada or can we get the tickets when we get to Xining?
Firstly please kindly note: travel to Tibet as foreign travelers, Tibet Entry Permit(Tibet visa) is the most basic document required to be applied before you come, we have been recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best reputed local travel agencies with over 10 years Tibet tour running experiences for both domestic and foreign travelers, so we could surely get all your necessary travel permits to Tibet after your tour booked with us, we need your passport and China visa copies to apply for them from Tibet Travel Bureau around 30 days(shortest 16 days) before tour starts and usually got them for you in 8 working days.
Yes, you could join our 7 Days Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour for 30th Sep(the first day of arriving in Lhasa), please kindly check the itinerary,our best price of it and my answers to your other questions as follows: