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Xian to Lhasa Train

  • by Eric
  • Last Updated: 2023-12-03

Xi'an to Lhasa is one of the most popular train routes through the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Xi'an, the famous ancient capital of China, has a splendid history, culture and places of interest. Departing from Xian to Lhasa, you can not only shorten the train time but also savor the flavor of the ancient capital before heading to Tibet to explore the mysterious plateau. The whole journey is 2,864 km long and takes about 31 hours.

Xián to Lhasa Train Schedule

Currently, there are only three trains to Tibet via Xián. Two pass-by trains depart from Guangzhou(Z265) and Shanghai(Z165) daily and one train originates from Xián, which runs every other day. Unlike Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. Trains passing through Xián only stop for a short time, about 7 to 9 minutes, so please arrange your time properly to avoid missing the train. Being a pass-by railway station, there are limited tickets issued. Therefore, it is very difficult to buy train tickets from Xi'an to Lhasa, especially during the peak tourist season(May to October). If you need Xián to Lhasa train ticket, please book with us at least 15 days in advance.

Xián to Tibet train route.

Xián ⇋ Lhasa Train Ticket Info

Train No. From -  To Dep. - Arr. Duration Frequency Soft sleeper Ticket Hard Sleeper Ticket
Z265 Xi'an - Lhasa 07:53 - 14:17+1 30:24 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z165 Xi'an - Lhasa 09:27 - 15:06+1 29:39 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z917 Xi'an - Lhasa 23:35 - 10:21+2 34:46 Every Other Day CNY1005.5/USD155 CNY647.5/USD100
Z918 Lhasa - Xián 09:25 - 19:29+1 34:04 Every Other Day CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z166 Lhasa - Xián 11:50 - 20:44+1 32:54 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z266 Lhasa - Xián 12:40 - 21:38+1 32:58 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94

Please kindly note: Please take your original Tibet Travel Permit to board the train from Xián to Lhasa. All the train ticket prices listed on our website are the NET price. Now traveling to Tibet by train is so popular that the demand for train tickets far exceeds the supply. Although the tickets are started to sell online 15 days before departure, you are hard to get one as they will be sold out in a short time, especially from April to October, the peak season of Tibet tourism. No matter whether inbound or outbound tourists have to pay more than the net price to buy the tickets. Sometimes, even travel agencies have to buy tickets from scalpers. So, we could help you book the train tickets in and out of Lhasa by adding a little service fee (subject to different seasons and cities) to the net price to guarantee the tickets. This service is to provide the biggest convenience for our clients.

How to Get to Xián Railway Station

Now, there are several railway stations in Xi`an. Only Xián Railway Station (East Section of Beihuan Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an) is the only place you can take the Tibet train. The North train station is the high-speed train station. If you go to the wrong station, you may miss your train as the transportation may take 2hr between the 2 stations.

Get to Xián Railway Station from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport

1. Take the airport bus, the whole distance is 37 kilometers, about 60 minutes. The fare is USD 4. (Recommended)

Route: Terminal 2/Terminal 3 → Xi`an Railway Station(Longhai Hotel)

Running Time:6:30 am—01:00 am, 30-minute frequency

Where to buy a ticket?

Terminal 2—please purchase tickets at the Passenger Service Center on the 1st floor (arrival floor)
Terminal 3—please purchase tickets on the first floor of the General Transportation Hub(GTC)

Where to take the bus?

Terminal 2—please take the bus outside the 1st floor (arrival floor)
Terminal 3—please take the bus on the first floor of the General Transportation Hub(GTC)

2. Take a subway. The whole distance is about 46.1 kilometers, which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Walk from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Airport West Station; take the Airport Intercity Line, pass 8 stops, and arrive at Beike Station (North Square) Station; then change to Metro Line 4, pass 13 stops, and arrive at Wulukou Station. Walk 1.2 kilometers to reach the railway station.

Get to Xián Railway Station from The North Railway Station

1. Take a bus. Take the 266, which takes 1 hour.

Where to take it?

Walk 490 meters from Xi'an North Railway Station to the bus station of Xi'an North Railway Station and take bus NO. 266. Note that the last bus of the No. 266 bus is at 00:00. After getting off the bus, walk 390 meters to Xián Railway Station.

2. Take a taxi. From Xi'an North Railway Station to Xi'an Railway Station, the distance is about 13 kilometers, which costs USD7.

3. Take a subway. The distance is about 16 km, which takes 51 minutes.

Route A: Walk from Xi’an North Railway Station to Beikezhan Station (North Square), after 13 stops, get off at Wulukou Station, and then walk 1.4 kilometers to Xi’an Railway Station

Route B: Walk from Xi’an North Railway Station to Beikezhan Station (North Square), after 8 stops, get off at Anyuanmen Station. Then change to bus No. 39 or No. 266, after 3 stops, you will arrive at Xi'an Railway Station.

Life Onboard

Cabins on Tibet trains

There are two classes of cabins which you can choose from. The soft-sleeper cabin is the first-class cabin and the most comfortable one, where you will share the compartment with 3 other passengers. The second class cabin is the hard-sleeper cabin, with 6 berths in a compartment. A soft sleeper is recommended.

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 greatly reduce the effect of high altitude on the train. So please don't worry about altitude sickness on Xi'an to Lhasa train.

Life on the train

There's one dining car on each train where you can get food and drinks. You can also find toilets and washing basins at the end of each cabin. Boiled water is available 24 hours every day.

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Ask a Quick Question Below?
or Email Us

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Tom ***

Inquiry about Xián to Lhasa train departing on 6 Nov

beatrice
Answered by Beatrice

Dear Tom,

Thank you for sending us an inquiry!

Xián to Lhasa train is difficult to purchase, especially the morning trains. There's a night train, departing at 11:30pm every other day. May I know when you are planning to get to Lhasa? Have you booked a Tibet tour?

Due to Tibet's unique background, apart from a Passport and a Chinese Visa, all foreign tourists allowed to enter Tibet must have Tibet Travel Permits by booking a Tibet tour with a legit Tibet travel agency. We can obtain the Tibet travel permit for you.

Asked by Jaru***

Dear Sir,

I would like to buy a train ticket from Xian to Lhasa on 14 Sep 2019. May I ask you some question below.

Do I have to use Tibet permit in buying train ticket ?
How much is commission fee for a ticket ?

Best regards,

Jaruwan Jubanjong

nance
Answered by Nance

Yes, we can help you buy this train ticket from Xian to Lhasa. 

Asked by Anch***

We plan trip (year 2019)to Tibet from Xi’an with family. Age 51,51 18,17.
Question is the allergy person can be take this trip? My tentatively is stay at Xi’an 1-2 night and go to Lhasa. Tour 2 day and fly back. Please advise if there have any concern.
Best Regards
Anchana

Caroline
Answered by Caroline

In your inquiry, you mentioned that four of you would like to visit Tibet in 2019. The allergy person? May I know allergic to what? Normally, it will be no problem as long as you don’t have any cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or pulmonary diseases. Of course, please look for some professional advice from your doctor in case of any unexpected situation.

Asked by jose***

do you have wi-fi? we are four adults wish to travel in september 2019

nance
Answered by Nance

Yes, there is WIFI in hotels and public areas in Lhasa, but if you reach more than 4000 meters areas, such as Tingri County, Everest Base camp, there is no Wifi. 

In your two inquiries, you said you’d like to take a train from Beijing or Xian to Lhasa. As it is more convenient to travel from Xi'an to Lhasa by train than take a train from Beijing, I suggest you fly to Xian from your home country first, then take a train from Xian to Lhasa. What do you think? : )