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Lanzhou to Lhasa Train

  • Last Updated: 2024-07-13

Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu province and a tourist city with the second shortest train route to Lhasa, is an excellent gateway to Tibet. Thus there are large quantities of tourists choosing train travel to Tibet. Lanzhou to Lhasa train only takes around 24 hours and covers a distance of 2,188 kilometers(1,360 miles). Traveling to Tibet by train from Lanzhou, you will view the stunning landscape along Qinghai Tibet Railway such as Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Snow Mountain, Hoh Xil No Man's Land, Tanggula Mountain, etc. Also, you can have a good rest to adapt to the high altitude.

Map of Lanzhou to Lhasa train route
Map of Lanzhou to Lhasa train route

Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule

There are generally about 4-5 trains heading to Lhasa each day including the only one train that originates from Lanzhou to Lhasa every other day. The trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other cities have a stopover at Lanzhou. As it's a long journey to Tibet from Lanzhou by train, you are supposed to choose a comfortable cabin for a good rest. There are two classes of cabins available, a soft sleeper cabin with a supple bed and more privacy(4 beds in one compartment); and a hard sleeper cabin(6 beds in one compartment). The ticket for a soft sleeper cabin cost about USD$127 per person while the ticket for a hard sleeper cost about USD$80 per person. Here we list the schedules and prices of all the trains from Lanzhou to Lhasa.

Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule:

Train No. Dep.  - Arr. Duration Soft Sleeper Ticket Hard Sleeper Ticket
Z223/Z323 08:40 - 07:41+1 23hr 01min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z917 08:54 - 10:21+1 25hr 27min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z21 12:31 - 11:21+1 22hr 50min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z265 15:25 - 14:17+1 22hr 52min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z165 16:38 - 15:06+1 22hr 28min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Schedule:

Train No. Dep.  - Arr. Duration Soft Sleeper Ticket Hard Sleeper Ticket
Z918 09:25 - 09:27+1 24hr 2min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z166 11:50 - 12:06+1 24h 16min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z266 12:40 - 13:18+1 24h 387min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z22 15:50 - 16:13+1 24h 23min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80
Z224/Z324 19:00 - 19:29+1 24h 29min CNY823/USD127 CNY522/USD80

(One thing should keep in mind is that your Tibet Travel Permit is required when foreign tourists are checking in on the train from Lanzhou to Lhasa.)

Notice: The timetable and schedule are just used for reference. Actually, at present, Tibet travel is quite popular and the actual ticket requirements far exceed the supply. As a result, tourists have to pay more than the net price to buy tickets. Sometimes, even travel agencies have to buy tickets from scalpers. Therefore, we can 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 for you.

Facilities of Lanzhou Lhasa Train

Lanzhou Lhasa train is equipped with modern facilities. There is one dining car offering food and drinks. There are toilets and washing basins at the end of each coach. The spoiled water is 24 hours for free. In addition, as it is a journey to high altitude, high altitude sickness should be taken into consideration. The Lanzhou Lhasa Trains are equipped with two kinds of oxygen supply systems to help passengers reduce the effect of high altitude. So there is no need to worry too much about suffering from altitude sickness on board.

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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by li***

We are would like to check if there is any train ticket from Lanzhou to Ihasa on 8 May 25 for 4 pax

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Lily,

We can help you book the Lanzhou to Tibet train for you. 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. And the permit can only be applied by a local Tibet travel agency. We can obtain the Tibet travel permit for you. 

Asked by Andr***

Hi, wondering if this journey runs reliably in winter? We are visiting Lanzhou in January (attending a wedding on 12th January 2025) and investigating options for tours.

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Andr****,

We can arrange the Tibet tour for you and help you book the train tickets. Sometimes, there are no trains from Lanzhou to Lhasa, so I suggest you take a high-speed train from Lanzhou to Xining and then a train from Xining to Lhasa.

4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour is the recommended itinerary.

Asked by Ivan***

Tibet Train Tickets Online Booking

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Ivan****,

We can help you book the train tickets to Lhasa in April. Please kindly note, that sometimes the train from Lanzhou to Lhasa is closed, I suggest you consider taking a train from Xining to Lhasa.

According to the authority, all foreign tourists entering Tibet need the Tibet Travel Permit and we can help you obtain it.

Asked by Tim ***

Hello, we are two guys and have the plan to take the train to Lhasa. The easiest start for us would be from Lanzhou. Would you recommend to take a nonstop-train or is it better also to stop on the way to explore e.g. Tanggula, Golmud or other cities? We could arrive in Lanzhou either on the 23.02 late or on the 24. and want to departure (per aircraft) on the third of March from Lhasa. Do you offer those packages?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Tim****,

I'm afraid we can't arrange a Tibet tour in Feb. for you as Tibet New Year is at that time. The tour guides and drivers are all on holiday. I suggest you consider a tour in early March. What's your idea?

For the train to Lhasa, if you stop on the way, you have to buy a new ticket to continue. Most guests take a non-stop train to Lhasa.