Xian to Lhasa Train

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 Xi'an 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.

Xi'an to Lhasa Train Schedule

Currently, there are only three trains to Tibet via Xi'an. Two pass-by trains depart from Guangzhou (Z265) and Shanghai (Z165) daily and one train originates from Xi'an, which runs every other day. Unlike Xining, the starting point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. Trains passing through Xi'an 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 a Xi'an to Lhasa train ticket, please book with us at least 15 days in advance.

Xi'an ⇋ Lhasa Train Ticket Info

Train No. From - To Dep. - Arr. Duration Frequency Soft sleeper Ticket Hard Sleeper Ticket
Z265
Guangzhou to Lhasa		 Xi'an - Lhasa 07:53 - 14:54+1 31:01 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z165
Shanghai to Lhasa		 Xi'an - Lhasa 09:27 - 15:30+1 30:03 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z917
Xi'an to Lhasa		 Xi'an - Lhasa 23:35 - 10:21+2 34:46 Every Other Day CNY1005.5/USD155 CNY647.5/USD100
Z166
Lhasa to Shanghai		 Lhasa - Xi'an 11:50 - 20:38+1 32:48 Daily CNY969.5/USD149 CNY611.5/USD94
Z266
Lhasa to Guangzhou		 Lhasa - Xi'an 12:35 - 21:38+1 33:03 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 start selling online 15 days before departure, it's hard to get soft sleepers as they will be sold out in a short time, especially from April to October, the peak season of Tibet tourism. Even travel agencies have to buy tickets from scalpers by adding a little service fee (subject to different seasons and cities) for the train tickets in and out of Lhasa to guarantee the tickets. This service is to provide the biggest convenience for our clients.

How to Get to Xi'an Railway Station

Now, there are several railway stations in Xi`an. Only Xi'an Railway Station 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 journey may take 2 hours between the two stations.

Location: No.44 Huancheng North Road, Xincheng District of Xi'an. (西安市新城区环城北路44号)

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

1. Take a subway. The whole process takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. The fare is USD 1.2.

Walk 129m (2 min) from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Airport West Station (T1/T2/T3); take the Airport Intercity Line 14, pass 8 stops (33 min), and arrive at Xian North Railway Station; then change to Metro Line 4, pass 13 stops(30 min), and arrive at Xian Railway Station.

2. Take the airport bus, the whole distance is 37 kilometers, about 1 hour and 33 minutes. The fare is USD 3.5.

Route: Bus Station → Xi`an Railway Station (South Square)

Running Time: 9:00 am - 20:10 pm

Frequency: 30 ~ 50 minutes

Get to Xián Railway Station from The North Railway Station

1. Take a subway. The distance is about 16 km, which takes 32 minutes.

Route: Take Metro Line 4 from Xi'an North Railway Station, after 13 stops, get off at  Xi'an 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 bus. Take the 266, which takes around 2 hours.

Walk 650 meters from Xi'an North Railway Station to the bus station of Xi'an North Railway Station and take bus NO. 266 and pass 21 stops. Note that the last bus of the No. 266 bus is at 00:00. After getting off the West Railway Station, walk 240 meters to Xián Railway Station.

Life Onboard

Life onboard the Xi'an to Lhasa train is designed to ensure passenger comfort throughout the journey.

Cabins on Tibet trains

There are two cabin classes from which you can choose. The soft-sleeper cabin is the first-class cabin and the most comfortable one, where you will share the compartment with three other passengers. The second class cabin is the hard-sleeper cabin, with six 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.

Conclusion

The Xi'an to Lhasa train journey offers a blend of cultural richness and scenic beauty. From Xi'an's historic charm to the stunning Qinghai-Tibet Railway views, it's a memorable experience. With limited ticket availability during peak seasons, early booking is essential. Whether you choose a soft or hard sleeper, proper preparation, including carrying your Tibet Travel Permit and managing altitude sickness, ensures a smooth and rewarding trip.

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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Chan Park

Hi, Happy New Year!! I am from republic of Korea(south). My wife and I are making a travel plan to Tibet in this Jan 25th - Feb 1st (it is our flight schedule.) I want to know do you have available travel options for our schedule. We want to go to the Tibet by train from the Xian city, and leave from there by using airplane. If do you have any recommandation, please let me know about that. What we want to do at the Tibet is enjoying the culture and the great nature of there, including traveling the famous cities.

Dear Chan****,

We can arrange the Xi'an Tibet Train tour departing on 25th Jan for you. There is an 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp group departure date on 25th Jan which is suitable for your request. We can help you book the Xian-Lhasa soft sleeper train and obtain the Tibet Travel Permit for you. After the journey, you can take a flight to Seoul via Xian or Chengdu, Beijing, etc.

Adrian Ravel

Ideally Z165 leaving on Saturday September 7th in the morning.

Dear Adri****, 

Foreign tourists taking a train to Lhasa require a Tibet permit. We can help you apply for a Tibet Permit and book the train tickets to Lhasa if you book the tour with us.

Tom Bataillie

Inquiry about Xián to Lhasa train departing on 6 Nov

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.

Jaruwan Jubanjong

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

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

Anchana Wannalobon

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

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.

josephine rangson

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

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? : )