Tibet Train Routes, Schedules, Ticket Booking and Train Tours 2024/2025

Why Taking a Train to Tibet So Popular?

Every day, the diligent Tibet trains unload about 2000 tourists to the holy city Lhasa from different cities around China. What makes so many travelers flock into Tibet by train?

The first also the biggest reason is to experience the world engineering wonder which has created 9 extraordinary world records (the highest railway – 5072m, highest railway station - 5072m, the longest plateau railway -1976kkm, longest rail bridge – 11.7km, longest plateau tunnel in permafrost – 1686m …) and check out how the engineers overcame the biggest three technical challenges during the construction Qinghai Tibet Railway - widespread frozen earth, high altitude sickness and eco-environment protection. The second reason is to enjoy the breathtaking plateau landscape along the railway – huge salt lakes Qinghai and Qarhan, vast and mysterious Hoh Xil Depopulated Zone, the Elf of Qinghai Tibet Plateau – Tibetan Antelope, Dominating Tanggula Mountains, Blue Diamond - Tsonag Lake, plains dotted with yaks and herder’s tents… The third reason is the much lower cost, compared with air transfer, especially during peak seasons.

Current Situation - Difficulty in Booking Train Tickets

So far, there are 7 gateway cities which run daily or weekly trains to Lhasa, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. Travelers can also board the train at the midway stations, such as Nanjing, Xian, Taiyuan, etc. Even though there are 7 train routes to Tibet, the train tickets still sell out very quickly, especially during summer and holidays. The Soft Sleeper is very hard to book because each train has only 76 sleepers of its kind. But it is strongly recommended to take a Soft Sleeper because you may have to stay two nights on the train if you depart from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc. So you’d better book the train ticket as early as possible. According to the policy at present, one can book the ticket up to 30 days in advance.

Important Notices>

Tibet runs the first Fuxing bullet train on Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway.

With the opening of Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, Tibet gets the first Fuxing bullet train today (June 25). The green Fuxing bullet train runs at a speed of 160km/h, making the journey between Lhasa and Nyingchi is just 3.5 hours short. Outside the window, the plateau scenery is amazing and in the Fuxing train, special engines and oxygen supply system offer a comfortable ride. By far, the Fuxing bullet trains service has covered all China’s provincial-level regions. Check detailed Lhasa to Nyingchi Train Schedule >>

Tibet Reopens to Expats in China!!!

Thanks to the successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tibet and other regions of China, Tibet has opened to expats living in China since May. Now it’s safe and convenient to travel to Tibet! With our firsthand travel information and professional guide, you can enjoy a holy trip to Tibet worry free, visit the holy city of Lhasa, beautiful Namtso Lake, majestic Mount Everest, Shigatse and other destinations with less tourists. Except the required Tibet permits and pre-arranged itinerary, tour guide and local vehicle, special documents are needed as well during the Coronavirus period, including a proof of your at least 28-day stay in China, a negative Nucleic acid test and a Green Heath Code. The holy land Tibet is waiting for you! Contact us to start your Tibet Tour NOW!! Early birds get better prices!!

Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Train Travel

According to China National Railway Administration’s regulation, foreigner travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit to take a train to/off Tibet. The permit is firstly required for booking train tickets at railway station or branch offices, then needed for checking in at railway station. The photocopy of the Permit is also available if you board the train from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xining and Guangzhou. Xian, Lanzhou and Chongqing require the original permit. The Permit can't be applied by foreign travelers individually, and needs about 15~20 days to be obtained from Tibet Tourism Bureau. more>>

Major Tibet Train Routes - Gateway Cities to Take Trains to Tibet

Currently there are 7 major train routes connecting Lhasa with gateway cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. Travelers can also board the train at the midway stations, such as Nanjing, Xian, Taiyuan, etc. Among the 7 gateway cities, Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai are most popular because they are not only important international transfer hubs but also full of famous attractions. Xining is also recommended strongly because it is the nearest city to Lhasa by train, and you can stay there for one or two days to acclimatize the high altitude before arrival at Lhasa.

  • Beijing
  • Chengdu
  • Shanghai
  • Guangzhou
  • Xining
  • Chongqing
  • Lanzhou
  • Xian
Beijing to Lhasa Train

Train to Lhasa from Beijing, the capital of China

Beijing Lhasa Train

Beijing is the most popular International arrival city in China. Once arriving at Beijing, you can directly take a train to Lhasa from Beijing. As the starting city, it is easier to obtain a train ticket. The railway distance between Beijing and Lhasa is as far as 3757km, stretching from the lower northern China to the high plateau of Tibet and crossing 8 provinces and more than 30 cities, which make the Beijing Lhasa Train as a traversing journey to experience China’ diverse landscape and culture. Learn more details about Beijing Lhasa Train.

Distance: 2,334 miles (3,757 km)
Duration: about 40 hours
Beijing to Lhasa: Z21
Lhasa to Beijing: Z22
Frequency Daily
Train Type: Z-series (specially designed for plateau)

Tour 8 Days Lhasa Tour from Beijing by Train
Forbidden City, Great Wall, Potala Palace, Sera Monastery from Request

Train to Tibet Routes Summary

Route Length Dep. ~ Arr. Duration Schedule Soft Sleeper Attractions on Route
Beijing - Lhasa (Z21) 3757km 20:00~12:45 40h45' Daily About ¥1,144 Qinghai Lake, Tsonag Lake, Changtang Grassland...
Chengdu - Lhasa (Z322/323) 3360km 21:37~09:55 36h18' Every other day About ¥1,062 Qinghai Lake, Qarhan Salt Lake, Tibetan Antelope, Tsonga Lake...
Shanghai - Lhasa (Z164/165) 4373km 20:08~19:35 47h27' Daily About ¥1,262 Kunlun Mountain, Tuotuohe River, Hohxil, Tanggula Mountain, Tsonag Lake...
Guangzhou - Lhasa (Z264/265) 4980km 11:52~16:45 52h53' Daily About ¥1,468 Tuotuo River, Tangula Mountains, Changtang Grassland...
Chongqing - Lhasa (Z223) 3050km 22:12~09:55 35h43' Every other day About ¥1,079 Qinghai Lake, Qarhan Salt Lake, Tibetan Antelope, Tsonga Lake...
Lanzhou - Lhasa (Z917) 2188km 11:20~11:20 24h Every other day About ¥823 Qinghai Lake, Tsonag Lake, Changtang Grassland...
Xining - Lhasa (Z6801) 1972km 14:01~11:20 21h19' Every other day About ¥781 Qinghai Lake, Tsonag Lake, Yangpachen Geotherm...

Tibet Train Facilities - Life on Tibet Trains

A Tibet Train journey is usually long up to more than 40 hours, going through the highest-altitude railway in the world on the harsh and remote Qinghai Tibet Plateau area, which makes well-equipped facilities very necessary. So what kinds of facilities and amenities are equipped on a Tibet Train?

Useful Tibet Train Travel Tips

When we are planning a ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP like Qinghai Tibet Railway Journey, we have to be fully prepared - learning the background knowledge, finding out the best highlights, choosing the most suitable train route, knowing how to booking ticket, etc. Following are some most important guide and tips that you should learn about Tibet train travel. If you have any question about Tibet train, feel free to contact us for help.

Tibet Train 2024/2025 Tibet Train Ticket and Seats
Tibet Train 2024/2025 Know Before Your Train Travel
Tibet Train 2024/2025 Latest Tibet Train News

Recommended Tibet Train Tour Packages

Check out our most popular train tour packages departing from most popular gateway cities to Tibet - Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Xining, Shanghai, etc. All packages are customizable according to your requirements. If you have more time, you can extend your trip from Lhasa to other popular destinations, such as Shigatse, Mount Everest, Nyingchi, Ngari, etc. Check more Tibet Train Tours>

Prefer to tailor a trip that totally suits your requirements and interests? Our 20+ professional, helpful and friendly travel experts are ready to help! Tell us your needs, and one of our experts will get to you with trip details within 0.5~23.5 hrs. You can also call us at 86-28-85227275 / 86-28-85223672.

Customize your tripemail

Our specialists are always ready to help!

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts soon!

  • Your Question:
  • Your Name:
  • Your Email:
  • Submit

Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Wi-Fi
There IS insidie The train a wi-fi station?
With a wi-fi device there is a connection during the trip at least for 70% of the trip?
Thank’s four The information
2018-04-11 16:41
Hi Andrea, thanks for your inquiry.
All the Tibet Trains are specially designed trains that mainly offers facilities and service on high plateau areas for passengers. Wi-Fi is not common in those high altitude regions. So there is no Wi-Fi station available on the trains, whether you are in a soft/hard sleeper carriage.
If you want to use a Wi-Fi device, you need to make sure you get a device (computer/cellphone) that already connected to the internet. Pay attention to that the connection probably do not work when running at high altitudes.
Hope you enjoy your Tibet train travel! And wish you a good day!
Caroline 2019-01-23 01:24