Tibet Train Fares & Schedules

Service is valid from March 1, 2012 until further notice. Subject to alteration wherever possible check times locally before traveling. All trains have air conditioning, pressurized cabins, and oxygen. The train costs varies depending on the season. The prices listed below are current as of 2012 however the actual price will vary depending on the season, travel agency, city, and if your a tourist or local. Ticket scalping is common during the high season (summer months and Chinese holidays) where enterprising entrepreneurs purchase tickets in advance and resell them for a premium.

Tip: If you are a tourist and you have a camera, take a picture of your ticket in case you lose or misplace it.

The new section of the railway, known as "Qinghai-Tibet", begins at the Xining West Railway Station and concludes at the Lhasa Railway Station. You can catch a train heading to Xining from most major cities in China.  If you cannot obtain a ticket directly to Lhasa from your current city, try purchasing one for Xining as chances are you will be allowed to continue to Lhasa for an additional fee once you arrive in Xining.


Train Fares:

Route Distance Hard Seat Hard sleeper Soft Sleeper
Lhasa Xining 1,972km 226Y
$35USD
523Y
$83USD
813Y
$130USD
Lhasa Lanzhou 2,188 km 242Y
$38USD
552Y
$85USD
854Y
$135USD
Lhasa Xi’an 2,864km 296Y
$42USD
693Y
$110USD
1,008Y
$160USD
Lhasa Chengdu 3,360km 331Y
$52USD
712Y
$113USD
1104Y
$175USD
Lhasa Chongqing 3,654km 355Y
$56USD
754Y
$119USD
1,168Y
$185USD
Lhasa Beijing 4,064km 389Y
$62USD
813Y
$129USD
1,262Y
$200USD
Lhasa Shanghai 4,373km 406Y
$64USD
845Y
$134USD
1,314Y
$208USD
Lhasa Guangzhou 4,980km 451Y
$71USD
923Y
$146USD
1,434Y
$227USD

 

Y = Chinese Yuan; $1 USD = 6.32 Y (as of 2012)

* Unreserved seats are available. This means you are not guaranteed a seat, but if one does become available, you may take it, otherwise you will have to stand in the aisles. Prices are usually 50RMB lower than the hard seat price.

** Prices above do not include the Tibet Travel Permit.

*** Beijing-Lhasa is 4,064 km, of which 1,110 km are over the newly-built Qinghai-Tibet railway.


Train to Tibet Schedule:

To Lhasa, Tibet  

Destination Train number Dep. Time Arr. Time Time
Beijng to Lhasa T27 21:30 18:38 45hr, 08min
Chengdu to Lhasa T22/T23 20:59 17:02 44hr, 3min
Chongqing to Lhasa T222/T223 19:55 17:02 45hr, 7min
Lanzhou to Lhasa K917 12:15 15:40 27hr, 25min
Xining to Lhasa K9801 14:56 15:40 24hr, 44min
Shanghai to Lhasa T164/T165 19:52 20:48 48hr, 56min
Guangzhou to Lhasa T264/T265 12:19 18:58 54hr, 39min

 

Departing from Lhasa, Tibet

Destination Train number Dep. Time Arr. Time Time
Lhasa to Beijing T28 09:20 07:34 46hr, 14min
Lhasa to Chengdu T21/T24 13:10 07:57 42hr, 47min
Lhasa to Chongqing T221/T224 13:10 08:36 43hr, 26min
Lhasa to Lanzhou K918 07:45 10:19 25hr, 34min
Lhasa to Xining K9802 07:45 07:40 23hr, 55min
Lhasa to Shanghai T163/T166 09:50 11:53 50hr,3min
Lhasa to Guangzhou T263/T266 12:25 18:58 54hr, 33min

Where to purchase Tibet Train Tickets?

Train tickets in China need to be purchased in advance, normally at least 5 days. However the system is not perfect and therefore you can still purchase tickets the same day assuming there are seats left. Tickets can be purchased either at your current train station or via a tour agent. You can also reserve tickets here.

Hard seat tickets are easier to obtain as opposed to soft sleeper. However please be advised that the hard seat option is not for everyone. The seats do not recline and you have to be more cognizant about your belongings. The hard seat obtion is great for a true cultural interactive experience.

China Railway Telphone Number:

Beijing West Railway Station: 86-10-95105105

Chengdu Railway Station: 86-28-83322088 83332499

Lanzhou Railway Station: 86-971-8192832

Chongqing Railway Station: 86-23-63862607

Xining Railway Station: 86-971-8192832

 


Train Classes - What the numbers and letters mean

Trains in China begin with a letter and number, eg T98. The letter represents the category of the train. Some trains are faster and more modern and this is reflected in the letter. The number is the trains unique identifer.

Train Class Type Details
G or C Bullet train The C train is the fastest train in China. and now it's running between Beijing and Tianjin.

Maximum speeds up to 350km/h

* limited luggage space
D 2nd Tier Bullet train or CRH also called "Dongche". Bullet train with speeds to 250km/h serving the major Chinese cities.
Z Non stop train A direct non-stop train with limited stops with speeds between 120- 160km/h.
T High speed express Train Speeds up to 140km/h. Almost every train is equipped with soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat. Popular train heading from East to West.
K Fast Train Speeds up to 120km/h, general train.
Y Tourist Train Train that takes tourist to special sight seeing sites.