Guangzhou Railway Station Guide: How to Take the Train to Tibet from Guangzhou

Guangzhou Railway Station is one of China’s key transportation hubs and the only station in Guangzhou that offers direct trains to Lhasa. With easy connections to other railway stations and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, it’s a convenient starting point for travelers from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and nearby areas who want to explore the wonders of Tibet.

To help you enjoy a smooth journey to Tibet from Guangzhou, this guide covers everything you need to know about Guangzhou Railway Station—including its location, train schedules, how to book and collect tickets, the boarding process, and other essential travel tips.

Guangzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule: Z264 Train from Guangzhou Railway Station

Currently, the Z264 train is the only direct train running from Guangzhou Railway Station to Lhasa, Tibet. It is the longest railway route to Tibet, covering over 4,980 kilometers and passing through 15 stations including Guangzhou and Lhasa. The whole journey takes more than two full days to complete.

Specifically, the Guangzhou-Lhasa train (Z264) departs from Guangzhou Railway Station at 09:27 and arrives in Lhasa at 14:54 on the third day. The return train from Lhasa to Guangzhou (Z266) departs at 12:35 and arrives in Guangzhou at 20:11 on the third day.

Train Number (Route)	Departure	Arrival	Duration	Frequency
Z264 (Guangzhou to Lhasa)	09:27	14:54 (the third day)	53hr, 27min	Every Day
Z266 (Lhasa to Guangzhou)	12:35	20:11 (the third day)	55hr, 36min	Every Day

Please note: The train schedule is for reference only and may change seasonally. For early reservations, we recommend contacting us for the most up-to-date information.

How to Book and Collect the Tibet Train Ticket at Guangzhou Railway Station?

The Tibet train ticket can be bought both online and offline. For online booking, you can use platforms like 12306.cn (the official railway website), Ctrip, and Trip.com. Alternatively, you can also buy your ticket directly at the ticket windows of Guangzhou Railway Station.

For foreign travelers, you must present a Tibet Travel Permit along with your passport in order to book and collect your train ticket. Additionally, you cannot apply for the permit by yourself—it must be arranged through a licensed travel agency. Therefore, the most recommended way is to join our Tibet train tour for a one-stop service.

If you choose to travel with our agency, we will not only take care of the entire permit application process on your behalf, but also secure the Tibet train ticket for you. Both the permit and the ticket will be delivered to you in person before your train departs, ensuring a hassle-free train journey for you.

Where is Guangzhou Railway Station? How to Get There?

Guangzhou Railway Station is located on Huanshi West Road in Yuexiu District, a central area in Guangzhou. It is one of the busiest and oldest railway stations in southern China and is well-connected by metro, bus, and taxi. Whether you’re arriving from Guangzhou Airport, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, or another part of the city, getting to the station is relatively straightforward.

1. Get to Guangzhou Railway Station from Guangzhou Airport

By Shuttle Bus
The distance between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou Railway Station is about 30 kilometers. Passengers can take the Airport Express Bus Line 1 to the Aviation Ticket Office near Guangzhou Railway Station. The shuttle bus runs every 20-30 minutes from the airport and it costs 30 CNY with one and a half hours’ ride. The first bus of this route departs from the airport at 00:00, and the final bus runs till 23:35.

By Subway
Passengers can take Metro Line 3 from the airport to Jiahewanggang Station, and then transfer to Metro Line 2. It takes about 45 minutes and costs 7 CNY, covering 12 stops in total. This is a convenient way to avoid traffic congestion and ensure you arrive at the railway station on time.

By Taxi
It will take about 50 minutes from Baiyun International Airport to Guangzhou Train Station by taxi. The cost of a taxi may be 50 to 60 CNY, or much higher during the peak hours.

2. Get to Guangzhou Railway Station from Downtown

Guangzhou Railway Station is located on Huanshi West Road in Yuexiu District, and serves as an interchange for Metro Line 2 and Line 5. Several bus routes run between the station and other parts of the city, including Bus 180, 201, 210, 228, and 552.

From Chimelong Paradise
Chimelong Paradise is located about 26 km southeast of Guangzhou Railway Station. Tourists can take Metro Line 3 at Hanxi Chimelong Station, transfer to Metro Line 5 at Zhujiang New Town Station, and then reach the railway station. This route takes about 55 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take Metro Line 7 from Hanxi Chimelong Station, and transfer to Metro Line 2 at Shibi Station. This second route also takes nearly one hour, but involves less walking.

From Canton Tower
The landmark Canton Tower is not far from the station, with a driving distance of about 12 kilometers. To reach the station from Canton Tower, you can take Metro Line 3 for one stop to Zhujiang New Town Station, then transfer to Metro Line 5 for seven more stops. The entire journey takes only about 30 minutes, and the fare is just 4 CNY.

3. Get to Guangzhou Railway Station from Shenzhen

There are more than 200 trains running between Shenzhen and Guangzhou every day, covering C, D, G, K, T series trains. Among them, those C trains (City Intercity Train) run directly between Shenzhen Railway Station to Guangzhou Railway Station, and there’s no need to transfer. It takes 1-2 hours on the way and the price is 72 CNY for a second-class seat.

For the rest types of trains, most of them depart from Shenzhen North Station or Shenzhen East Station and arrive at Guangzhou East/South/North Railway Station. The ticket price of these routes ranges from 23.5 CNY to 100.5 CNY for a second-class seat, and it takes 36 minutes-2hours to arrive at the station. If you take these trains, you’ll need to take a subway or taxi to Guangzhou Railway Station.

4. Get to Guangzhou Railway Station from Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a well-known metropolis that many international travelers use as their entry or exit point from China. For those planning a tour to Tibet, it is also convenient to get to Guangzhou Railway Station from Hong Kong. The most recommended option is to take the train departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.

There are nearly 50 daily trains running between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Guangzhou East/South Railway Station. The first train leaves at 07:19 am and the last train departs at 22:27 pm. It takes about 1-2 hours to get to Guangzhou East/South Railway Station from Hong Kong.

After that, you can easily transfer from Guangzhou East Railway Station or Guangzhou South Railway Station to Guangzhou Railway Station by taxi or subway. If you arrive at Guangzhou East Railway Station, the best route is to take Metro Line 1, then transfer to Metro Line 2 at Jiahewanggang station. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 4 CNY one way.

If you arrive at Guangzhou South Railway Station, simply take the Metro Line 2 for 15 stops, then you can get to Guangzhou Railway Station. This route takes about 40 minutes and costs 6 CNY.

How to Board the Tibet train at Guangzhou Railway Station?

Prepare Required Documents and Arrive Early

The boarding process for long-distance trains in China involves multiple steps, such as luggage checks, queueing for boarding, and ticket inspections. Therefore, it’s important to arrive at the station early and be well-prepared.

We recommend arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before your train departs to avoid unnecessary stress. Also, remember to keep the required documents on hand, including your passport, your Tibet Travel Permit, and your train ticket.

Pass through Security Check

As you arrive at the train station, you are required to go through a security check at the entrance before entering. All your luggage and belongings will be scanned by a security machine, and any dangerous or prohibited items must not be brought into the station. You will also be asked by the station staff to present your train ticket and other documents mentioned above for inspection.

Find the Waiting Room

After going through all the checks and entering the station hall, you will see a large LED board displaying information about each train, such as the train number, departure time, and waiting room number. You will need to locate the correct waiting room for your train.

Guangzhou Railway Station is a two-story building. The ground floor contains four waiting rooms, while the second floor has seven more waiting rooms. If you're unsure where to go, you can show your ticket to the station staff for assistance.

Enter the Platform and Get Onboard

Usually, the station staff will start checking the train ticket 20 minutes before the train’s departure time. After the ticket check, you will walk for several minutes to reach the platform, possibly going upstairs or downstairs along the way.

You need to check the carriage number and seat number indicated on your train ticket to find the correct door for boarding. A train attendant standing at the door will check your ticket again and assist you in boarding the train.

Find Your Seat or Berth

The last step is to find your seat or berth as indicated on your train ticket. In a hard-seat carriage, the seat number is printed on the wall between two windows. For sleeper carriages, the berth number is printed on the door of each compartment.

You can place your luggage directly under the lower berth, or in the luggage rack opposite the upper berth. Once you're settled, you can just relax and enjoy your train journey to Lhasa.

More Tips for a Smooth Tibet Train Journey from Guangzhou

Choose the Right Berth Class

Traveling from Guangzhou to Lhasa is a long journey of 53 hours, and choosing the right berth can make your trip as comfortable as possible. Among the three options, the soft sleeper is highly recommended as it offers more space and privacy. Hard sleeper is less private but more budget-friendly. Hard seats, while costing the least, are not recommended for such a long journey.

Bring Essential Items

Though the facilities on the Tibet train can meet passengers’ basic needs, it is still necessary for you to bring some essential items such as wet wipes, toilet paper, a power bank, an adapter, and other items to make your train journey more comfortable. To sleep better at night, consider packing an eye mask, earplugs, and a pair of slippers.

Prepare for High Altitude

The train begins to ascend dramatically after Xining, with the highest point being Tanggula Pass at over 5,000 meters. Though the train is equipped with two oxygen supply systems, we still advise bringing some medicine, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, and resting well to help your body adjust to high altitude.

Relaxing Ways to Pass the Time

To kill time during the train journey, you can download movies or TV shows in advance, listen to music or podcasts, or read a good book. Also, it is a good choice to chat with locals to learn more about Tibet, or simply relax and enjoy the stunning scenery through the train window.

Conclusion

Guangzhou Railway Station is more than just a departure point—it’s the start of your unforgettable Tibet journey. With its convenient location, direct Z264 train service, and clear boarding process, traveling from Guangzhou to Lhasa is easier than you think—especially with the support of a trusted Tibet travel agency like us.

If you have any questions about booking your train ticket, applying for a Tibet Travel Permit, or planning your Tibet itinerary, feel free to contact us anytime—we’re happy to assist!