Lanzhou Railway Station Guide: How to Take Tibet Train from Lanzhou

Located in northwestern China, Lanzhou Railway Station serves as a convenient gateway to Tibet, as it is closer to Lhasa than many other departure cities. Additionally, this station enjoys a central location in Lanzhou. Whether you arrive at the airport or another train station, it's easy to reach Lanzhou Railway Station and begin your journey to Tibet.

In this guide, we’ll cover train schedules, ticket booking, station location, boarding procedures, and essential travel tips to simplify every step of your journey from Lanzhou Railway Station to Lhasa. By following these steps, you’ll be able to start your Tibet adventure in a stress-free and confident way.

Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule: Four Trains from Lanzhou Railway Station

There are four trains running from Lanzhou to Lhasa every day. Although these trains originate from different cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shanghai, they all make a stop at Lanzhou Railway Station, allowing passengers to board from there. The whole journey covers a distance of approximately 2,188 kilometers and takes about 24 hours to get to Lhasa.

Please note: The schedule of the train between Lanzhou and Lhasa above 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 Lanzhou Railway Station?

Your Tibet train ticket can be bought through both online and offline channels. For online booking platforms, you can use websites like 12306.cn and Trip.com to book your tickets. Alternatively, you can also buy tickets in person at the ticket office of Lanzhou Railway Station.

Please note that whether you purchase a paper ticket at the station, collect an online booking, or go through the ticket check before boarding, you are required to present your Tibet Travel Permit. However, individual travelers are not allowed to apply for this permit on their own. Instead, you need to find a registered Tibet travel agency to apply for it on your behalf.

Therefore, the most convenient way to get your Tibet train ticket is to join our Tibet train tour! At Chinatibettrain, we can not only help you get your Tibet train ticket, but also apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf. Both the ticket and permit will be sent to your hotel or any address in China in time, so you can head straight to the station and board your train to Tibet.

Tourists can pick up their Tibet train tickets at the ticket office at Lanzhou Railway Station.

Where is Lanzhou Railway Station? How to Get There?

Lanzhou Railway Station is centrally located in Chengguan District, the main urban area of Lanzhou. It is easily accessible from the airport, other train stations, and nearby tourist attractions.

Get to Lanzhou Railway Station from Zhongchuan Airport

If you are arriving in Lanzhou by air, the most common entry point is Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. The most straightforward way to get to Lanzhou Railway Station from this airport is to take the Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive at the station and costs 30 CNY per person.

Taking the intercity train is another option that costs less than the shuttle bus. There are 9 scheduled C trains running between Zhongchuan Airport East Station and Lanzhou Railway Station every day from 07:02 to 21:09. The train journey takes about 1 hour and only costs 20 CNY for a second-class seat.

Travelers can take the shuttle bus line1 to Lanzhou Railway Station from Zhongchuan Airport.

Get to Lanzhou Railway Station from Lanzhou West Railway Station

Located about 10 km away from Lanzhou Railway Station, the newly built Lanzhou West Railway Station serves mostly high-speed trains. To transfer from Lanzhou West Railway Station to Lanzhou Railway Station, you can take the subway, a bus or a taxi. Among them, the subway is highly recommended because it’s simple and affordable.

You can take Metro Line 1 from Lanzhou West Railway Station and transfer to Metro Line 2 at Dongfanghong Square Station. The whole process takes about 30 minutes and costs 4 CNY. If you prefer taking a taxi, it takes about the same time as the subway but costs more than 20 CNY. For the cheapest option, you can take Bus K102, which only costs 2 CNY and takes nearly one hour to reach Lanzhou Railway Station.

Travelers can easily get to Lanzhou Railway Station from Lanzhou West Railway Station by subway.

Get to Dunhuang from Lanzhou Railway Station

As Silk Road tourism continues to boom, there are three scheduled Lanzhou–Dunhuang trains running between Lanzhou Railway Station and Dunhuang Railway Station. Among them, the Y667 Lanzhou–Dunhuang train is a special tourist service offering luxury soft-sleeper berths. It also highlights Dunhuang culture and showcases the unique scenery along the Hexi Corridor, with each carriage themed around a different attraction from cities across Gansu Province.

The other two K trains (K9667 and K367) are regular express trains, offering hard seats, hard-sleepers, and soft-sleepers. All three trains depart in the afternoon, with the earliest leaving at 16:50, and arrive in Dunhuang early the next morning. The overnight journey takes about 12-14 hours.

How to Board the Tibet Train at Lanzhou Railway Station?

Prepare Required Documents and Arrive Early

As you need time to pass the security check and find your way around the station, we recommend arriving at the station at least 1-2 hours before departure. Make sure you have all necessary documents with you, including your passport, train ticket, and Tibet Travel Permit. Without them, you cannot board the train to Lhasa.

Pass through Security Check

When you arrive at Lanzhou Railway Station, you'll need to go through a security check before entering the station building. For everyone’s safety, the security check is very strict, and items such as explosives and other dangerous goods are strictly prohibited. Additionally, the required documents mentioned above will also be checked by the staff.

Find the Waiting Room

After passing through the security check, you can take the escalator to the second floor of the main building, and find your train's waiting room by checking the information displayed on the LED screen. There are international waiting rooms, soft-seat waiting rooms, VIP rooms, and mother-and-baby rooms available on this floor. Magazines in both Chinese and foreign languages and hot water are provided in the waiting rooms for free.

Follow the station signs to locate the waiting room for your train to Lhasa.

Enter the Platform and Get Onboard

After ticket checking, which usually begins 20 minutes before the train’s departure time, you will need to find your platform and board the train. LED boards and signs are distributed throughout the waiting room, ticket-checking area, and platform to help passengers find the correct direction for boarding. It usually takes a few minutes to walk to the platform. Find the carriage that matches your train ticket, and then you can board the train.

Find Your Seat or Berth

As you board the train and enter the carriage, you need to find your sleeper berth. On Tibet trains, sleeper carriages are divided into separate compartments with 4 or 6 berths. The berth number is printed on the door of each compartment. In hard seat carriages, the seat number is printed on the wall between two windows

You can place your luggage on the luggage rack or under the lower berth. After completing all these steps, you can just relax and enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime Tibet train journey.

More Tips for a Smooth Tibet Train Journey from Lanzhou

Prepare for High-Altitude Sickness

Though the Tibet train is equipped with oxygen supply systems, being well prepared will help you better cope with the high altitude. Before your departure, consult your doctor and bring some medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. While on the train, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, coffee, and heavy meals, and get enough rest.

Dress in Layers

When the train passes through high-altitude regions, temperatures can vary significantly between day and night. Wearing layered clothing makes it easy to add or remove layers as needed.

Pack Smart for the Journey

As the Lanzhou–Lhasa train is an overnight journey, bringing an eye mask and earplugs can help you sleep as well as possible. For the toilets and wash areas, bring your own toilet paper, some wet wipes, a towel, and soap. A power bank and an adapter are also essential in case your phone runs out of battery.

Conclusion

In general, Lanzhou Railway Station is an ideal departure point for your Tibet journey. Taking the train from Lanzhou, you can enjoy breathtaking scenery along the way while spending less time compared to other departure cities.

With the right preparation as described in this guide, your Tibet train journey from Lanzhou can be smooth, comfortable, and truly unforgettable. If you have any other questions about Lanzhou Railway Station or need any assistance with your Tibet tour, do not hesitate to contact us—we’re happy to help!