Written by Catherine |
The Qinghai-Tibet high speed train (āRocket to the Rooftop of the Worldā) connects other cities in China with Tibet. The ChinaĀ Tibet TrainĀ or Lhasa Express rail route covers 1956km and reaches a maximum altitude of 5,072 meters above sea level with 960km at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. The line starts at Xining, the Qinghai ProvinceĀ capital and travels to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. There are connecting lines from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu and Lanzhou which meet up at Xining to make the final stretch to Lhasa. The stretch from Xining to Lhasa is called the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Why Take a Train to Tibet
The advantages of taking a train to Tibet rather than a flight include the fact that you get to see incredible scenery along the way. The train passes through mountain passes, across frozen earth areas and passed breathtaking lakes and plains. As the train climbs to the high altitude of Tibet PlateauĀ your body has a chance to acclimatize rather than stepping off a plain in Lhasa and being hit by the high altitude. In addition this is the cheapest way to reach Tibet.
Tips on Booking Tickets for Train to Tibet
Peak season is May to October and over the Chinese New Year period in January/February.Ā During this period tickets can be hard to come by so it is important to book early, even as early as 3-6 months in advance. The peak seasons are also when ticket prices soar. Before train tickets are sold to the public they are bought up by government-owned travel agencies and resold to smaller agencies at a large mark-up.
For this reason travel agents have no choice but to charge additional fees on top of the basic fare. However Chinaxiantour tries to keep the cost as low as possible making tickets even affordable for budget travelers.
On board the Lhasa Express
All of the Tibet trains have air conditioning, oxygen and pressurized cabins.
Soft Sleeper TicketsĀ – These sleeping compartments are the most comfortable in the train. Soft sleeper cabins are first class and have 4 beds and a door to close the cabin. Each berth has an oxygen outlet and reading light. You can book a whole cabin by paying for all four berths.
Hard Sleeper TicketĀ ā Despite the name these sleepers are also comfortable and often booked by foreign travelers. They are cheaper than soft sleepers. Hard sleeper cabins have 6 bunks and no door. This is good if you want to mix with locals for a unique experience but you will have to watch your belongings.
Hard SeatsĀ ā Here you will have to sit upright for the entire journey and it is the least comfortable and cheapest option on the Tibetan train.
Trains to Tibet
Make sure you consult our Beijing-Lhasa Train travel tips, Chongqing-Lhasa Train Travel Tips , Lanzhou-Lhasa Train Travel Tips, Guangzhou-Lhasa Train Travel Tips, Chengdu-Lhasa Train Travel Tips, and Shanghai-Lhasa Train Travel Tips if you are planning a train trip to TibetĀ from any of the aforementioned cities.
Origin |
Duration |
Distance |
Depart/Arrive |
Frequency |
Soft Sleeper |
Hard Sleeper |
Beijing |
40.30hrs |
4,064m |
20:00/12:30 |
2X Daily |
Ā„1186 |
Ā„763 |
Shanghai |
47.20hrs |
4,373m |
20:10/19:44 |
Daily |
Ā„1310.5 |
Ā„841.5 |
Chengdu |
43.07hrs |
3,360m |
14:48/09:55 |
Every 2ndĀ Day |
Ā„1062 |
Ā„709 |
Xining |
21.41hrs |
1,972m |
14:05/12:00 |
Daily |
Ā„808 |
Ā„521 |
Chongqing |
42.13hrs |
3,654m |
15:42/09:55 |
Every 2ndĀ Day |
Ā„1120 |
Ā„720 |
Guangzhou |
53.45hrs |
4,980m |
11:45/17:30 |
Daily |
Ā„1526 |
Ā„919 |
Lanzhou |
26.27hrs |
2,188m |
11:16/12:00 |
Daily |
Ā„823 |
Ā„522 |
Ā Please note: The prices given aboveĀ do not include service charges, fees and price changes due to season.
Related reading:
How to Travel from Shanghai to Tibet
How to Take a Flight from Shanghai to Tibet
UsefulĀ Tibet Train Tips:
- From Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities, it is recommended to fly to Xining first, and then take the Z265 train to Lhasa.
- You will not be allowed to board a train to Tibet without showing a copy of your TTP. It does not have to be the original.
- It is unlikely that you will be able to book a Tibetan train ticket independently. You need to book a Tibet tourwith a tour agency like Chinaxiantour and the agency will then book your train ticket for you.
- In high season tickets sell out fast so it is important to book well in advance.
- Trains in China are identified by a letter and a unique number. For trains to Lhasa there are Z trains which are direct non-stop (limited stops) and travel at a speed of 120-160km/h. There are also T trains which are high speed express trains traveling at about 140kmh and with soft sleepers, hard sleepers and hard seats.
- There are shared toilets and wash rooms on board but no toilet paper is supplied so bring your own!
