Beijing to Xi’an High-Speed Train Guide: Schedules, Tickets & Travel Tips

For most travelers, the most convenient way to travel from Beijing to Xi’an is by high-speed train (G-series train). The journey usually takes around 4 to 6 hours, with the fastest train taking just 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Taking a high-speed train is also more convenient, because the train stations are closer to the city center, saving you time on airport transfers. In addition, more than 20 high-speed trains run daily from Beijing to Xi’an, offering a range of departure times to suit different schedules and itineraries.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your high-speed train journey from Beijing to Xi’an, including train schedules, ticket prices, seating classes, booking tips, recommended stations, and transport tips after arrival in Xi’an. Information about normal-speed trains and overnight D-trains is also included.

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• How to Choose a Beijing-to-Xi’an High-Speed Train
• Seating Classes & Ticket Prices
• Which Beijing Railway Station Should You Use?
• How to Buy Your Ticket
• Is It Worth Taking a Normal-Speed Train or an Overnight Sleeper Train?
• Stopovers Along the Beijing–Xi’an High-Speed Railway
• Getting Around After Arriving Xi’an North Railway Station
• FAQs about Train Journey from Beijing to Xi’an

How to Choose a Beijing-to-Xi’an High-Speed Train

When deciding which train to take, don’t focus solely on the departure time and travel time. A train that is 20–30 minutes faster may not be the best choice if it requires you to travel a long way to the departure station or deal with the morning rush hour.

Which Departure Time Suits You?

Departure Time	Suitable If You	What to See & Do After Arrival
07:00–09:00	Want to make the most of your arrival day.	Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
09:00–12:00	Prefer a later morning departure and a brief tour of Xi’an after arrival.	Old city of Xi’an (arrival in the afternoon or early evening)
12:00–15:00	Expect a morning tour of Beijing on your departure day.	Hotel check-in and dinner
After 15:00	Plan to spend most of your departure day touring Beijing.	Hotel check-in (late arrival)

High-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on September 8, 2026)

Departure Station	Train No.	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Duration
Beijing West Railway Station	G321	07:00	11:20	4h20m
Beijing West Railway Station	G3931	07:39	13:25	5h46m
Beijing North Railway Station	G2455	08:08	14:51	6h43m
Beijing Fengtai Railway Station	G1307	09:29	15:18	5h49m
Beijing West Railway Station	G1405	12:40	18:34	5h54m
Beijing West Railway Station	G353	12:55	17:08	4h13m
Beijing West Railway Station	G685	13:15	19:04	5h49m
Beijing West Railway Station	G361	15:05	19:23	4h18m
Beijing West Railway Station	G661	16:45	22:14	5h29m
Beijing West Railway Station	G369	19:00	23:11	4h11m

There are more than 20 daily high-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an, with departures between 06:38 and 19:00. The trains above are just a few examples. Beijing-to-Xi’an train schedules are subject to seasonal changes and operational adjustments. Please check the latest schedules on the official 12306 China Railway website (www.12306.cn) or mobile app (Railway 12306) before your trip.

Seating Classes & Ticket Prices

High-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an offer three seating classes:

Seating Class	Price Range (CNY)	Approx. (USD)
Second class	470–620	70–90
First class	750–990	110–150
Business class	1,540–1,950	230–290

Note: USD estimates are based on an exchange rate of approximately 1 USD ≈ 6.71 CNY.

Ticket prices vary with the train and travel time, and may also be affected by China Railway’s flexible pricing system. To confirm current fares, use the 12306 website or mobile app.

How to Choose a Seating Class

Second class (most popular choice):

Second class features a 3–2 seating configuration, and the seats are perfectly fine for the average adult. Overall, it offers an ideal balance of comfort and price for a 4- to 6-hour journey.

First class:

First class is quieter and more spacious, with a 2–2 seating layout and more legroom. It can be a worthwhile upgrade if you are taller than average or traveling with older family members.

Business class:

Business class offers the most spacious seating, but it can cost around three times as much as second class. It is a great choice if you want extra comfort, are traveling for business, or have a generous budget.

Tip: If you are traveling as a family of three, try to book three adjacent second-class seats so everyone can sit together. If you are looking for more space and a quieter carriage, first class is a better option.

Which Beijing Railway Station Should You Use?

Beijing has eight major railway stations, but only a few operate high-speed trains to Xi’an. Since different trains may depart from different stations, it is important to check your departure station carefully before heading out.

Beijing West Railway Station (top choice):

Beijing West Railway Station is the main departure station for high-speed trains to Xi’an. It sits in western Beijing, and can be reached easily by Metro Lines 7 and 9.

Other railway stations:

Depending on your train, you may also need to depart from Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, Beijing North Railway Station, or Qinghe Railway Station.

What to do after booking a train ticket:

Once you’ve booked your ticket, double-check:

• The Chinese and English names of the departure station;
• The distance from your hotel to the departure station;
• The departure time;
• How long it takes to reach the departure station, especially during the morning rush hour.

If this is your first high-speed train journey in China, we recommend arriving at the station at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure. During peak travel periods (e.g., the National Day holiday and Spring Festival) or if you are traveling with bulky luggage, it is best to allow extra time for your journey to the station.

How to Buy Your Ticket

You can purchase Beijing-to-Xi’an high-speed train tickets through the official 12306 China Railway website or mobile app using your passport information. The platform also has an English-language interface, which makes it easier to use.

When registering with this platform for the first time, you must enter your English name exactly as it appears in your passport. If your identity verification fails, you can upload a photo of your passport. If the verification still fails, go to a ticket counter at the station for assistance.

Where to Buy Train Tickets

1. Official ticketing platform

12306 China Railway is China’s official railway ticketing platform. You can book train tickets directly through its website (www.12306.cn) or mobile app (Railway 12306) without paying a booking fee. You can also check the ticket availability, train schedules, and fares on the platform.

2. Third-party English-language ticketing platforms

These third-party platforms provide English-language interfaces that are easy for international travelers to navigate. Many also offer customer support in English. If you use these platforms, be sure to check the service fees and cancellation policies carefully before booking, and look out for any additional charges or optional services.

3. Travel agencies

Travel agencies can help you book train tickets as part of a travel package. If you plan to book a multi-day Beijing-to-Xi’an tour or need hotel and station transfers, selecting a reputable travel agency would be a great help. Feel free to book your Beijing-to-Xi’an tour and train tickets with China Xian Tour.

Train tickets typically go on sale 15 days before departure (including the departure date). During Chinese holidays and weekends, popular trains sell out quickly and seats together can be hard to get, so it’s best to book as soon as tickets are released.

Physical Train Tickets and Manual Verification

You don’t need a physical ticket, but you must bring the original passport used for booking, as it is required for identity verification when entering the station and boarding the train.

If the automated identity verification or ticket-checking system cannot scan or recognize your passport, you can simply proceed to a staffed lane for manual verification. Please note that the Trip Information Reminder issued by 12306 China Railway is not a physical train ticket and cannot be used to enter the station or board the train.

Is It Worth Taking a Normal-Speed Train or an Overnight Sleeper Train?

Besides high-speed trains, there are many normal-speed and overnight sleeper trains.

Overnight sleeper trains are more suitable for:

• Backpackers traveling on a limited budget;
• Travelers who want to save money on a night’s hotel stay;
• Travelers who want to save daytime for sightseeing.

Although overnight trains are usually cheaper than high-speed trains, the savings may not be worth sacrificing comfort or arriving tired the next day.

Stopovers Along the Beijing–Xi’an High-Speed Railway

The Beijing–Xi’an high-speed rail route passes through several cities, including Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, and Luoyang, before reaching Xi’an. If you have extra time, adding a stopover can make your journey more rewarding.

Most of the journey passes through plains and urban areas, but the scenery becomes more mountainous as the train approaches western Henan and Shaanxi, where Mount Hua is located.

Beijing → Luoyang → Xi’an

Luoyang makes a great stopover for history and culture enthusiasts who want to visit Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple (about 1–1.5 hours by car from central Luoyang). Luoyang Longmen Railway Station is right on the Beijing–Xi’an high-speed rail route, with frequent daily trains connecting the city to both Beijing and Xi’an.

Beijing → Mount Hua → Xi’an

If you enjoy hiking and natural scenery, you can get off at Huashan North Railway Station to visit Mount Hua before continuing to Xi’an by high-speed train.

If you have several extra days in your itinerary, adding either stop gives you a richer experience than traveling directly from Beijing to Xi’an. If you only have 6 to 8 days, however, we recommend heading directly to Xi’an.

Getting Around After Arriving Xi’an North Railway Station

Getting to Downtown Xi’an

Once you arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station, the most convenient way to reach downtown Xi’an is usually by metro. The best line to take depends on where you are going to stay.

Most travelers prefer to stay:

• Around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower: This area is the heart of Xi’an’s old city. It is packed with hotels and restaurants, and offers easy metro access.
• Near the Yongning Gate: This area is ideal for travelers who want to explore the Ancient City Wall or enjoy walking and taking in the city’s night views.
• By the Big Wild Goose Pagoda: This area has many upscale hotels. It’s a good choice for travelers who are traveling with family or prefer a quieter atmosphere.

If your hotel is near the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, or Yongning Gate, Line 2 is the most convenient option. If you are staying near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Line 4 is a better choice.

Getting to the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is located outside central Xi’an, far from Xi’an North Railway Station. From the station, the journey to the Terracotta Army usually takes about an hour by car, depending on traffic. A direct shuttle bus to this famous attraction is also available from the North Square of Xi’an North Railway Station.

If you plan to visit the Terracotta Army soon after arriving in Xi’an, a private transfer can save time and spare you the trouble of dragging luggage around.

FAQs about Train Journey from Beijing to Xi’an

Which railway station in Beijing is the most convenient for traveling to Xi’an?

Beijing West Railway Station is generally the most convenient choice, as most high-speed trains to Xi’an depart from here.

Which is faster from Beijing to Xi’an: high-speed train or flight?

Flights are faster. However, once you factor in airport transfers, check-in, and security screening, the door-to-door travel time by high-speed train can be closer to that of a flight than you might expect.

Can international travelers purchase Beijing-to-Xi’an train tickets online?

Yes. International travelers can purchase train tickets online using a valid passport.