Xi’an North Railway Station, the city’s main high-speed train station, may also appear as Xi’an North Station or Xi’anbei Station. It can be easily confused with Xi’an Railway Station. As the two stations are quite far apart, be sure to check your ticket and go to the correct station to avoid missing your train.
Facts
- Chinese name: 西安北站
- Names on the ticket: Xi’anbei / 西安北
- Address: Yuanshuo Road, Weiyang District, Xi’an
- Main trains: G-series and D-series high-speed trains, with frequent daily services
- Metro: Lines 2, 4, and 14
- To the Bell Tower: Direct via Metro Line 2
- To Xi’an Xianyang International Airport: Direct via Metro Line 14
- Suggested arrival time: 45–60 minutes before departure, or earlier during peak periods
Content Preview
- How to Avoid Going to the Wrong Railway Station
- Where Can You Go by High-Speed Train from Xi’an?
- Buying Tickets & Boarding the Train
- How to Get to Xi’an North Railway Station: Subway or Taxi?
- Getting from Xi’an North Railway Station to Popular Attractions
- Layout, Facilities & Services
- First-Time Visitor Tips
How to Avoid Going to the Wrong Railway Station
Xi’an has three railway stations: Xi’an North Railway Station, Xi’an Railway Station, and Xi’an East Station. The station name shown on your ticket tells you exactly where to go. You cannot use a ticket for one station to board a train at another. Always check the full station name on your ticket before heading out.
How to Read Your Ticket?
Don’t guess the station from the train number prefix (e.g., G, D, K), or assume all high-speed trains leave from Xi’an North Railway Station. Go to the departure station shown on your ticket:
- Xi’anbei (西安北): Go to Xi’an North Railway Station.
- Xi’an (西安): Go to Xi’an Railway Station.
- Xi’andong (西安东): Go to Xi’an East Railway Station, which officially opened on June 30, 2026.
Xi’an North Railway Station vs. Xi’an Railway Station
Item |
Xi’an North Railway Station |
Xi’an Railway Station |
Location |
Northern Xi’an |
Central Xi’an, northeast of the old city |
Main trains |
Frequent G-series and D-series high-speed trains |
Regular trains and some G-series and D-series high-speed trains |
To the Bell Tower |
Direct via Metro Line 2 (about 30 minutes) |
About 10–15 minutes by taxi |
If you need to transfer between Xi’an Railway Station and Xi’an North Railway Station, the easiest way is to take Metro Line 4. Allow at least 1–1.5 hours for the transfer if you have a train to catch.
Where Can You Go by High-Speed Train from Xi’an?
Xi’an North Railway Station connects Xi’an with various destinations such as Beijing, Luoyang, Mount Hua, and Chengdu by high-speed rail, making it easy to include Xi’an in a multi-city trip.
Destination |
Travel Time (G / D Train) |
Second Class Fare (CNY / USD) |
Why Go |
Beijing |
4h10m–8h12m |
373–618 CNY (~$55–91) |
Pair with Xi’an for a classic China trip. |
Shanghai |
5h50m–9h29m |
449–805 CNY (~$66–119) |
Experience the blend of tradition and modern life. |
Luoyang Longmen Station |
1h15m–1h55m |
174–209 CNY (~$26–31) |
Explore the Longmen Grottoes. |
Huashan North Station |
28–41 min |
38–63 CNY (~$6–9) |
Marvel at the steep cliffs of Mount Hua. |
Chengdu |
3h11m–4h21m |
210–300 CNY (~$31–44) |
Meet pandas and savor Sichuan food. |
Zhengzhou |
1h44m–2h47m |
239–277 CNY (~$35–41) |
Explore the Shaolin Temple and other historic sites near Zhengzhou. |
Lanzhou |
2h37m–6h34m |
178–395 CNY (~$26–58) |
Admire the Yellow River and savor Lanzhou beef noodles. |
Chongqing |
5h4m–6h47m |
302–529 CNY (~$45–78) |
Visit the mountain city and try Chongqing hot pot. |
Note: Always check 12306 China Railway for the exact fare, as ticket prices vary with the train, travel time, and season.
For a Mount Hua day trip, the most convenient route is to take a high-speed train from Xi’an North Railway Station to Huashan North Railway Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to the scenic area.
Extend Your Xi’an Trip with High-Speed Train Tours:
China Golden Triangle Tour 2026: 8 Days Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai Itinerary
9 Days Beijing Xian Chengdu Group Tour by High-speed Train
6 Days Classic Xi’an and Luoyang Tour
6-Day Xi’an & Pingyao Private Tour with Muslim Culture
Buying Tickets & Boarding the Train
You can buy tickets and board high-speed trains in China with a valid passport, which you’ll use to enter and exit the station.
How to Purchase Tickets
You can purchase train tickets through the following channels:
- 12306 China Railway: It is the official train ticketing platform. Both its website (www.12306.cn) and mobile app (Railway 12306) have English versions, allowing international travelers to register and purchase tickets.
- Third-party ticketing platforms: These platforms provide English-language interfaces and customer support, which is convenient for international travelers. Yet, they may charge additional booking or service fees.
- Ticket counters at the railway station: You can buy, change, or cancel tickets at a ticket counter. This is useful when you have issues that cannot be resolved online or need to travel at the last minute.
Note: If you’re traveling on a popular route, it’s best to book your train ticket in advance.
How to Navigate the Station
Here’s what to do when you arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station:
- Verify that your e-ticket shows Xi’anbei (西安北).
- Enter the station with your original passport used for booking.
- Go through security screening with your luggage.
- Check the electronic display boards for your train number and boarding gate.
- Once boarding starts, go through the designated boarding gate to the platform.
Do you Need a Paper Ticket?
Usually not. An e-ticket and your valid passport are all you need to enter the station or board the train, and the Trip Information Reminder issued by 12306 China Railway cannot be used as a substitute for either.
How Early to Arrive at the Station
On weekdays, we recommend arriving 45–60 minutes before departure. If it’s your first time taking a high-speed train in China, you have large luggage, or you’re unfamiliar with the station, it’s best to arrive 60 minutes before departure.
During peak travel periods such as the Spring Festival, May Day, and National Day holidays, it’s best to arrive 1–2 hours before departure.
Boarding usually starts around 30 minutes before departure, so stay in the waiting hall until then.
How to Get to Xi’an North Railway Station: Subway or Taxi?
The most convenient way for tourists to get to Xi’an North Railway Station is by subway. If you’re traveling with 2–3 people or several large suitcases, taking a taxi or ride-hailing car may be more convenient.
From the City Center
Metro Line 2 is the most convenient option. You can take Line 2 directly to Xi’an North Railway Station. With this option, you won’t have to worry about traffic jams during peak hours.
From Xi’an Railway Station
Metro Line 4 is the easiest option. It runs directly to Xi’an North Railway Station, so there is no need to take a taxi across the city.
From Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
Metro Line 14 is the most convenient public transportation option.
The metro journey from Airport West Station (serving Terminals 1, 2, and 3) to Xi’an North Railway Station takes about 35–40 minutes. If your flight arrives at T5, use Airport Station (T5) instead, which is also served by Metro Line 14.
We generally suggest allowing:
- Domestic flight arrival: at least about 2.5–3 hours before your high-speed train departure
- International flight arrival: at least 3.5–4 hours before your high-speed train departure
The extra time allows for possible flight delays, immigration procedures (only for international arrivals), baggage claim, walking through the airport, and security checks at the metro and railway stations.
If you arrive late at night, also check the last metro time of Line 14, as its actual operating hours may vary by date.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing Tips
If you’re taking a taxi to Xi’an North Railway Station, show the driver its Chinese name, “西安北站.” Do not simply say “Xi’an train station,” as the driver may understand it as Xi’an Railway Station. Before heading to the station, check your e-ticket again to confirm that the destination is “Xi’anbei (西安北).”
If you use a ride-hailing app such as DiDi, enter “Xi’an North Railway Station” as your destination.
Getting from Xi’an North Railway Station to Popular Attractions
After arriving at Xi’an North Railway Station, simply choose your transportation based on where you’re heading next.
To the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, or Muslim Quarter
If your hotel is near the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, or Muslim Quarter, take Metro Line 2 directly to Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station.
To the Xi’an City Wall
Take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen (Yongning Gate) Station. From there, it’s about a 5–10-minute walk to the Yongning Gate (South Gate), one of the most popular entrances to the City Wall.
To the Terracotta Army
If you arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station in the morning and want to visit the Terracotta Army that day, you don’t need to go into the city center first. You can go directly to the Terracotta Army:
- Take a taxi or ride-hailing service if you’re short on time or traveling with 2–3 people.
- Choose a private transfer if you have bulky luggage or plan to visit other attractions later that day.
Public transportation is also possible, but you need to take the subway from Xi’an North Railway Station first and then transfer to a bus or shuttle to the Terracotta Army. It’s the cheapest way to get there, but it takes longer and is less convenient if you have a lot of luggage.
What about bulky luggage? You can go directly to the Terracotta Army with large suitcases, but it may be inconvenient. If you need to get back to Xi’an North Railway Station for a train later that afternoon, it’s better to store your luggage first. If you’re staying in the city that night, it’s best to arrange a private transfer that can take you to the Terracotta Army with your luggage and then drop you off at your hotel after your visit.
Layout, Facilities & Services
Xi’an North Railway Station covers 533,000 square meters. Rather than learning the station’s entire layout, it’s more important to know where to go after you arrive.
Station Map
Getting to the Waiting Hall
Once you enter the station and go through security, you can take the elevator or escalator up to the second floor, where the main waiting hall is located. Check the electronic display boards for your train number and boarding gate. You can then wait in the main hall until boarding begins. There is no need to go to the platform before boarding is announced. When your train is called for boarding, follow the signs to the designated platform.
The second floor also has dining and shopping areas, and toilets and hot water stations are available on both sides of the waiting hall.
Luggage Storage
Xi’an North Railway Station offers luggage storage services, including staffed storage counters and self-service electronic lockers in the north and south squares.
However, luggage lockers may not be available when you arrive, especially during May Day and National Day holidays and the summer vacation (July and August). If you are traveling with large or multiple suitcases, or prefer not to use mobile payment, consider using the staffed luggage storage counters instead.
Where to Eat
On the second floor, you will find a wide range of restaurants and cafés serving Chinese light meals, fast food, and local dishes.
If you have more than 40 minutes before departure, you can grab a meal. If you have only about 20 minutes left before departure, it’s best to skip the meal and wait near your boarding gate.
Should You Stay Nearby?
You don’t need to stay near Xi’an North Railway Station unless you are:
- Taking a very early high-speed train the next day;
- Arriving at the station late at night;
- Staying in Xi’an for just one night before continuing your journey.
For most visitors, staying near the Bell Tower, South Gate, or Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is more convenient for exploring Xi’an. Don’t stay near Xi’an North Railway Station for your entire Xi’an trip just because your train arrives there.
First-Time Visitor Tips
- Always carry your original passport with you.
- Take a screenshot of your train number and boarding gate information in advance.
- Don’t assume your departure station based solely on the prefix (G or D) of the train number.
- If your passport cannot be recognized by an automated boarding gate, go to the manual ticket-checking lane.
- You usually cannot access the platform until boarding begins.
- You can carry up to 20 kg of luggage free of charge, and each piece cannot exceed 130 cm (51 inches) in total dimensions (length + width + height). If your luggage exceeds these limits, you can check it in.
- Your power banks do not need to carry the 3C mark.
- Trains generally don’t wait for late passengers.
