Tibet Train Tickets

January 30th, 2015  |  Published in Tibet Travel Tips  |  2 Comments

Since the Qinghai – Tibet Railway opened in 2006, millions of travelers have taken the train into Lhasa. The railway travels through remote areas of eastern and northern Tibet, across frozen plains, and over high mountain passes. In addition to offering passengers a glimpse of the incredible scenery of the Tibetan plateau, the train also offers the opportunity to rest and acclimatize before reaching Lhasa (3500m).

Due to the popularity of the Tibet train during the peak tourist season in the summer (May – October), train tickets become very difficult to get. Large government agencies reserve tickets before they go on sale to the public and then resell them to smaller travel agencies for a higher price. In addition, ticket dealers camp out in the train stations overnight, buy out the tickets as soon as they go on sale in the morning, and then scalp them to potential buyers. As a result, prices are driven up.

Note: Since May 1st, 2012, foreign travelers need to show a copy of permits along with all the copies of your passport to purchase train tickets. Once permits is issued, your passport number will be print it out on the left corner of the ticket.

Below is the schedule of trains to Lhasa. Passenger trains start in Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xining and Lanzhou. At the moment, SnowLion Tours can assist travelers in purchasing Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Xining to Lhasa train tickets. For train tickets starting in other locations, we recommend you contact a local travel agency or hotel and ask them to purchase the tickets for you.

Note that train tickets go on sale 20 days before departure and sell out very, very quickly. If you plan to take the train into Lhasa, arrange for your tickets at least 21 days in advance. We cannot guarantee your tickets, but we usually have no problem getting them, and will try our best.

If you have firm dates and must be in Lhasa by a certain date, then it is better to fly in.

Tibet Train Schedule 2015

Beijing – Lhasa and Lhasa – Beijing Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
Z21 Beijing 20:10 Lhasa 14:30(3rd day) 4,064km 42hrs 20min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily
Z22 Lhasa 14:35 Beijing 08:20(3rd day) 4,064km 41hrs 30min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily

Chengdu – Lhasa and Lhasa – Chengdu Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
T22 Chengdu 20:45   Lhasa 15:28(3rd day) 3,360km 42hrs 43 min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/DecEven Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/Oct
T24 Lhasa   09:40 Chengdu 08:16 (3rd day) 3,360km 46hrs 36min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/DecEven Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/Oct

Shanghai – Lhasa and Lhasa – Shanghai Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
Z163 Shanghai 19:16 Lhasa 18:57(3rd day) 4,373km 47hrs 03min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily
Z166 Lhasa 10:25 Shanghai 11:28(3rd day) 4,373km 49hrs 03min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily


Guangzhou – Lhasa and Lhasa – Guangzhou Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
Z264 Guangzhou 11:42 Lhasa 17:43 (3rd day) 4,980km 54hrs 02min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily
Z266 Lhasa 10:00 Guangzhou 18:10(3rdday) 4,980km 56hrs 10min
Frequency (Year 2015): Daily

Chongqing – Lhasa and Lhasa – Chongqing Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
T222 Chongqing 20:23 Lhasa 15:28(3rd day) 3,654km 43hrs 05min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/OctEven Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/Dec
T224 Lhasa 09:40 Chongqing 08:20(3rd day) 3,654km 46hrs 40min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/OctEven Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/Dec

Lanzhou – Lhasa and Lhasa – Lanzhou Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
Z917 Lanzhou 12:19 Lhasa 13:39(2nd day) 2,188km 25hrs 20min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/OctEven Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/Dec
Z918 Lhasa 08:40 Lanzhou 10:14(2nd day) 2,188km 25hrs 34min
Frequency (Year 2012):Odd Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/DecEven Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/Oct

Xining – Lhasa and Lhasa – Xining Trains

Train # From Dep. Time To Arr. Time Total Distance Total Hours
Z6801 Xining 14:56 Lhasa 13:39(2nd day) 1,972km 22hrs 47min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/DecEven Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/Oct(Multiple trains originating in other cities also stop in Xining on the way to Lhasa.)
Z6802 Lhasa 08:20 Xining 07:26(2nd day) 1,972km 24hrs 24min
Frequency (Year 2015):Odd Days in Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Sep/OctEven Days in Jan/Apr/May/Aug/Nov/Dec(Multiple trains headed out of Lhasa stop in Xining on the way to their destination.)

If you need any information about Tibet train tickets or arranging a tour in Tibet, contact us at info@snowliontours.com.

Responses

  1. Kerrie says:

    July 4th, 2011at 1:01 am(#)

    Hi there,

    Is it possible to take a bike on the Xining -Lhasa train?

    I plan to take my bike to Lhasa and then mountain bike around the area. How easy would it be to do this (as I read that you cannot travel independently in Tibet, you must be with a guide at all times…)

    Also, how easy is it/how much does it cost to get a permit for Tibet ifyou are not booked on a group tour (I’ve read that you can still get a permit as its possible for a travel agency to organise a 1man tour, and then, once you arrive leave you to do your own thing.)

    Kind regards,

    Kerrie

  2. danie says:

    May 10th, 2012at 2:23 am(#)

    very good site

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