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
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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.
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
May 10th, 2012at 2:23 am(#)
very good site