Xi’an to Lhasa Train

 

Xi’an is most renowned for being the ancient capital of 13 dynasties. When wandering around in downtown Xi’an, you will easily run into the mighty greyish city walls that were built during ancient times. Along with the Terra Cotta Warriors that were built in 210-209 B.C., Xi’an is a destination for those who are fond of ancient history. Xi’an cuisine is also popular and has a reputation for providing people with generous serving sizes. You may be surprised to see how the cuisine symbolizes the pasta culture of China’s northern territory.

Xi’an has daily trains going to Lhasa with four main midway stopovers at Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Nagchu. The duration of the Xi’an-Lhasa train ride is about 30 hours, and you will get to stay overnight on the train.

Please note that there are three railway stations in Xi’an, and the Xi’an to Lhasa train departs from the Xi’an Railway Station.

Xi’an to Lhasa Train Schedule & Price

Train No.	From / To	Dep. / Arr.	Duration	Distance	Hard Sleeper	Soft Sleeper
Z265	Xi’an/Lhasa	09:45/16:19	30:34	2864km	CNY611.5	CNY969.5
Z165	Xi’an/Lhasa	11:24/19:30	32:06	2864km	CNY611.5	CNY969.5

Timetable of Xian to Lhasa Train No. Z265

Station	Altitude	Arrival	Departure	Stop Time	Distance	Days
Xi’an	385m	--	09:45	--	--	Day 1
Lanzhou	1520m	16:26	16:41	15min	676km	Day 1
Xining	2200m	19:11	19:31	20min	892km	Day 1
Delingha	2982m	23:33	23:35	2min	1209km	Day 1
Golmud	2780m	02:32	02:57	25min	1722km	Day 2
Nagchu	4500m	12:29	12:35	6min	2542km	Day 2
Lhasa	3650m	16:19	--	--	2864km	Day 2

Timetable of Xian to Lhasa Train No. Z165

Station	Altitude	Arrival	Departure	Stop Time	Distance	Days
Xi’an	385m	--	11:24	--	--	Day 1
Lanzhou	1520m	18:17	18:34	17min	676km	Day 1
Xining	2200m	21:07	21:27	20min	892km	Day 1
Delingha	2982m	01:29	01:31	2min	1209km	Day 1
Golmud	2780m	04:21	04:46	25min	1722km	Day 2
Nagchu	4500m	14:56	15:10	14min	2542km	Day 2
Lhasa	3650m	19:30	--	--	2864km	Day 2

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Schedule & Price

Train No.	From / To	Dep. / Arr.	Duration	Distance	Hard Sleeper	Soft Sleeper
Z166	Lhasa/Xi’an	11:30/20:34	33:04	1972km	CNY495	CNY781
Z266	Lhasa/Xi’an	12:55/21:49	32:54	1972km	CNY495	CNY781

Timetable of Lhasa to Xi’an Train No. Z166

Station	Altitude	Arrival	Departure	Stop Time	Distance	Days
Lhasa	3650m	--	11:30	--	--	Day 1
Nagchu	4500m	15:08	15:14	6min	322km	Day 1
Golmud	2780m	01:23	01:48	25min	1142km	Day 2
Delingha	2980m	04:15	04:17	2min	1478km	Day 2
Xining	2200m	08:55	09:15	20min	1972km	Day 2
Lanzhou	1520m	12:11	12:26	15min	2188km	Day 2
Xi’an	385m	20:34	--	--	2864km	Day 2

Timetable of Lhasa to Xi’an Train No. Z266

Station	Altitude	Arrival	Departure	Stop Time	Distance	Days
Lhasa	3650m	--	12:55	--	--	Day 1
Nagchu	4500m	16:32	16:38	6min	322km	Day 1
Golmud	2780m	02:50	03:15	25min	1142km	Day 2
Delingha	2980m	05:42	05:44	2min	1478km	Day 2
Xining	2200m	10:20	10:40	20min	1972km	Day 2
Lanzhou	1520m	13:25	13:41	16min	2188km	Day 2
Xi’an	385m	21:49	--	--	2864km	Day 2

 

FAQs about train from Xi’an to Lhasa and Lhasa to Xi’an

1. Is Xi’an the ideal place to take the train to Lhasa?

Trains from Shanghai and Guangzhou to Lhasa pass through Xi’an. Since Xi’an is not the terminal station, it is kind of hard to guarantee the tickets. But it is applicable to take a train from Xi’an to Xining or Lanzhou and then take the train to Lhasa. Since China Eastern Airline always provides very good flight prices from Xi’an to Lhasa, it is wise to fly in from Xi’an and then take a train out of Lhasa. The train tickets out of Lhasa are much easier to get too.

2. What is the deadline to book the train tickets from Xi’an to Lhasa?

The train tickets will be sold approximately 30 days before the departure date. Because of the great demand for them, it is suggested that you book the tickets within the first minute. During the high season from April to October, the tickets might be sold out within several minutes. GoToTibet has a trustworthy tickets partner who is a professional at booking tickets. We can help you with the booking if needed.

3. Which berth is better on the train: upper, middle or lower berth?

For the soft sleeper, there are only upper and lower berths. They’re both spacious, so either one is comfortable enough. You can have more privacy if you stay in an upper bed. As for the upper and middle berths in the hard sleeper, it is almost impossible to sit up straight. But the lower bed is always the preferred choice of the passengers who hold tickets for an upper and middle berth. The soft sleeper is a better choice, comfort wise.

4. What do we eat on the train to Lhasa?

There is one whole carriage which serves as the restaurant on the train. You can have your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners there at certain times. Before mealtime, there will be broadcasting to inform the passengers of when it’s time to eat. Normally, it costs about 10 yuan for breakfast, and 20 to 40 yuan for lunch and dinner. The food is kind of simple but very tasty. The breakfast meals include milk, coffee, egg, porridge, steamed bun, bread, and more. The lunch and dinner foods consist of Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, Yuxiang Shredded Pork, Scrambled Eggs with Tomato, vegetable, and some Tibetan dishes. The restaurant is not only good for meals, but it is also a great place to enjoy the view outside the window. If it is not mealtime, you must at least buy a beer or other beverage so that you can enter the restaurant and get the privilege of sitting there and enjoying the grand view of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Except for eating in the restaurant carriage, the train staff brings boxed meals to each train cabin. Since it is a long journey, it is better to prepare some snacks ahead of time because the price of the food will be double if you buy it on the train.

5. Can we get a non-smoking compartment on Xi’an to Lhasa train?

It is not permitted to smoke in the train compartment. However, you can smoke at the junction of the two coaches. Once the train enters Golmud, there will be an oxygen supply in the train. It is forbidden to smoke in any part of the train.