Tibet Train: Route, Schedule & Tickets 2024
Tibet Train, often referred to as the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, is a high-altitude railway that connects the Tibetan capital of Lhasa with various cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Inaugurated in 2006, the railway is an engineering marvel that stretches over 1,900 kilometers, with sections running at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, making it the world's highest railway. For those drawn to the mysteries of Tibet, the train journey is an integral part of the adventure.
Tibet Train Routes with Map and Schedule
Check the following Tibet train map, which displays the precise locations of all trains traveling to Tibet via the Qinghai Tibet Railway. Currently, trains depart from five cities that connect to Tibet: Xining, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. Take a look at the detailed Tibet train schedules and plan your Tibet train tour accordingly
1. from Beijing To Lhasa Train
Z21 train from Beijing to Lhasa departs every day. It leaves from Beijing West Railway Station at 19:53. And two nights later, Z21 train from Beijing would drive you safely at Lhasa Railway Station at 11:36. That’s to say, you would stay on Beijing-Lhasa train (Z21) for 39:43 hours to complete the whole 3,757 km’s journey. On the way back, Lhasa-Beijing train (Z22) leaves at 15:50
3,757km | 19:53 - 11:36 | 39h 43m.Depart Every Day
2. from Shanghai To Lhasa Train
Z164 train from Shanghai to Lhasa runs every day. It starts from Shanghai Railway Station at 18:33. And on the third day, Shanghai-Lhasa train (Z164) would drive you safely at Lhasa Railway Station at 15:05. Covering 4,373km in total, the whole train trip to Lhasa from Shanghai would take you 46:44 hours to cross eight provinces in mainland China. On the way back, Lhasa-Shanghai train (Z166) leaves at 11:50.
44h 32m | 18:33 -15:05 | 4373km. Depart Every Day
3. from Xining To Lhasa Train
Trains Z8981 and Z8991 are two trains that runs directly from Xining to Lhasa. Compared with trains to Lhasa from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Xining-Lhasa train (Z8981 and Z8991) offers you the shortest ride of 1,956km in total. Train Z8981 runs every other day while Train Z8991 runs daily.
1,956km | 12:50 - 10:20 | 21h 30m. Depart Every Day
4. from Chengdu To Lhasa Train
Z322 train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day. It departs from Chengdu West Railway Station at 21:11. On the third day, Chengdu-Lhasa train (Z322) would take you safely at Lhasa Railway Station at 07:41. Covering 3,070 km in total, Chengdu-Lhasa train trip would take you 34:30 hours to cross five provinces in mainland China. On the way back, Lhasa-Chengdu train (Z324) starts at 19:00.
3,070km | 21:11 - 07:41 | 34h 30m. Depart Every Other Day
5. from Xi'an To Lhasa Train
There are three trains from Xian to Lhasa at present. Among them, two are daily trains with their starting stations in Guangzhou and Shanghai, respectively. These are Z265 (Guangzhou-Lhasa) and Z165 (Shanghai-Lhasa). The third train, Z917, departs every other day and is a newly opened route originating from Xian.
2,864km | 07:53 - 14:17 |30h 24m. Depart Every Day
6. from Guangzhou To Lhasa Train
Z264 train from Guangzhou to Lhasa departs every day. It starts from Guangzhou Railway Station at 09:15. And two days later, Z264 train from Guangzhou would take you safely at Lhasa Railway Station at 14:17. That's to say, the whole train journey to Lhasa from Guangzhou would take you 53:02 hours to cross eight provinces in mainland China. On the way back, Lhasa-Guangzhou train (Z266) leaves at 12:40.
4,980km | 09:15 -14:17 | 53h 2m. Depart Every Day
7. from Chongqing To Lhasa Train
Z223 train from Chongqing to Lhasa departs every other day. It leaves from Chongqingxi Railway Station at 21:56 and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 07:41 on the third day. Covering 3,030 km in total, Chongqing-Lhasa train trip would take you 33:45 hours to cross six provinces in mainland China. On the way back, Lhasa-Chongqing train (Z224) darts at 19:00.
3,030km | 21:56 - 07:4 | 133h 45m. Depart Every Other Day
8. from Lanzhou To Lhasa Train
There is no direct train from Lanzhou to Lhasa at present, but 5 trains originating from other cities (Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an) will stop at Lanzhou Railway Station. Covering the distance of 2,188 km in total, the Lanzhou to Lhasa train would only cost you around 23-25 hours to cross three provinces. Except train Z917 which departs every other day, other four trains run daily from Lanzhou to Lhasa.
2,188km | 08:40 - 07:41 | 23h 1m. Depart Every Day
9. from Golmud To Lhasa Train
Golmud to Lhasa Train: A Shorter Tibet Train Journey that You May Ignore. Generally, tourists getting to Lhasa by train will depart from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xining, Guangzhou etc., which are popular mainland gateway cities to Tibet. However, one can also take a train from Golmud to Lhasa, which covers a shorter ride than the Xining to Lhasa train. There is no direct Tibet train that originates from Golmud, but all trains to Lhasa will make a 25-minute stop at Golmud Railway Station. Check the latest details about Golmud to Lhasa train.
1,142 km | 21:58 - 11:36 | 13hr 38m. Depart Every Day
10. Lhasa To Shigatse Train
Lhasa to Shigatse Train: 2024 Updates on Schedule, Tickets, Stations and More. The Lhasa to Shigatse train offers a new option for traveling from Lhasa to the western regions of Tibet, including the renowned Everest Base Camp. This article covers everything you need to know about the Lhasa to Shigatse train, such as its schedule, ticketing, station guide, onboard facilities, scenery along the route, etc. Keep reading to discover how you can enjoy a smooth and comfortable trip on the Lhasa to Shigatse train. The Lhasa to Shigatse train has been in operation since August 15, 2014. It is an extension of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, spanning a distance of 253 kilometers. This railway is the first to connect the two biggest cities in Tibet, namely Lhasa and Shigatse.
253 km | 08:00 - 10:21. | 13: 30 - 15:30 | 2hr 20m. Depart Every Day
11. from Nyingchi To Lhasa Train
Nyingchi to Lhasa railway opened on June 25, 2021, which is the first electrified rail in Tibet and links two major cities in Tibet, Lhasa, and Nyingchi also called Linzhi. 2 bullet trains equipped with oxygen supplies run from Nyingchi to Lhasa at 12:10 PM and 06:05 PM every day. The travel time is around 3.5 hours - 4 hours and the ticket prices are USD26 to USD78. The Fuxing bullet train D8982 with a maximum speed of 160 km/h finishes the journey in 3h41m. Book bullet trains and high-speed trains from Nyingchi to Lhasa for your holiday or business travel in Tibet, China. You can check live train timetables, schedules, distance, ticket costs, and seat availability and make the booking online.
What scenery you will enjoy from Xinying on the way to Lhasa by train
Yudo Mountain Peak
With an altitude of 6,178 meters, Yuzhu peak is the first major attraction as the Tibet train leaves Golmud to Lhasa. As the Tibet train runs below the spectacular Kunlun Mountain range.