FAQ on Tibet Train Travel
Tibet Train Travel FAQs
- Where can I take a train to Lhasa?
- Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Lhasa now?
- Do I need a heath report when I travel by train to Tibet?
- How long it will take to travel to Lhasa by train?
- Where will the train depart from in Beijing? How long is the train journey from Beijing to Lhasa?
- How long in advance can I purchase train ticket to Lhasa?
- Could you please give me some information on the Tibet train conditions?
- How many tickets can I buy one time?
- Which is the better way of transportation for getting to Tibet, train or flight?
- I have been told that it is difficult to get sleeper cars on the train to Tibet. Is this correct?
- I have heard that there are nine scenery-view platforms along the way. What are they and how long does each place stay?
- Can the staff on the train speak some English?
- Purchase Tibet train tickets & Tibet entry permit
Where can I take a train to Lhasa?
There are currently five train services to Lhasa from Beijing, Xining/Lanzhou and Chongqing/Chengdu,Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Lhasa now?
The popularity of train travel to Tibet has resulted in the huge demand for train tickets among visitors. It's very difficult for individual travelers to get a ticket on their own. Reliable travel agencies can not guarantee successful booking. Chinahighlights recommends you fly into Tibet and return by a train.
Do I need a heath report when I travel by train to Tibet?
How long it will take to travel to Lhasa by train?
Beijing West-Lhasa: around 48 hours
Xining-Lhasa: about 27 hours
Lanzhou-Lhasa: 30 hours
Chongqing-Lhasa: 47 hours
Chengdu-Lhasa: 50 hours
Guangzhou-Lhasa: 56 hours
Shanghai-Lhasa: around 49 hours
Where will the train depart from in Beijing? How long is the train journey from Beijing to Lhasa?
The train will depart from the Beijing West Railway Station and the journey takes about 48 hours.
How long in advance can I purchase train ticket to Lhasa?
Train tickets to Lhasa begin to sell 10 days in advance.
Could you please give me some information on the Tibet train conditions?
Trains to Tibet are specially equipped for highland traveling. Each car is equipped with an oxygen-supply system to maintain the air pressure at a suitable level. Each seat will be equipped with an oxygen mask which can be used by individual passengers if needed.
All railway cars are equipped with double-layer glass which is covered with anti-ultraviolet radiation film.
Trains from all destinations including Beijing, Chengdu and elsewhere will be fitted with the equipment to ensure oxygen supply from Golmud.
How many tickets can I buy one time?
Every passenger can only purchase at most two berth tickets or three seat tickets once.
Which is the better way of transportation for getting to Tibet, train or flight?
These two methods of transportation have their own advantages and disadvantages.
By flight
Flights usually arrive at Lhasa airport in the morning or at noon, which enables enough time for travelers to have a good rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. The altitude of Lhasa is about 3500 meters, which is relatively lower than other regions in Tibet, so there are fewer cases of altitude sickness. Usually there might be discounts for the flight tickets to Lhasa.
By train
Advantage: Train passengers can see the great scenery in the Holxil depopulated Area.
Disadvantages:
1) The train ride to Lhasa takes 24 hours from Xining, or more than 48 hours from other cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. In addition, much of the train ride is completed during the night.
2) The train will pass Danggula Mountains which has an altitude of 6000 meters, plus the long-time train ride on the high-altitude area, train passengers may not get a good rest on the train.
3) It is difficult to get the train tickets to Lhasa, especially in July and August, and the tickets booking service charge might be even higher than the cost of the tickets during the high season.
Our suggestion
China Highlights suggests traveling to Lhasa by air and traveling back by train.
Most trains depart Lhasa at 8:00 in the morning, and you have a whole day to see the scenery along the way. The return train ride is also more comfortable after you have got acclimatized to the high altitude from the trip.
Have a look at our Tibet Tours at (http://www.chinahighlights.com/tibet/tours.htm), or feel free to send us an inquiry email to service@chinahighlights.com, our experienced travel advisors will tailor make a tour for you.
I have been told that it is difficult to get sleeper cars on the train to Tibet. Is this correct?
I have heard that there are nine scenery-view platforms along the way. What are they and how long does each place stay?
There are 45 stations along the 1972 km long Qinghai-Tibet railway from Xining to Lhasa and every station has unique scenery. To provide travelers better opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery on that way, scenery-viewing platforms have been set up at nine stations, which includes: Yuzhu Peak Station, Chumaer River,Tuotuo River, Buqiangge, Tanggula Mountain, Lake Namtso, Nagqu, Damshung, Yambajan. The train will stay for around 15 minutes in each station.
Can the staff on the train speak some English?
Yes, unlike staff on trains on other routes, whose English is very limited, staff on trains running on the Qinghai-Tibet railway can all speak some English. Simple communication is ok.
