Only one pair of normal-speed trains, Z21 and Z22, run directly between Beijing and Lhasa daily. High-speed trains are unavailable.
The journey takes 40 hours but it's still popular to travel to Tibet by train because the amazing scenery along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway is definitely worth it.
Quick Facts
- Distance: 3,757 kilometers (2,334 miles)
- Terminals: Beijing West Railway Station, Lhasa Railway Station
- Duration: 40 hours
- Main stops: Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud
Beijing to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on March 12, 2020)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z21 | 20:00 | 12:45, the third day | 40 h 45 min |
The timetable above is for your reference only. Check out the Beijing to Lhasa up-to-date schedules.
Lhasa to Beijing Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on March 12, 2020)
| Train Number> | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z22 | 15:50 | 08:28, the third day | 40 h 38 min |
Beijing to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|
| ¥1,262 ($183) | ¥793 ($115) | ¥360 ($53) |
Lhasa Railway Station
Lhasa Railway Station is located about 8 kilometers southwest of Lhasa city center. It takes 15–20 minutes' drive to get there.
A Lhasa train’s facilities:
- Oxygen outlets
- Restaurant car
- No Western-style toilets
- Bunks are relatively cramped
Tips for Train Travel to/from Lhasa
The peak season in Tibet is from May to October and the train tickets are always in great demand during this time. Lhasa tickets are hoarded by government agencies and scalpers and resold at high profits. It is hard to get a direct train ticket in the peak season.
If you really want to take a train to Tibet, transferring at Xining Railway Station is a good option because there are five trains to/from Xining to Lhasa each day.
The other alternative is entering Lhasa on a flight and departing by train. Usually, Lhasa airfares don’t include any discounts; therefore, the price of a flight is usually much higher.
The flight duration time is only 4½ hours, or 6½ hours if you have a stopover in Xining, Xi'an, or Chengdu. This allows you to enter Lhasa more smoothly and you can also experience the “highest” train route when you depart from there. The train journey passes through the Tanggula Pass, which is about 5,000 meters above sea level.
Kindly note that foreigners who want to visit Tibet need to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit in advance. These permits are issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). International passengers need to show the original permits before boarding their flights. For trains, international passengers need to show a copy of the permits on the train.
See more information on Tibet Travel Guide.
