Currently, four pairs of normal-speed trains run between Lanzhou and Lhasa. The journey takes about a day.
Quick Facts
- Distance: 2,188 kilometers (1,360 miles)
- Terminals: Lanzhou Railway Station, Lhasa Railway Station
- Duration: 1-1½ hours
- Main stops: Xining, Naqu, Golmud
Lanzhou to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 17th, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z223 | 09:23 | 10:15 (next day) | 24h 52m |
| Z21 | 12:31 | 12:29 (next day) | 23h 58m |
| Z265 | 16:58 | 16:56 (next day) | 23h 58m |
| Z165 | 18:35 | 18:46 (next day) | 21h 11m |
- Please note: The trains listed above are only some of the ones in operation. The timetable is just for your reference.
- If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.
Lhasa to Lanzhou Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 17th, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z166 | 11:30 | 12:08 (next day) | 24h 38m |
| Z266 | 12:40 | 13:10 (next day) | 24h 30m |
| Z22 | 15:50 | 16:14 (next day) | 24h 24m |
| Z324 | 19:00 | 19:29 (next day) | 24h 29m |
Lanzhou to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|
| US$118 (CNY823) | US$75 (CNY522) | US$34 (CNY240) |
Train Travel Tips
Please remember the most important item when you board a train to Lhasa:
You have to board the train with your Tibet Travel Permit or a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit. If you book a tour with us or another travel agency, please ask us/them to provide you with a Tibet Travel Permit in advance.
To apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, you have to provide the travel agency with a scan of your Chinese visa and passport. It usually takes 20 days to apply for the permit.
All trains from Lanzhou and Lhasa are equipped with air-conditioning and an oxygen supply system. The oxygen supply starts working when the trains arrive at Golmud Railway Station.
There are also direct flights from Lanzhou to Lhasa. About two pairs of flights operate daily in the peak or shoulder season. In the low season, they are not available every day.
The full price of the airfare is about 2,000 CNY for a single trip. You can check to see if there are any discounts available in advance.
Please note that Tibet doesn’t open to foreign visitors in March as it is the Tibetan New Year.
