Lhasa to Lanzhou Train

For those who failed to book an inbound ticket from Lanzhou to Lhasa, but want to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, taking a Lhasa to Lanzhou train is a good choice. This article will provide you with information about the Lhasa to Lanzhou train route map, train timetable, ticket prices for various carriages, required documents, and attractions along the train journey, etc.

Basic Facts about Lhasa to Lanzhou Train

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Open Date: 2006
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Route: Z166 / Z266 / Z22 / Z224 / Z324
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Type: Z-series
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Departure Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (11:50 / 12:35 / 15:50 / 19:00)
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Arrival Station & Time: Lanzhou Railway Station (12:06 / 13:17 / 16:13 / 19:29)
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Distance: 2188 kilometers (1,350 miles)
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Duration: 24hrs 16mins for Z166 / 24hrs 42mins for Z266 / 24hrs 23mins for Z22 / 24hrs 29mins for Z224 and Z324
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Frequency: Daily
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper (from $114), Hard Sleeper (from $72), Hard Seat ($33)
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Avg. Speed: About 90 km/h
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Stops: Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Delingha, Xining, Lanzhou
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Highlights: Yangbajing, Tanggula Mountain, Qiangtang Grassland, Yuzhu Peak, Hoh Xil, Tuotuo River

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Route Map

The train departs from Lhasa Railway Station, passes through Qinghai Province and Gansu Province, and finally arrives in Lanzhou. The train stops at several major stations in China, namely, Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Xining, and Lanzhou.

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Map

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Schedule: Station, Altitude, Time, and Distance

Covering a distance of 2,188 kilometers, three trains (Z166, Z266, and Z22) depart daily from Lhasa to Lanzhou and two trains (Z224 and Z324) run every other day.

Although traveling along the same rail, you will see the different highlights due to the departure times. Which train to board is totally up to you. After you get to know your needs, you can share your thoughts with your Tibet travel consultant as detailed as possible. Check the major railway stations, altitude ascent and descent along the way in the following real-time train schedule.

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Z166

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Z266

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Z22

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Z224 and Z324

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, Hard Seat, and Ticket Price

The outbound trains from Lhasa to Lanzhou are the same as the inbound trains, and also have three types of carriages: soft sleeper, hard sleeper and hard seat. Please read the followings to choose the carriage that best suits you.

1. Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Soft Sleeper

On the train from Lhasa to Lanzhou, there are 2 soft sleeper carriages with a total of 18 compartments and 72 berths. In soft sleeper carriages, there are 4 berths in each compartment, two upper and two lower. The width and length of the berth are 75cm and 190cm, respectively. With spacious space and a lockable door, you can have a private and comfortable journey on the train. In addition, each compartment in the soft sleeper carriage has luggage space beneath the lower berths and beside the upper berths, allowing you to store your belongings within a short distance. The soft sleeper ticket sells at ¥823 ($114) for the upper berth and at ¥852 ($118) for the lower berth.

2. Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Hard Sleeper

The Lhasa to Lanzhou train has 8 hard sleeper carriages with 88 compartments and a total of 528 berths. A typical hard sleeper compartment consists of 6 berths, two upper, two middle, and two lower, with no door for each compartment. The length and width of a hard sleeper berth are 180cm and 60cm, respectively. With no door and cramped space, you have less privacy and may get interrupted by passengers walking by the aisle. Specifically, the hard sleeper tickets are priced at ¥522 ($72) for the upper berth, ¥535 ($74) for the middle berth, and ¥550 ($76) for the lower berth.

3. Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Hard Seat

The Lhasa to Lanzhou train has 3 hard seat carriages with a total of 354 seats. A hard seat is the least comfortable one, as you can only sit upright on the non-adjustable seats. The hard seat ticket price is the cheapest at ¥240 ($33), with the sacrifice being the comfort and good sleep. So, think twice before booking hard seats.

4. Which kind of train ticket should I choose?

Every option offers a distinct experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and budget. You can check the table below for reference.

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Cabin	4 (2 upper, 2 lower)	6 (2 upper, 2 middle, 2 lower)	No berths (seats only)
Privacy	More (with door)	Less (no door)	None
Bed Softness	Softer mattress	Firmer mattress	No bed
Space	More spacious	Less spacious	Very cramped
Noise Level	Lower	Higher	Very high
Cost	Most expensive Upper Berth: $114 Lower Berth: $118	Moderate Upper Berth: $72 Middle Berth: $74 Lower Berth: $76	Cheapest Hard Seat $33
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Cabin	4 (2 upper, 2 lower)	6 (2 upper, 2 middle, 2 lower)	No berths (seats only)
Privacy	More (with door)	Less (no door)	None
Bed Softness	Softer mattress	Firmer mattress	No bed
Space	More spacious	Less spacious	Very cramped
Noise Level	Lower	Higher	Very high
Cost	Most expensive Upper Berth: $114 Lower Berth: $118	Moderate Upper Berth: $72 Middle Berth: $74 Lower Berth: $76	Cheapest Hard Seat $33
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

About Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket Price: The ticket prices above are the net price. Actually, an additional service fee is charged since the demand for Tibet train ticket far exceeds the supply. Once entrusted, we will manage to secure the ticket and ensure a seamless train journey for you.

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket

Booking outbound tickets from Lhasa to Lanzhou is much easier than booking inbound tickets. So, if you want to experience the wonder of engineering but haven’t secured an inbound ticket, the outbound train ticket is a good choice. The following questions might help you.

1. How to Book Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket?

There are three options for booking train tickets from Lhasa to Lanzhou:

Option 1: Tickets can be purchased in person at any major railway station in large cities.
Option 2: You can book tickets directly through the official website-12306.cn.
Option 3: You can book with Tibet Horizon in advance. In addition to securing your train tickets, we offer Lanzhou Tibet tour packages, including local sightseeing and Tibet Travel Permit application service. Simply contact us with your requirements, and we will manage all the arrangements for you.

2. Where and how to get Lhasa to Lanzhou train ticket?

If you booked your ticket on the official website of China Railway, you can get an e-ticket. You can take the train at Lhasa Railway Station with just the e-ticket, your passport and visa.

If you booked your ticket through Tibet Horizon, we will hand over the ticket to you. After that, you can enter the railway station and board the train with the train ticket, valid passport and visa.

Please note that currently you do not need to hold a paper ticket to take the train in China.

3. How to read Lhasa to Lanzhou train ticket?

拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
兰州站: Lanzhou Railway Station
xx年xx月xx日xx开: xx Year xx Month xx Date xx Departing
xx车xx号上/中/下铺: xx Carriage xx Upper/Middle/Lower Berth
新空调软卧/硬卧/硬座: Soft Sleeper/Hard Sleeper/Hard Seat

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Ticket

Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Trip

If you don't have the experience of taking the inbound trains, the following questions might help you for a smoother Tibet train tour.

1. How to get to Lhasa Railway Station?

The Lhasa Railway Station serves as the only station that has regular trains connecting the Chinese Mainland. Due to the huge number of travelers in the railway station, it’s advisable to arrive at the Lhasa Railway Station early to line up to board the train. But don’t worry, our guide will drive you to Lhasa Railway Station when your Tibet tour ends.

2. What travel documents do l need for Lhasa to Lanzhou train?

A valid passport and a Chinese Visa are needed to board a Lhasa to Lanzhou train.

3. How to board the train from Lhasa to Lanzhou?

1) Get your train ticket firstly and then pass the security check into the waiting hall of train station;
2) Pass the ticket checkpoint;
3) Find your train carriage according to your train ticket and the LED screen show;
4) Board the train and pass the ticket check again;
5) Find your berth according to your train ticket;
6) Change your train ticket paper to berth card. Train boarding ends.

4. What's the best time for Lhasa to Lanzhou train tour?

The best time for the Lhasa to Lanzhou train journey is from April to October. April, May, June and September are ideal travel times with pleasant weather, clear skies and fewer crowds than the peak summer season. July and August are the peak tourist seasons with warm weather and colorful festivals. October is cooler with charming autumn scenery. Taking all factors into consideration, April to June and September to October are the best months to travel to Tibet.

5. What to see in Lhasa to Lanzhou train journey?

The train from Lhasa to Lanzhou passes through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the scenery along the way is stunning.

As soon as you leave Lhasa, you can first see the Yangbajing geothermal area, where steam rises from the ground, as if you are on another planet. Then to the Tanggula Mountain Pass, the train climbs to the world's highest railway point at 5,072 meters and crosses a permafrost bridge.

The train then enters the Qiangtang Grassland, where yaks, Tibetan antelopes and nomadic tents exist on the vast plateau meadows, vast and peaceful. The train goes west and you will see the holy Yuzhu Peak, giving you a sense of awe.

Approaching the HohXil Nature Reserve, wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes, wild camels and snow leopards often appear next to the bridge. The elevated passage is specially built for them, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. Then you’ll pass the Tuotuo River, the source of the Yangtze River. The river flows quietly, and the azure blue water reflects the snow-capped mountains.

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6. How about Lhasa to Lanzhou train facilities?

The train from Lhasa to Lanzhou is equipped with advanced facilities that are tailored to the special altitude, temperature and other specific conditions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The train is equipped with public washrooms, air conditioning, a pressurization system, two oxygen supply systems, an altitude display and other facilities.

In addition to the three carriages mentioned above, the train also provides catering. You can enjoy formal meals and drinks in the dining car in the middle of the train, where professional chefs cook traditional Chinese food for you. The meal fee is RMB 25-50 per person, and cash, WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted. The food trolley passes through the carriage from time to time, providing snacks. You can also enjoy free boiled water from the water heater next to the sink. As the journey is as long as 24 hours, it is recommended that you buy some food before boarding, such as snacks, fruits, bread or instant noodles.

7. Is it safe on Tibet train to Lanzhou?

It is safe to take Tibet train because each carriage is independent with a surveillance camera and the 24-hour police patrol, making the train ride safer.

8. How to get to Lanzhou City from Lanzhou Railway Station?

It is very convenient to get to the city from Lanzhou Railway Station. You can choose to take Metro Line 2 (Railway Station Subway Station → Dongfanghong Square, about 2 stations) and then transfer to Line 1 to go directly to the city center (such as Cultural Palace, etc.); you can also take Bus No. 1 at the bus hub in front of the station to go directly to the main areas of the city (operating hours 06:00-24:00). Or you can take a taxi or online car-hailing service to your destination, the journey takes about 15-20 minutes, which is also very convenient.