Lhasa to Xian Train

For tourists planning to return to Xi'an from Lhasa, taking the train outbound allows you to deeply feel the vastness and tranquility of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This article gives you all the details for train travel from Lhasa to Xi'an: route map, schedule, ticket prices by class, necessary documents, and sightseeing spots along the way.

Basic Facts about Lhasa to Xi’an Train

Lhasa to Xi'an Train Open Date: 2006
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Route: Z166 / Z266
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Type: Z-series
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Departure Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (11:50 / 12:35)
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Arrival Station & Time: Xi'an Railway Station (20:38 / 21:38)
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Distance: 2,864 kilometers (1,748 miles)
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Duration: 32hrs 48mins for Z166 / 33hrs 03mins for Z266
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Frequency: Daily
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper (from $135), Hard Sleeper (from $83), Hard Seat (from $41)
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Avg. Speed: 120km/h
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Stops: Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou, Xianyang, Xi'an
Lhasa to Xi'an Train Highlights: Yangbajing, Tanggula Pass, Qiangtang Glassland, Yuzhu Peak, Hoh Xil

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Route Map

The train departs from Lhasa Railway Station, passes through Qinghai Province, Gansu Province and Shaanxi Province. It stops at several major stations, namely, Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou, Xianyang, and Xi'an. Check out the map below to get a panoramic view of the Lhasa to Xi'an train route.

Lhasa to Xi'an Train Map

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Schedule: Station, Altitude, Time, and Distance

Departing from Lhasa, Z166 train to Shanghai and Z266 train to Guangzhou make a daily stop at Xi'an, covering a distance of 2188 kilometers.

The departure time difference between these two routes is about 1 hour, and the scenery you see is similar, so which train to choose depends entirely on your preferences. After thinking about your needs, please tell our Tibet travel consultant as much as possible. The real-time train timetable will show you major stations, altitude changes along the way, etc. Please check it carefully.

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Z166

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Z266

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, Hard Seat, and Ticket Price

Like other Tibet trains, the Lhasa to Xi'an train also has three types of carriages: soft sleeper, hard sleeper and hard seat. Different Tibet train carriages meet the different needs of passengers, and the ticket prices are also different. You can choose the most suitable ticket according to your personal budget and comfort needs. The following is a breakdown of ticket classes and approximate costs for the Lhasa to Xi'an train:

1. Lhasa to Xi’an Train Soft Sleeper

The soft sleeper is the most comfortable option on the Lhasa to Xi'an train, which provides a private compartment with four berths. Equipped with air conditioning, clean bedding and a lockable door, the soft sleeper is extremely comfortable and is an ideal choice for long-distance travel. The soft sleeper ticket price is ￥969.5 ($135) for the upper berth and ￥1005.5 ($140) for the lower berth.

2. Lhasa to Xi’an Train Hard Sleeper

The hard sleeper compartment has six berths and is not as private as the soft sleeper compartment, but it still provides a fairly comfortable resting space on long journeys, and is also a popular and economical choice for travelers. The price of a hard sleeper ticket is ￥611.5 ($83) for the upper berth, ￥629.5 ($87) for the middle berth, and ￥647.5 ($90) for the lower berth.

3. Lhasa to Xi’an Train Hard Seat

The hard seat in a shared carriage is the most economical option on the Lhasa to Xi'an train. The ticket price is relatively cheap for ¥293.5 ($41) per person. Although the hard seat provides basic comfort, it is not suitable for long-distance travel for privacy lacking.

4. Which kind of train ticket should I choose?

A soft sleeper is the best choice for long-distance train journey. The soft sleeper compartment is a four-person private room with a lockable door, four comfortable berths, independent reading lights, oxygen supply ports, TVs, etc. Of course, choosing the right train compartment for your trip from Lhasa to Xi'an depends on your budget, comfort preferences, and how much time you're willing to spend on the journey. You can check the table below for reference.

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Lhasa to Xi'an 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: $135 Lower Berth: $140	Moderate Upper Berth: $83 Middle Berth: $87 Lower Berth: $90	Cheapest Hard Seat $41
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Lhasa to Xi'an 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: $135 Lower Berth: $140	Moderate Upper Berth: $83 Middle Berth: $87 Lower Berth: $90	Cheapest Hard Seat $41
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

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

Lhasa to Xi’an Train Ticket

It is much more convenient to book an outbound ticket from Lhasa to Xi'an than an inbound ticket. If you want to experience the wonders of engineering but can't book an inbound ticket, then an outbound train ticket is a good choice. The following questions may help you.

1. How to Book Lhasa to Xi’an Train Ticket?

There are three options for booking train tickets from Lhasa to Xi’an:

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 Xi'an 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 Xi’an train ticket?

How to get the train ticket depends on how you booked it. Browse the following content to find the method that suits you to get the train ticket.

If you booked the ticket on the official website of China Railway, you can get an e-ticket. You only need the e-ticket, passport and visa to board the train at Lhasa Railway Station.

If you booked the 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 Chinese Visa.

Please note that it is not necessary to hold a paper ticket to take the train in China at present.

3. How to read Lhasa to Xi’an train ticket?

拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
西安站: Xi'an 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 Xi'an Train Ticket

Lhasa to Xi'an Train Trip

If it is your first time to take the Tibet train, the following questions may help you have 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 Xi’an train?

To take the Tibet train from Lhasa to Xi'an, you need to carry a valid passport and Chinese Visa.

3. How to board the train from Lhasa to Xi’an?

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 Xi’an train tour?

The best time to travel by train from Lhasa to Xi'an is from April to October. April, May, June and September are ideal times to travel to Tibet, with pleasant weather, clear skies and fewer crowds than during the peak summer season. July and August are the peak tourist seasons, with warm weather and colorful festivals. October is cooler and the autumn scenery is charming. 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 Xi’an train journey?

As soon as the train leaves Lhasa, the first thing that comes into view is the Yangbajing geothermal area, where steam rises from the ground, as if you are on another planet. Then, the train will cross the Tanggula Pass, climb to the world's highest railway peak at an altitude of 5,072 meters, and cross a permafrost bridge.

Then, the train will pass through the vast Qiangtang Grassland, where yaks, Tibetan antelopes, and herders' tents can be seen everywhere, making the world seem so vast and peaceful. As the train continues to travel west, the awe-inspiring Yuzhu Peak will come into view.

When approaching the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes, wild camels, and snow leopards often appear by the bridge. The Lhasa to Xi’an train scenery along the way forms a sharp contrast, presenting you with a dynamic visual feast.

6. How about Lhasa to Xi’an train facilities?

Like other Qinghai-Tibet trains, the Lhasa to Xi'an train is also equipped with public toilets, air conditioning, pressurization system, two oxygen supply systems, altitude display and other facilities.

In addition to the three carriages mentioned above, the train also provides catering services. You can enjoy formal meals and drinks in the dining car in the middle of the train, and professional chefs will prepare traditional Chinese food for you. The food trolley will shuttle between the carriages from time to time to provide snacks. You can also enjoy free hot water from the water heater next to the sink. As the journey is as long as 33 hours, it is recommended that you buy some food before boarding, such as snacks, fruits, bread or instant noodles.

7. What should I do if I miss my train?

If you miss the train, you can go to the ticket window of the train station to inquire whether you can change or refund your ticket. However, you need to pay a certain handling fee. There are only two trains from Lhasa to Xi'an every day, so it is recommended that you plan your time in advance to avoid missing the train.

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8. How to get to Xi’an City from Xi’an Railway Station?

After exiting Xi'an Railway Station, walk about 200 meters to the underground subway line 4 "Xi'an Station". Take 6 stations (10-15 minutes) to reach the city center or transfer to other subway lines. You can also choose online car-hailing, taxis, etc.

9. Can I go to Shanghai with a Z166 train ticket from Lhasa to Xi'an?

There are three ways to change from Xi'an to Shanghai:

If you want to change your destination to Shanghai before or on the day of Z166 departure, you can go through the "changing destination" or "re‑signing" procedures on the 12306 website, mobile APP or the ticket office of the railway station without returning the original ticket and buying another one. However, please note that you will need to pay the change fare if you change to a train after that day.

If you have already boarded the Z166 train, you can contact the crew to apply for a ticket to Shanghai. You need to pay the ticket price and the handling fee. The prerequisite is that there are remaining tickets to Shanghai.

If there are no remaining tickets, you can only get off at Xi'an Station and buy a new train ticket or plane ticket to Shanghai.