Tibet Train Tours

All trains to Tibet, whether you depart from Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Shanghai, or Chongqing, pass through Xining, the gateway city where the Qinghai–Tibet Railway begins and the high-altitude journey to Lhasa officially starts.

For most travelers, the Xining to Lhasa route (about 20 hours) is the best choice. It’s shorter, more comfortable, and covers the entire scenic Qinghai–Tibet Railway, however make sure you get the evening train so you can see most part of the highlights in the daytime. Many travelers choose to spend one or two days in Xining (elevation: about 2,275 m) before boarding the train, allowing time to start acclimatizing to the higher altitude while exploring nearby attractions such as Qinghai Lake or Kumbum Monastery.

If you prefer a longer scenic journey, the Beijing to Lhasa (around 40 hours) or Chengdu to Lhasa (around 34.5 hours) trains offer an unforgettable cross-China experience with breathtaking plateau views.

Yes. Traveling to Tibet by train allows your body to adjust more gradually to high altitude than flying directly to Lhasa (3,650 m). The Qinghai–Tibet Railway is equipped with oxygen-enrichment systems, a central supply for each carriage and individual outlets at seats and berths. Oxygen begins diffusing automatically after Golmud (2,800 m) as the train climbs toward the plateau. While this helps reduce discomfort, altitude sickness can still occur, so proper rest and hydration are recommended.

There are three classes on all Tibet trains: Soft Sleeper (4-bed cabin, comfortable and private, best for international travelers), Hard Sleeper (6-bed cabin, basic but good value), and Hard Seat (budget option, not recommended for long routes).
For comfort and privacy, most travelers choose the Soft Sleeper. WindhorseTour can help arrange soft-sleeper tickets to Tibet if you confirm your booking 20 days in advance.

Tibet train tickets are released 15 days before departure and often sell out quickly, especially soft-sleeper tickets during the busy season from May to October. To secure your preferred route and seats, it’s best to book early through your Tibet travel agency.

At WindhorseTour, we arrange Tibet train tickets only for travelers who have booked their Tibet tour with us, and we require at least 20 days’ notice to guarantee availability.

Foreign travelers must have a Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau before boarding the train. This permit can only be arranged through a licensed local Tibetan travel agency, which will also organize your Tibet tour.
A scanned color copy of the permit is generally sufficient to board trains from cities such as Xining, Chengdu, Beijing, or Shanghai, while the original permit will be checked again upon arrival in Lhasa.

WindhorseTour, as a licensed Tibetan tour operator, handles all permit applications and ensures you receive the required travel documents before your trip begins.

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway from Xining to Lhasa is one of the world’s highest and most spectacular train journeys, crossing the vast Tibetan Plateau at over 4,000 meters. Along the route, you’ll see the turquoise waters of Qinghai Lake, the majestic Kunlun Mountains, and the untouched wilderness of the Kekexili (Hoh Xil) Nature Reserve, home to Tibetan antelope and wild yaks. The train also passes Tuotuo river and the snow-covered Tanggula Pass (5,072 m), the highest point of the entire journey, before descending through northern Tibet’s vast grasslands and alpine wetlands in Nagqu.

The best time to ride the Tibet train is April to October, when skies are clear and the landscapes are at their most colorful. June to September brings lush scenery and peak travel season, while winter (November to February) offers fewer crowds and crystal-clear mountain views.