Lhasa Train Schedule and Prices

So far, Tibet is served by three major railways: the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the Lhasa–Shigatse Railway, and the Lhasa–Nyingchi Railway.

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway, opened in 2006, connects Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. As the first railway to Tibet, it holds great significance for both tourism and regional development, offering travelers a scenic and unforgettable journey across the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.

The Lhasa–Shigatse Railway, launched in 2014, is an extension of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, linking Lhasa Station to Shigatse Station—Tibet’s second-largest city and home to Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Most recently, the Lhasa–Nyingchi Railway, inaugurated in June 2021, is the first electrified railway in Tibet. This line connects Lhasa to Nyingchi, located in eastern Tibet, significantly reducing travel time and offering access to some of Tibet’s most lush and picturesque landscapes. It also marks the first time that high-speed trains are operating within the region.

Currently, direct Tibet trains run frequently from major mainland Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Xining to Lhasa. These routes provide convenient access to Tibet via the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Below is the latest timetable and ticket price reference as of January 1, 2025, to help you plan your train journey to Lhasa. For your convenience, we’ve also included the train schedules for the Lhasa–Shigatse and Lhasa–Nyingchi routes, which are ideal for exploring deeper into Tibet.

Booking Tips:
The official China Railway website is only available in Chinese. For international travelers, we recommend using Trip.com for up-to-date schedules and to book your Tibet train tickets online.

Timetable for the trains to Lhasa

Timetable for the trains from Lhasa

Timetable for the trains between Lhasa and Shigatse

Timetable for the trains between Lhasa and Nyingchi

If you’re planning to experience the iconic Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which links major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xining with Lhasa, you’ll find three classes of train tickets available: soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, and hard-seat.

Ticket prices vary depending on the class and berth location. The fares listed in our table below reflect the lowest-priced upper berth in each sleeper category. Please note that actual ticket costs may be higher than the official prices, particularly during busy travel periods like summer holidays and Golden Week, when you may need to purchase through ticket dealers or agents.

Tibet Train Ticket Booking Guidelines: Train tickets can currently be booked 15 days in advance, either online (using your valid passport) or in person at any train station across China. If you’re booking a ticket to Lhasa, foreign travelers are required to present a Tibet Travel Permit at the ticket window.

High Demand During Peak Season (June to Early October)
During the peak travel season, Tibet train tickets—especially soft sleepers—are in extremely high demand and tend to sell out quickly. If you’re unable to book tickets directly online, we recommend checking with your Tibet tour travel agency like WindhorseTour. We can assist in securing train tickets through trusted ticket agents. Please note this may involve a service fee of 300–500 CNY per ticket, depending on availability and timing.

To improve your chances of getting the preferred class of ticket, we strongly advise booking at least 30 days in advance when planning travel during the busy season.

🔔 Important Note: WindhorseTour does not add any markup to the official ticket price. We do not provide ticket-only services—train bookings are available only as part of our complete Tibet tour packages.

Train tickets price details

One-way ticket prices based on official rates (upper berth for sleeper classes):

• To board trains bound for Tibet, both your original passport and a color-printed copy of your Tibet Permits are required. Your Tibet tour agency will typically email you the permit in advance so you can print it before your trip.
• All train carriages are equipped with an oxygen supply system to help maintain comfortable cabin pressure levels at high altitudes. However, please note that taking the train does not prevent altitude sickness—symptoms can still occur upon arrival in Lhasa due to the significant elevation.
• Upon arrival in Lhasa, it’s highly recommended to rest and take it easy on your first day to allow your body time to acclimate to the high-altitude. Many travelers also avoid showering on the first night to prevent catching a chill or worsening symptoms.
• Train berths are assigned automatically at the time of booking, so there is a chance that you and your travel companions may be placed in different compartments. If you’re traveling as a group, your tour agency can request berths together during the booking process, but seating arrangements are not guaranteed due to the limited availability—especially during peak seasons.
• You will be picked up at Lhasa train station by your Tibetan guide. It takes 25 minutes from Lhasa train station to downtown Lhasa by car.