Lanzhou to Lhasa Train

The Lanzhou to Lhasa train covers a distance of 2,188 km, departs Lanzhou Railway Station, and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station takes around 23 hours. There is no direct train from Lanzhou to Lhasa at present. However, 5 trains originating from other cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing) will stop at Lanzhou Railway Station. Since trains from Chengdu and Chongqing depart every other day, there are 4 trains departing from Lanzhou to the holy city of Lhasa every day. These trains will stop in Lanzhou for 12-27 minutes. You can choose one of these to board the train to Lhasa from Lanzhou.

Lanzhou is the capital city of Gansu Province in northwest China and used to be a very important point on the ancient Silk Road. Sitting astride the Yellow River, Lanzhou gives rise to the fertile lands on either side, making the area rich in fruit crops. It is an excellent gateway to Tibet. Therefore, there are large quantities of tourists choosing trains from Lanzhou travel to Tibet. The Lanzhou to Lhasa train is the second shortest train journey to Tibet. Traveling to Tibet by train from Lanzhou, you will view the stunning landscape along the Qinghai Tibet Railway. In addition, you can have a good rest to adapt to the high altitude.

Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule & Price（2024）

There are 5 trains from Lanzhou to Lhasa, departing from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. However, the trains departing from Chengdu and Chongqing depart every other day. Therefore, 4 trains are stopping at Golmud every day, with a stay time of 12-27 minutes. In addition, there are three ticket prices: hard seat ¥240, hard sleeper ¥522, and soft sleeper ¥823.

*Note:The actual arrival and departure time of train, please refer to the information on your ticket, or consult your travel consultant.

About ticket price:

The ticket prices above are the net price. In reality, as traveling in Tibet is so popular that the actual ticket demand far exceeds the supply, in-bound and out-bound tourists have to pay more than the net price to buy tickets. The actual price is subject to the market fluctuation. In some cases, the actual price could be double than the net price. Despite the uncertainty and difficulty in purchasing train tickets, Travel Tibet China would manage to book tickets at a reasonable price ( usually 20 percent lower than the market price) and promise to offer free service for it. If tourists only want to buy train tickets via Travel Tibet China without intending to travel to Tibet, Travel Tibet China will have to charge a small amount of service fee.

How to Book and Get Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Tickets?

To be able to board the Lanzhou to Lhasa train, foreign tourists have to show passports, Tibet Travel Permits, and train tickets to the train inspector. However, International travelers can’t enter in Tibet as backpackers and need the help of travel agency to apply for Tibet Travel Permit in advance. You do not need the permit to book the tickets but you do need it to collect the ticket and board the train.

1. How to Book Tibet Train Ticket?

Book train ticket with us (highly recommended)

To individual tourists, the best solution is to contact a reliable travel agency and book the Lanzhou to Lhasa train ticket at least one month in advance. Traveltibetchina.com can provide such timely tickets booking service, and also offer “Train Ticket + Tibet Tour” packages. Send a detailed booking inquiry to us.

Book at 12306.cn or buy ticket at train station

Neither method is convenient for international travelers. The 12306.cn has no English version and the online payment is limited to a bank account in mainland China. The staff at the train station can’t speak English. In addition, during the peak season and even the off-season of Tibet tourism, it is difficult for foreign tourists to book train tickets because they get sold out very quickly.

2. How to Get the Tibet Train Ticket?

In China, you need the paper train tickets to get into your train. If you book train tickets with us, you have two ways to get your paper tickets:
1. We deliver the paper tickets to your hotel or address in China (Recommended)
2. Collect them at the railway station

If you choose the delivery service, it is advisable to inform us 4 business days before departure. If you choose to collect them at the railway station, make sure to bring the confirmation number of train tickets, your Tibet Travel Permit as well as your valid and original passport. The confirmation number will be sent to you along with related train information once the tickets are confirmed, present it and the mentioned documents to the staff behind ticket windows to get paper tickets for free.

FAQ of Lanzhou to Lhasa Train

Where to recharge your mobile phones and electronic devices?

The powerplugfor chargers are located in the corridors OR under your table inthe cabin with the 4 soft sleepers (in between the 2 lower bunks).

Can touristshave shower in the train?

Unfortunately, there is no shower room in the train.Dobring some wet wipesin stores anda smalltowel, and small but equally important thing:toilet/tissue paper.

Is it possible to swap ticket with other people to stay with friends or family inthe same cabin?

Yes. It is acceptable.You may ask conductor to swaptickets with other passengers to stay with your family or friends.

Is smoking allowed in the cabin?

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the trainas thetrain is tightly sealed and pressurized and oxygen is pumped into the carriagewhen the train ascends to extreme altitude. It would be devastating if thetrain caught fire.

Is it necessary to carry Tibet Travel Permit all the time?

Make sure you have your passport, Tibet Travel Permit andticket with youas you could be checked many times during the longjourney.

It is advisable to havemany copies of Tibet Travel Permit.

How can we minimize the effect of altitude sickness?

The effect of altitude sickness onpassengers varies. Yet, to minimize or ease the impact of altitude sickness,one mayprepare somealtitude sickness tabletsbefore boarding the train and take some whenthe train climbs to plateau. There is no need to worry too much thealtitude sickness, the train is built withoxygen suppley system. It is easy to use.