Xining-Lhasa Train Travel Guide: Tickets Booking & Tips

Xining-Lhasa Train starts from the capital city of Qinghai province, Xining to Lhasa, bearing the nearest distance to Lhasa among other trains. After a few hours’ rest, you will start your fabulous train journey to have a panoramic view of the scenes along the vast west plateau through the train windows. But, what are the things to know before we plan a Xining-Lhasa train tour?

Xining is a significant station to the whole Qinghai-Tibet Railway and also to the all trains heading to Lhasa—it is the starting point of world-famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the must-pass stop for all trains to Lhasa. The trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Lanzhou to pass Xining or starting from Xining allows 5 trains each day for your choice, so there is more space for you to decide the best route to travel to Tibet.

1. Introduction for the Trains Linking Xining and Lhasa

2. Xining-Lhasa Trains Ticket Price

√Recommended Xining to Lhasa Train tours:

• 7 Days Xining and Lhasa Tour by Qinghai Tibet Railway
• 11 Days Xining Lhasa Shigatse Tingri EBC Tour
• 7 Days Xining-Tibet Adventure Tour by Overnight Train
• 6 Days Classic Xining and Lhasa Tour by Train

3. What Will Concern You If You Plan Traveling to Lhasa from Xinning by train?

The Seats on the Xining-Lhasa Train

On the train to Lhasa, there are three different types of seats: hard seats, hard sleepers, and soft sleepers. Hard sleepers with prolonged work on board are not advised in case they cause more severe altitude stress, as the Tibet excursion requires good physical condition. Hard and soft sleepers consider the following advantages and disadvantages, which helps travellers make decisions regarding their individual transportation needs.

– Hard sleeper

1. Less expensive; it’s easier to make friends with other travellers to spend the time on board.
2. 6 In an open coach with no door, there are fewer berths; the room and berth space are less; there is less privacy and safety for personal goods.

– Soft sleeper

1. 4berths in a carriage with open to confirm private space relatively; more opulent, comfortable, and quiet; more space for each passenger; reduced danger for property safety
2. A lot more expensive

For all of the aforementioned benefits, Xining-Lhasa Train Tours’ soft sleepers are highly recommended. We propose this since Tibet is situated on the world’s highest plateau and has thinner oxygen. Ordinary people who live in plains or areas with comparatively lower elevations must become adjusted to comfortable sleeping and physical circumstances as soon as they board the train. After all, our fundamental tenet is that safety should always come first when travelling.

The Equipment and Food on the Xining-Lhasa train

• The trains have all the latest, practical amenities, including English, Tibetan, and Chinese.
• Although the majority of the infrastructure is provided in English, foreigners may encounter difficulties ordering meals or similar items when the serving staff speaks English. Therefore, it is advised that you download a translation program, which will be very beneficial.
• Oxygen supplement outlets and charging devices are fitted in every carriage.
• You are advised to bring your own food and fruit, such apples, chocolates, gammon sausage and instant noodles. The dining car undoubtedly provides its patrons with the standard Chinese fare as well as a few snacks and fruits.

What Advantages Xining-Lhasa Trains Have?

Xining is the most important station for trains to Lhasa from inland, corresponding to its significant position, there are outstanding preponderance of Xining-Lhasa trains.

• Greatly cut down the time spending on the train—from 40 hours of Beijing-Lhasa or Shanghai-Lhasa to about 20 hours. Although the facilities and equipment on the train are modern and convenient, the long-time staying in a limited space is not comfortable.
• More different trains give travelers more choices to decide a best train to match their plans.
• Xining-Lhasa trains satisfy traveler as much as possible wonderful views along Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
• Xining-Lhasa train is the ideal alternative plan for people from eastern, middle and southern cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, to avoid too much time and toil on aboard.

√Read more for Tibet train travel:

• Beijing-Lhasa Train travel guide
• Chongqing-Lhasa Train Travel Guide
• Lanzhou-Lhasa Train Travel Guide
• Guangzhou-Lhasa Train Travel Guide
• Chengdu-Lhasa Train Travel Guide
• Shanghai-Lhasa Train Travel Guide

Alternative Plans for Direct Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou-Lhasa trains

As the obvious flaws of direct Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou trains bearing, such as difficulty to buy the tickets, over 40 hours spending on aboard and missing some highlights along the Railway, Xining-Lhasa Trains always playing an important suppletive role in Tibet travel.

1. Take plan from the starting city to Xining first, and you could decide whether stay a few days or not here according to your time and budget conditions, and then take Xining-Lhasa Train to Tibet. It is the is the optimal as it could avoid as more as possible risk and shortage of direct Beijing-Lhasa Train Tours with a not-bad cost.
2. Take train from starting city to Xining first and then take Xining-Lhasa train to your destination. You could have a short layover in Xining to free yourself from the toil on aboard in a certain degree. It will help relieve the shortage of direct tickets for Beijing-Lhasa train, Shanghai-Lhasa train and Guangzhou-Lhasa train.

Popular Tibet Tours:

• 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Tour
• 11 Days Tibet and Silk Road Tour by Train from Xian