Currently, Tibet train tickets can be booked through the official website or a local travel agency. However, using a Chinese website and the local payment system can be challenging for newcomers to China. Moreover, as Tibet train tickets are often sold out quickly, especially in peak seasons, it can be very difficult for you to book a train ticket to Tibet on your own.

So, how to book a Tibet train ticket successfully? In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on Tibet train ticket booking and help you realize your dream of traveling to Tibet by train.

How to book a Tibet train ticket? Can I book by myself?

With your valid passport, you can easily book a Tibet train ticket online through the official website (12306.cn) or a local travel agency. Because of the real-name ticking policy, please make sure the ID you used to purchase the ticket is the same as the passport you used for boarding the train to Tibet.

Since the demand is large and the train tickets to Tibet are limited, it is impossible to book a Tibet train ticket by yourself, especially when you request a soft sleeping berth or a ticket in peak season. Hence, it is wise to book your Tibet train ticket through a local travel agency, which can also arrange a trip to Tibet for you.

At Tibet Vista, we have helped thousands of overseas customers fulfill their dream trips to Tibet with a Qinghai-Tibet Railway experience. You just need to book your trip with us and provide copies of your Chinese visa and passport. We will book the train ticket and apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf, ensuring you get the permit and train ticket in time for your train to Tibet.

9 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour with Tibet Train Experience

Tour Route: Train from Xining - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Take the most popular trip to Everest Base Camp in Tibet with a lifetime Tibet train experience.

What is the cost of a ticket? Any discount for children?

The train ticket to Tibet has three classes, including the hard-sleeper, the soft-sleeper, and the hard seat. Generally, the hard seat is the cheapest option. It is not recommended for long-distance journeys to Tibet, as it is quite uncomfortable to seating in the hard seat for a long time.

The hard-sleeper onboard the train to Tibet is the most common option. In each hard sleeper compartment, there are six berths in a cabin, from above to the top is the lower berth, the middle berth, and the upper berth. The lower berth is the most expensive one, while the upper berth is the cheapest.

The soft-sleeper on Tibet trains is the most expensive option. There are four berths (two lower berths and two upper berths) in one cabin with a cabin door that can be closed. It offers more space and privacy on board.

The soft sleeper cabin is the most comfortable, but also the most expensive ticket onboard Tibet trains.

If your child will take a berth on board, no matter how old the kid is, you need to pay for a full-price ticket. For babies who sleep with their parents, a discounted ticket may be available. Please contact us for more details.

The Tibet train ticket prices vary depending on the distance of the different railway lines to Tibet. The longer the journey is, the more expensive the ticket price is. Therefore, the Xining to Lhasa train is the cheapest train to Tibet.

The Latest Tibet Train Fares in 2025 (from Low to High)

Notice: The prices above are for reference only. In peak season, the tickets for popular routes may be more expensive due to the limited number of tickets and high demand.

11 Days Chengdu to Tibet Everest Base Camp Group Tour by Train and back to Chengdu by Flight

Tour Route: Chengdu - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa - Chengdu

Price from USD1790 p.p

Join our Chengdu-Tibet small group tour by train, with a guaranteed Tibet train ticket.

How far should I book a Tibet train ticket in advance?

Generally, the official pre-sale period for Tibet train tickets is 15 days (including the day of ticket purchase). This means you can purchase train tickets to Tibet within 15 days through the official website.

However, in peak season (July, August, and early October), it is difficult for individuals to buy Tibet train tickets due to the tight supply of train tickets.

The most convenient and reliable option is to book our Tibet train tours, which include guaranteed train tickets to Tibet. It is suggested to make your reservation at least 30 days in advance, and best to book your Tibet train tour 60 days in advance for peak season or popular routes.

12 Days Travel from Beijing to Kathmandu across Tibet Plateau, traversing the Beijing-Lhasa Train

Tour Route: Beijing - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD1795 p.p

This is a journey from Beijing to Kathmandu with a scenic train ride to Lhasa and stunning cultural and natural highlights.

Are train tickets guaranteed once booked with Tibet Vista?

Yes, we guarantee the train ticket to Tibet once you book your tour with us. As the largest local travel agency in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista, successfully book Tibet train tickets for thousands of tourists every year. If you book a Tibet tour with us and inquire about the train ticket to Tibet, we guarantee you the train ticket.

We have successfully arranged Tibet train tours for thousands of overseas tourists.

Are there low-season discounts available like Airlines?

Unfortunately, there are no low-season discounts for train tickets to Tibet. On the contrary, prices are higher during the peak season, especially for popular routes such as the Beijing to Lhasa train.

Since there is only one train to Tibet from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou per day, the supply of Tibet train tickets is limited. Many domestic travelers opt for the train tour during the summer holiday or the National Holiday in the first week of October, so the demand exceeds supply. As a result, the market price will rise accordingly, and you need to pay more to get the ticket you want.

16 Days Beijing Xian Tibet Everest and Kathmandu Small Group Tour: Exploring Wonders from the Oriental Kingdom’s Capital to best of Mount Everest

Tour Route: Beijing - Xi’an - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD2590 p.p

This small group tour from Beijing to Kathmandu via Lhasa and Everest includes a guaranteed Tibet train ticket and Travel Permit.

Can I reschedule or cancel my train ticket?

Once your Tibet train ticket is issued, it is unable to be canceled or rescheduled. You will suffer a complete loss of the train ticket and you have to give up the refunds. If you would like to make the change of the ticket, please check with your travel advisor if the ticket is available and if any additional cost occurs.

Notice: Policy subject to change, please refer to details with your trip advisor.

Should I book a Tibet train ticket together with a tour?

If you are looking for a hassle-free Tibet tour by train, don’t hesitate to book your Tibet tour along with your Tibet train ticket with us. We guarantee your Tibet train ticket, avoiding the risk of tickets selling out.

Also, we will handle all paperworks for you, secure a 100% guaranteed Tibet Travel Permit, as well as other local travel documents required in Tibet according to your itinerary. All you need to do is make sure you get a Chinese Visa in advance and provide copies of your passport and your Chinese Visa.

With a packaged tour, everything is arranged for you, from your Tibet train ticket booking, and itinerary arrangement, to Tibet Travel Permit application. You will save more time in planning and organizing every detail of your trip. Just feel free to tell us your Tibet travel plan, and we promise you seamless Tibet travel with a lifetime Tibet train experience.

18 Days Ultimate China and Tibet Tour, Starts in Beijing & Ends in Shanghai

Tour Route: Beijing - Xi’an - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Chongqing - Three Gorges - Yichang - Shanghai

Price from USD3368 p.p

Looking for a China Tibet tour with a Tibet train experience? This is your best choice!

More insider advice for a Tibet train tour

Recently, only Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Xining have trains to Tibet. You can choose the appropriate departure city according to your itinerary.

In case you can not get a Tibet train ticket, you can take a train from Lhasa instead. The train from Lhasa offers the same landscapes as the train to Tibet, and most trains from Lhasa offer the best scenery in the daytime.

You don’t need a paper ticket as the E-ticket is widely used in China nowadays. You can enter the railway station directly by scanning your passport. Also, the Tibet Travel Permit will be checked when boarding the train. Please keep all your travel documents safe.

Even the shortest train ride from Xining to Lhasa takes 23 hours, and other trains to Tibet require two nights onboard. It is recommended to bring some wet wipes as there is no shower onboard. There are only public sinks on the train to Tibet for basic washing.

The public basin area on the train to Tibet.

Conclusion

Nowadays, booking a Tibet train ticket is becoming more and more convenient. With your passport, you can book the ticket through the official website or a local travel agency. Since you need to show both your passport and the Tibet Travel Permit when boarding the train, the most convenient and worry-free way is to book your Tibet train ticket along with a Tibet tour with us.

As the best-known local travel operator in Tibet, we, at Tibet Vista, successfully purchase Tibet train tickets for thousands of overseas tourists every year and ensure they have smooth and satisfying trips to Tibet with the guaranteed Tibet Travel Permit. Once you book a Tibet train tour with us, our one-stop service will take care of every step for you. The earlier you book, the less trouble you will have!