Should I Choose Soft Sleeper or Hard Sleeper?

There are three kinds of accommodations available on Xian-Lhasa train: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. Hard seat is not recommended given the long ride and nothing is more important than having a sound sleep.

The difference between soft sleeper and hard sleeper

If it is your first time taking a train to Lhasa from Xian, it is important to figure out the difference between the classes and make the best choice for your train journey.

The differences between soft and hard sleepers are mainly based on the following aspects.

Berth Quantity and Size:
Soft sleeper: 4 berth/ compartment, 75cm*190cm
Hard sleeper: 6 berth/compartment, 60cm*180cm

Compartment Door:
Soft sleeper: 4 berths and a sliding lockable door in each compartment to provide more privacy and security
Hard sleeper: 6 berth in each compartment without a door

Toilets:
Soft sleeper: one Western-style toilet and one squat toilet at the end of each carriage
Hard sleeper: two squat toilets at the end of each carriage

Ticket Price:
Soft sleeper: from 969.5 RMB
Hard sleeper: from 611.5 RMB

How to choose the best Ticket class?

The soft sleeper is the most comfortable one on the Tibet train. It promises more privacy and comfort with a sliding lockable door, which is highly recommended. It is especially suitable for those who travel with families or friends. While the price is accordingly much expensive.

The hard sleeper is more affordable and easier to get. There are more hard sleeper berths available on a Tibet train, compared to the soft sleeper. While the cabin of a hard sleeper has no independent door to close when tourists want to sleep.

Soft sleeper is more spacious than the hard one

What if your preferred Tickets get sold out?

The train from Xian to Lhasa is quite popular among tourists. It is very difficult (especially during the peak season of Tibet travel, e.g. May - October) for one to successfully purchase a train ticket.

If you finally failed to get the ticket you prefer, don’t be disappointed, you can try the following alternative plans:

Option 1: Choose another Ticket class on the same train. E.g. if you miss the ticket of soft sleeper, you can change to book a hard sleeper ticket on Xian-Tibet train.

Option 2: Take a train or plane to Xining first and then take Xining-Lhasa train to Lhasa. As all the trains bound for Tibet will pass Xining Railway Station, which makes it easier for tourists to buy train tickets.

How to book and get Tibet train ticket?

Trains from Xian to Lhasa departs several times a day, so before booking the train ticket, you first need to check the schedule to select your ticket to go.

Xian to Lhasa Train Schedule in 2024

Lhasa to Xian Train Schedule in 2024

Notice:
1.The above schedule is for reference only. Please contact us for the latest schedule if you need to book a Guangzhou Lhasa train ticket.
2. For the Departure and Arrival column, “Xian” refers to Xian Railway Station, while “Xian South” refers to Xian South Railway Station. The two are different train stations in Xian.
3. Train Z916 and Z917 is the same train. The train initially departs from Xian South Railway Station, and then will stop at Xian Railway Station. Passengers can buy train ticket from any of the two stations.

Book Tibet Train Ticket with Us is the Most Hassle Free Way

The most reliable way to book train tickets to Tibet is through a trustworthy travel agency. So it is highly recommended to contact us and book your Xian-Lhasa train ticket through our hands. With partnership with railway stations nationwide for years, we have more opportunities to get the train ticket.

Also, we provide “Train ticket + Tibet tour” packages. Not only can we book your ticket but help you successfully get Tibet Travel Permit together with offering a customized Tibet travel itinerary.

Since we handle your Tibet travel permit processing and Tibet train ticket reservation together, we can respond in time to adjust your travel plan in case of any unexpected situation, such as delayed insurance of Tibet permit or sold-out tickets. We always have plan B to make you fulfill your dream to Tibet.

Notice: You can also book on yourself through the official website 12306.cn, which is currently available in Chinese and English. Make sure you are registered as a member and have the appropriate Chinese online payment method (Alipay, Wechat, etc.)

Get Your Xian Lhasa Train Ticket with Tibet Permit

If you book train tickets with us, you can choose the delivery service. We will deliver the paper tickets to your hotel or address in China. It is advisable to inform us 4 business days before departure.

Besides, you can also choose to collect your train tickets 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.

Considering the long queues in front of the ticket window, it is advisable to arrive at the train station at least 2 hours before departure if you collect tickets on the same day.

Notice:
Once getting your train ticket, please read the ticket and double-check Your Name and Passport No. on it. If the name and passport number are not matched with your passport and Tibet Permit, you may not be allowed to board the train.

Here are some useful phrases you may need to read Z265 Xian to Lhasa Train ticket:

西安站: Xian Railway Station
拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
xx年xx月xx日: xx Year xx Month xx Date
xx车xx号: xx Carriage xx Berth
上/ 中/ 下铺: Upper/ Middle/ Lower Berth

Information guide on Xian to Tibet Train Ticket

6 Steps to Get On your Train to Tibet

1. Get to the right station in advance

There are several railway stations in Xian city, and both Xian Railway Station and Xian South Railway Station operate the trains to Tibet. So you need to find the right station.

Xian Railway Station, serving the Train Z265, Z165 and Z917, is located 10km from downtown. You can take the Metro Line 1 to get there. Besides, Bus No. 6, No. 46, No. 41, No.611 etc. will also stop at the station.

Xian South Railway Station, operating the Train Z916, is the newly opened station in the city. It is about 43 kilometers away from Xian Railway Station. You can take a taxi to the train station from downtown.

It is suggested that you arrive at the train station at least 1.5 hours in advance, as there is a queue to go through the security check, ticket inspection, etc.

2. Check at the entrance

At the entrance, you need to show your passport, Tibet train ticket, and Tibet Travel Permit. The automatic gates at the entrance of the railway station can only recognize Chinese ID cards. You need to bring your passport, Tibet Travel Permit, and the train ticket to get through the manual entrance check.

It is recommended to prepare your documents in advance or keep them in a small bag that you can easily access with you.

3. Go through security check

After getting though the entrance of the station building, line up for the security check to enter into waiting hall.

You need to put all your luggage such as backpacks, carry-on bags on the security scanner conveyor belt, and walk through a detector gate and wait for staff to use a scanner on you to check forbidden articles.

4. Find the right waiting room

Once enter into the waiting hall of Xian Railway Station or Xian South Railway Station, you can find an LED screen showing Train Number (车次), Terminal (终到站), Departing Time (开点) and Waiting Room (候车室). Get your waiting room information and wait for check-in there. Train number is well marked in the correct waiting room.

5. Check in to get to the platform

Usually check-in starts 15-30 minutes before departure and barriers close 5 minutes before departure. After check-in, you can find Led screen telling your platform (站台) and direction of your carriage (车厢).

Please be careful with your luggage when going up and down the stairs. If you are traveling with children, please also take care of your children.

6. Find your train and seat

Following the instruction to find your carriage. The staff waiting at the carriage gate will check your ticket again to make sure you board the right carriage of the right train.

After getting on the train, you can find your berth according to your ticket. Put your baggage on the rack overhead or under the lower berth.

Your sleeper ticket will be exchanged for a plastic berth card by staff shortly after boarding. Staff will return your ticket and get back the berth card about half an hour before arriving at your destination.

Xian Railway Station

Tips for Getting on board the Xian Lhasa Train

1. Make sure you have your passport, Tibet Travel Permit and ticket with you as you could be checked many times during the long journey. It is also advisable to have many copies of Tibet Travel Permit.

2. It is possible to swap ticket with other people to stay with friends or family in the same cabin. You may ask conductor to swap tickets with other passengers to stay with your family or friends. Do remember your cabin and seat No.

3. If you need pick-up service after arrive in Lhasa, tell your Travel consultant. As requested, our guide will greet you and bring you to your hotel in Lhasa.

Life onboard

Having a ride on Qinghai-Tibet train like Xian-Lhasa route is definitely the experience of a lifetime. Besides, the long distance and pressurized train tailor-made for acclimatization of extreme altitude make the ride different from other train journey.

So how about the life onboard the train? What things to do to kill time onboard? Here we will show you the real life on Xian-Lhasa train.

Dinning and Drinking

You can get 3 meals and drinks from the dining carriage located in the middle of the train. Usually only Chinese food is available and it costs about 20 CNY/meal and accepts cash payment, Wechat payment and Alipay.

The trolleys loaded with food are served in each compartment sporadically. You can buy from the staff of train. Besides, you can get free boiled water from hot water dispenser near the sinks.

Before departure, do bring enough food. It could be snacks, fruit and instant noodles wrapped in bowls. Sharing snack with roommates is the easiest way to break the silence.

Dozens of tourists are having dinner in the dinning car.

Oxygen Supply

Oxygen Supply System Onboard

Altitude sickness is the biggest concern for travelling to Tibet. However, there is no need to be panic about altitude sickness.

To better adapt to high altitude, Xian-Lhasa Train is tightly sealed and pressurized like an airplane.

There are two sets of oxygen supply on the train: the dispersion-mode oxygen supply system operated by the train staff and the distribution-mode oxygen supply that can be connected to individual passenger.

As the train ascends to Golmud, the oxygen is automatically pumped into the train. You can also manually use the oxygen outlet to minimize altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea,etc. It is advisable to bring altitude sickness medicines to ease the discomfort.

Note: smoking is not allowed onboard.

An illustration of how to use oxygen outlet on Qinghai-Tibet train

Altitude changes along Xian Lhasa Railway

Xian lies at 405 meters above sea level. The altitude change between Xian (405m) and Lanzhou (1600m) will not cause discomfort to passengers.

After Lanzhou, the altitude climbs slowly and reaches 2,275 meters at Xining. Xining is the first station where altitude sickness is likely to occur for a few passengers.

The altitude begins to ascend and reaches 2,829 meters when arriving at Golmud. And the altitude increases sharply by more than 1,000 meters in less than 100 kilometers, causing altitude sickness for some passengers.

When arriving at the world’ s highest railway pass, the Tanggula Pass (5,072m), most tourists will suffer from altitude sickness. Then, the altitude drops slowly as you travel south through Nagqu and finally reaches 3,650 meters in Lhasa.

This graph gives you a rough idea of how altitude changes along Xian-Lhasa railway line

Toilets on board

Toilets are located at the end of each carriage, adjacent to the washbasin, dustbin and hot water dispenser. The soft sleeper carriage has one western-style toilet and one squat style toilet, while hard sleeper carriage only has two squat style toilets.

The toilets will be locked when the train stops. Avoid to use them when the train is about to stop for arriving at a station. The red sign on the toilet door means the toilet is occupied while the green sign means not occupied.

Unfortunately, there is no shower room in the train. Do bring some wet wipes in stores and a small towel. And small but equally important thing is to bring enough toilet/tissue paper.

Views along Xian Lhasa Railway

The views along the Xian-Lhasa Railway varies according to the train you take. During the ride, you may have chance to enjoy the resplendent scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway such as the boundless Nagqu Prairie, the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountains, Yangpachen, the grazing sheep and yaks.

The natives believe Qinghai Lake is a miracle bestowed by a deity.

Rainbow in Kekexili Natural Reserve

The snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountains streching on the high plateau

More Things to do without WiFi onboard

Since you will stay more than one day on the Xian-Lhasa train, it’s essential to find some things to kill the time onboard.

One good choice is to watch movies or videos on your phone, iPad or laptop. It is suggested to download the movies on your equipment in advance.

Also, you can read a book to kill the time, or listen to music while appreciating the window scenery. If you travel alone, you can also chat with other passengers on your same cabin or carriage.

Notice:
It is suggested to bring your own power bank, although there are power plugs for chargers located in the corridors or under your table in the cabin.