Should I Choose Soft Sleeper or Hard Sleeper?

There are three kinds of accommodations available on the Xining-Lhasa train, including the soft sleeper, the hard sleeper, and the hard seat.

In order to have a good rest on the Tibet train to cope with the high altitude sickness, tourists usually choose hard sleepers or soft sleepers.

The Differences between a Soft Sleeper and a Hard Sleeper

If it is your first time taking a train to Lhasa, 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.

Ticket Price:
Soft sleeper: from 781 RMB
Hard sleeper: from 495 RMB

Numbers of Berths:
Soft sleeper: about 64 berths in total
Hard sleeper: about 528 berths in total

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

Compartment:
Soft sleeper: 4 berths and a sliding lockable door in each compartment to provide more privacy and security
Hard sleeper: 6 berths 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

Soft sleeper is more spacious than the hard one

How to choose the best Ticket class?

The soft sleeper is better for more privacy and quietness on board. If you travel with family or friends, it is better to take a whole cabin (with 4 berths) so that you can have your own room. Of cause, a better experience costs more money. The soft sleeper train ticket is the most expensive ticket for Tibet trains. Since there are only 64 soft sleeper tickets on each train to Tibet, they are also difficult to book in peak season.

Comparatively speaking, the hard sleeper is more affordable and easier to get. Each train to Tibet has at least 528 hard sleepers. However, the cheaper price means that the comfort will be a little less. You can’t get a private cabin in a hard sleeper car. Each semi-enclosed compartment has 6 berths.

How to Book and Get a Tibet Train Ticket?

Currently, all trains to Tibet will stop at Xining Station. This means you can buy tickets for any train to Lhasa from Xining.

In addition to trains to Tibet from other cities in China, Xining also has two trains that originally start from here.

When you plan to take a train from Xining to Lhasa, please check the train schedule in advance.

Xining to Lhasa Train Schedule 2024

Lhasa to Xining Train Schedule 2024

Notice:
The above schedule is for reference only. Please contact us for the latest schedule if you need to book a Xining Lhasa train ticket.

Is it 100% guaranteed to get a Xining Lhasa train Ticket?

Yes, you may have more chances to get a Tibet train ticket in Xining. However, the supply always does not satisfy the demands since taking a Tibet train is the most popular way to Tibet. Even there are extra seasonal trains from Xining to Lhasa during the peak season, it is still difficult to get a ticket during the summer holiday and the golden week of the Chinese National Holiday.

To get a guaranteed Xining to Lhasa train ticket, please note the following points:

Point 1: Book your Xining Lhasa Train ticket with us
As the reliable local travel agency cooperating with the ticket office, we have more opportunities to get the Tibet train ticket.

Also, we provide “Train ticket + Tibet tour” packages, which do not only include the train ticket to Tibet, but also the Tibet Travel Permit and a well-ranged Tibet tour.

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.

Point 2: Make your reservation as early as possible
If you decide to book the train ticket on your own through the official website 12306.cn, please notice that the pre-sale period for the Tibet train ticket is 15 days. Book your Xining to Lhasa train ticket as early as possible.

The official website 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 Xining Lhasa Train Ticket with Tibet Permit

If you book your Tibet train ticket with us, you can choose the delivery service. Once we get the paper ticket, we will deliver it to your hotel or address in China.

No matter you book it with us or by yourself, you can also collect the train ticket at Xining Railway Station. Before going to the ticket office, please make sure to bring the printed-out confirmation number of your train ticket, your Tibet travel permit as well as your valid and original passport.

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.

Some useful phrases you may need to read your Xining to Lhasa Train Ticket:

西宁站：Xining 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 Xining to Tibet Train Ticket

6 Steps to Get on your Train to Tibet

1. Get to the right station in advance

Xining Railway Station is the main railway station serving the city of Xining in Qinghai Province. It is the first station on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway which connects the city with Lhasa in Tibet.

Xining Railway Station is around 8 km from downtown and 27km from Xining Caojiabao International Airport. Even though there is no metro in Xining at present time, it is still convenient for you to arrive at Xining Railway Station by bus, taxi, or airport shuttle.

It is suggested that you arrive at Xining Railway Station at least 1 hour in advance, as there is a queue to go through the security check, ticket inspection, etc.

Xining Railway Station

Address of Xining Railway Station: No. 128 of Huzhu Road, Chengdong District, Xining

From Major Attractions to Xining Railway Station
If you visit the attractions in Xining downtown, it usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes to get to Xining Railway Station.

The famous Xining Dongguan Mosque is about 3 kilometers away from the railway station, which takes around 10 minutes by car.

Another popular attraction in Xining, the Kumbum Monastery (also known as Ta’er Monastery), is about 36 kilometers away from Xining Railway Station. It takes about 1 hour to get to the station by car.

If you want to get to Xining Railway Station after visiting Qinghai Lake, please leave enough time. It takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to drive from Qinghai Lake to Xining Railway Station. The total journey is about 160 kilometers.

From Xining Caojiabao International Airport to Xining Railway Station
Xining Caojiabao International Airport (XNN) is located about 30 kilometers east of downtown Xining and 27km from Xining Railway Station. You can take a taxi or airport shuttle bus to go there.

It takes around 35 minutes from the airport to Xining Railway Station.

You can also take the airport shuttle bus to get to the railway station directly from the airport. The whole ride takes around 1.5 hours. Check the shuttle bus information as below:

Airport Shuttle - Bayi Line:
Price: CNY 21.00/ person
Duration: 50 minutes
Frequency: Every hour

Notice:
Please make a reasonable arrangement to get to the railway station. It is recommended to arrive at the station about 1 hour earlier.

If you have any questions about the local transfer, please feel free to contact us. Our local travel consultants will give you professional and detailed guidance.

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.

3. Go through the security check and Healthy Code check

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

You should 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 Guangzhou 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 Z322 is well marked in the correct waiting room.

5. Check in to get to the Platform

Usually, the check-in starts 15 to 30 minutes before departure and barriers close 5 minutes before departure. After passing through the ticket gate, follow the LED screens to find your platform.

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

There are usually trains stopping on both sides of the platform. Please follow platform instructions to find your train.

The staff waiting at the carriage gate will check your ticket again to make sure you board the right carriage of the right train. You can also ask the staff for help if you have any questions.

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. The staff will return your train ticket and get back the berth card about half an hour before arriving at your destination.

Tips for Getting on board the Xining Lhasa Train

1. Carry your Tibet Travel Permit, your passport, and your train ticket with you as you could be checked many timed during the train journey. It is also advisable to have some copies of your Tibet Travel Permit in case you lose it.

2. It is possible to swap a ticket with other people to stay with friends or family in the same cabin. You may ask the conductor to swap tickets with other passengers to stay with your family or friends. Do remember your cabin and seat Number.

3. We offer a pick-up service in Lhasa. After you arrive at Lhasa Railway Station, our guide will greet you and bring you to your hotel in Lhasa.

Life onboard

In order to ensure that the trains run on the high plateau safely and passengers travel on-board comfortably, Xining to Lhasa Train is well-designed taking into account the conditions faced: high elevation, low temperature, lack of oxygen, harsh climate, etc. In a word, the trains to Tibet are pressurized like aircraft and are the best in China.

Oxygen Supply on Xining Lhasa Train

Oxygen Supply System
As a train to Tibet Plateau, it is important to ensure that passengers do not suffer from hypoxia and other altitude sicknesses on the train.

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

As the train ascends to Golmud, the oxygen is automatically pumped into the train. You can also use the oxygen outlet with a disposable pipe distributed by train staff. It may help to minimize altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, etc.

Notice: Smoking is not allowed onboard.

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

Altitude Changes along Xining Lhasa Railway
Xining to Lhasa Railway, measuring 1,956 km, starts from Xining (2,275m) to Lhasa (3,650m). This railway with the highest altitude around the world reaches its highest point at Tanggula Pass (5,072m) and the entire railway line is built over 4500m.

It is known that high altitude may trigger physical discomforts such as headache, dizziness, and other altitude sickness symptoms.

Yet, this specially-built train is equipped with an oxygen supply system that will automatically release oxygen into the carriage to minimize altitude sickness when reaches Golmud (2,829m).

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

Dining and Drinking

You can get 3 meals a day and drinks from the dining carriage located in the middle of the train.

Usually, only Chinese dishes are available onboard. It costs about 20 CNY per meal. You can pay by cash, Wechat, and Alipay.

There are also trolleys loaded with food served in each compartment sporadically. You can buy food and snacks from the staff onboard.

If all that Chinese food is not your taste, you can bring some instant noodles, as you can get free boiled water from a hot water dispenser near the sinks on board.

It is suggested to bring some snacks and fruits on board as a way to pass the time as the long ride begins. Sharing snacks with roommates is also the easiest way to break the silence.

Tourists are having dinner in the dining car onboard Xining Lhasa Train.

Toilets on board

Toilets onboard are located at the end of each carriage, adjacent to the washbasin, dustbin, and hot water dispenser. Each soft sleeper carriage has one western-style toilet and one squat-style toilet, while each hard sleeper carriage just has two squat-style toilets. The toilet on board will be locked when the train arrives and stops at a station.

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

Views along Xining Lhasa Railway

Xining Lhasa Railway, the genuine Qinghai-Tibet Railway, is praised as ‘the Road to Heaven’. Not only is the Qinghai-Tibet railway itself considered as a man-made wonder in the transportation field but also the stunning scenery along the rail offers a visual feast for tourists who are heading towards Tibet for travel.

Xining to Lhasa Railway Map

Major attractions are Qinghai Lake, Yuzhu Peak, Kekexili Nature Reserve, Tuotuo He River, Tangula pass, Tsonag Lake, etc. Be sure to capture the memorable experience with your camera.

Tips for Taking Photos on the Train to Tibet
When you enter the Tibetan region, it is not possible to get off the train and take pictures at most stations. Even if you can get off the train, you should be aware that the stopping time is usually very short, so don't go far and miss the boarding time.

Most of the beautiful scenery is encountered while the train is moving. Be aware of the reflections in the windows when taking pictures on board.

It is recommended to keep the lens close to the glass window and use manual focus as the autofocus tends to focus on the glass.

Qinghai Lake has a single colour inclusive of both blue and green as separate shades

Tanggula Mountains are the geographic headwaters of the Yangtze Rive

The boundless Qiangtang Prairie stretches in Nagchu