Tibet Train Ticket Guide: Types, Prices, and How to Book in 2025

Taking the Tibet train is a great way to start your Tibet journey with breathtaking scenery throughout the trip. For foreign travelers planning a Tibet tour by train, understanding how Tibet train tickets work—their types, prices, how to book them, and when to buy—is essential for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

As a Tibet travel agency with years of experience helping international travelers, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions about Tibet train tickets. By following the guide and tips, you can start your Tibet train journey with ease and confidence.

What Types of Tibet Train Tickets Are Available?

Tibet trains typically offer three types of tickets: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. Each has its own level of comfort, privacy, and price, and you can choose one of them based on your travel needs and budget.

1. Soft Sleeper (Most Comfortable)

Soft sleeper is both the most expensive and the most comfortable class among the three. In each soft sleeper cabin, there are four berths (two upper and two lower), a sliding door for privacy, air conditioning, a small table, and a TV. Its bedding is clean and comfortable, and there is enough space for luggage. This is the most popular choice, especially for long-distance travelers.

2. Hard Sleeper (Budget-friendly Sleep Option)

Compared with soft sleeper, hard sleeper is more affordable but less private. Each hard sleeper compartment includes six bunks—two on the top, two in the middle, and two on the bottom. Besides, the hard sleeper compartment is open to the hallway, with no door. While not as quiet, comfortable, or private as soft sleepers, hard sleepers are more reasonably priced.

3. Hard Seat (The Cheapest Option)

Hard seat tickets are the cheapest option and are typically used by local passengers for short-distance travel. In a hard seat carriage, the seats are arranged in rows facing each other, with a small shared table in the middle. They are fixed and upright, slightly cushioned, and unable to recline. Generally speaking, hard seats are not recommended for the long journey to Tibet due to the limited comfort and space.

Soft sleeper berths are very comfortable for long Tibet train journeys.

How Much Does a Tibet Train Ticket Cost?

The price of Tibet train tickets varies depending on your departure city, the ticket class and travel season. Usually, a hard seat ticket is the cheapest, followed by a hard sleeper ticket. A soft sleeper ticket is the most expensive. When you book a sleeper berth, you may get an upper, middle, or lower berth—from the cheapest to the most expensive. Below are ticket prices for popular routes for reference:

Note: Prices listed in the table above are reference values and they may vary depending on the season, demand, and supply.

How Do You Read a Tibet Train Ticket?

Tibet train tickets are printed in Chinese, but understanding the layout is not difficult once you know what to look for. The train number, departure and arrival stations, ticket classes, seat classes, and other essential information are all listed on the ticket.

You can learn to read a Chinese train ticket from this labeled image.

First, you need to pay attention to the departure station (listed to the left of the train number), because many cities in China have more than one station. In that case, make sure you know which station your train departs from.

Next, the train number is listed between the departure and arrival stations. Using the train number, you can find your waiting room and platform to board the train. Finally, your assigned seat or berth is indicated by the seat/berth numbers printed on the ticket.

To help you better understand the information printed on a Tibet train ticket, here’s a table showing Chinese-English translations of berth positions and ticket classes.

When Should You Buy a Tibet Train Ticket?

Getting a Tibet train ticket can be difficult, especially during peak travel season (May to October), so we recommend booking your ticket in advance—at least 15 days before your departure.

Before booking your train ticket, make sure you have the required documents ready. These include your valid ID (passport) and the Tibet Travel Permit. Since the permit can only be obtained through a licensed Tibet travel agency, it’s advisable to contact one at least 20 days in advance to arrange it.

How Do You Book and Collect Tibet Train Tickets?

For foreign travelers, you have three ways to book your Tibet train tickets.

1. Booking online

Online platforms like 12306.cn (the official railway website), Ctrip, and Trip.com are available for booking train tickets. They may require a Chinese phone number, a registered ID or passport, and local payment methods (such as Alipay or WeChat Pay). If you book online, you’ll still need to collect your ticket in person and present your Tibet Travel Permit at the station before boarding the train.

2. Book in Person at the Station

Of course, you can buy a ticket at the ticket window at your departure station. The advantage of buying your ticket in person is that you receive the paper ticket on the spot, without having to go through the ticket collection process.

However, since most passengers nowadays book their tickets online in advance, you may find that tickets are already sold out when you arrive at the station. Therefore, we do not recommend relying on this option, especially during peak travel periods.

3. Book Through a Travel Agency

Booking either online or in person can be a bit complicated for foreign travelers, so the best way is to find a reliable travel agency to arrange it for you. Here at Chinatibettrain, we offer a one-stop service that includes booking your train tickets and applying for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf. Both the permit and the ticket will be delivered to your hotel or another address in China.

If you join our Tibet train tour in 2025, we can guarantee you a ticket for a soft sleeper berth, so you can enjoy a comfortable and private journey.

Travelers are required to present their Tibet Travel Permit when taking a Tibet train.

Useful Tips for Your Tibet Train Journey

Choose Soft Sleeper for More Comfort

Traveling from the major cities in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai) to Lhasa is quite a long journey and you will spend one or two nights on the train, so having a comfortable berth is really important. Among the available options, the soft sleeper is highly recommended as it offers more space and privacy.

Be Prepared for High Altitude

Even though all Tibet trains are equipped with oxygen supply systems, you may still experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Before heading to the train station, consider packing some medicine to help prevent or relieve altitude sickness. While on the train, it helps a lot to avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of water, and eat lightly.

Pack Essential Items

While Tibet trains provide basic amenities for passengers, it's still a good idea to bring a few personal essentials to enhance your comfort during the journey. First, bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop sharply, especially at night. In addition, items like wet wipes, toilet paper, a power bank, and an adapter can be especially useful. Last, for a better night’s sleep on board, consider packing an eye mask, earplugs, and a pair of slippers.

Conclusion

While booking Tibet train tickets can seem complex due to permit requirements and language barrier, working with an experienced local agency like ours can make the entire process smooth and hassle-free. Whether you're planning a cultural tour in Lhasa, an overland trip to Everest Base Camp, or a full circuit across Tibet, we are here to help every step of the way—from required permits and train tickets to complete itineraries.

If you need any help with booking a Tibet train ticket or planning your Tibet trip, feel free to reach out to us—we’d be glad to assist!