How Much Does It Cost to Take a Train to Tibet: An Updated 2025 Guide

If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tibet, taking the train is one of the most scenic, comfortable, and budget-friendly ways to reach the Roof of the World. So, how much does it cost to take a train to Tibet? This is a frequently asked question, and this guide aims to answer it in detail. Read on to learn about the specific expenses, including train ticket prices, the costs of onboard meals, the required permit, and other personal costs.

Tibet Train Ticket Prices: The Main Cost for Your Tibet Train Journey

Trains to Lhasa are currently available from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xining, Lanzhou, Xi’an, and Chongqing. Ticket prices vary depending on your departure city, seat or sleeper class, and the season you travel. Below, we outline the typical costs for soft sleeper and hard sleeper tickets (Since sleepers are the choice of most travelers, the price of hard seats is not listed in this guide) from major Chinese cities in 2025.

Beijing-Lhasa Train

The Tibet train connecting Beijing to Lhasa began operation in July 2006. The Z21 train departs daily from Beijing West Railway Station at 19:22 and arrives in Lhasa at 11:42 two days later, taking approximately 40 hours and 10 minutes. The return train is called Z22 and runs about 41 hours and 20 minutes. The cost of this journey is approximately 1,144 CNY for a soft sleeper and 720 CNY for a hard sleeper.

Shanghai-Lhasa Train

There is a Tibet train that runs daily between Shanghai and Lhasa. The train from Shanghai to Lhasa is called Z164. It departs from Shanghai daily at 18:33 and arrives in Lhasa at 15:30 on the third day, taking about 44 hours and 57 minutes.

The return train is called Z166, and it takes 48 hours and 13 minutes to arrive in Shanghai. The cost of this train varies according to the class of your ticket. Soft-sleeper cabins cost about 1,263 CNY, while hard-sleeper cabins cost about 794 CNY.

Chengdu-Lhasa Train

Chengdu is one of the most popular routes to Tibet. However, the train does not depart daily from Chengdu station. It departs every other day. The train from Chengdu to Lhasa is called Z322, and the return train is called Z324.

The Z322 train departs from Chengdu West Railway Station at 21:10 and arrives in Lhasa at 07:41 with a total travel time of 34 hours and 31 minutes. The overall cost for the soft-sleeper cabins is 998 CNY, and the hard-sleeper cabins is 628 CNY.

Xining-Lhasa Train

Xining Railway Station is the starting point of the famous Qinghai-Tibet railway, and it has the highest frequency of Tibet trains compared to any other departure stations. To be specific, there are six daily different trains running from Xining to Lhasa. They leave at different times of the day and take about 20-22 hours to reach Lhasa.

All of these trains, including Z323, Z8981, Z21, Z265, Z165, and Y971, have the same prices for soft-sleeper and hard-sleeper tickets. The cost for a hard sleeper is around 495 CNY, and for a soft sleeper, it's about 781 CNY.

Xi’an-Lhasa Train

There are two daily trains that connect Xi’an with Lhasa: Train Z165 and Z265. It takes around 30 to 31 hours and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station on the second day. The fare for a hard sleeper is approximately 612 CNY, and for a soft sleeper, it's around 970 CNY.

Guangzhou-Lhasa Train

Like the Beijing-Lhasa train, the Guangzhou-Lhasa train also started service in July 2006. Visitors from Hong Kong and Southern China usually start their Tibet journey from this route to Tibet. The departing train is called Z264, and the return train is called Z266.

The train takes nearly 54 hours, departing from Guangzhou at 09:27 and arriving in Lhasa at 14:54. The cost for the soft-sleeper cabin is 1,468 CNY, and for the hard-sleeper cabin, it is around 865 CNY.

Chongqing-Lhasa Train

Like the Chengdu–Lhasa train, the train from Chongqing to Lhasa runs every other day. The departing train is called Z223, and the return train is called Z224. The Z223 train leaves from Chongqing West Railway Station at 21:53 and arrives in Lhasa at 07:41, with a journey time of nearly 34 hours. Soft-sleeper cabins cost 1,079 CNY, while hard-sleeper cabins cost 680 CNY.

Lanzhou-Lhasa Train

The Lanzhou–Lhasa train is also in high demand, as it offers a relatively short travel time. There are four trains running between Lanzhou and Lhasa every day. The entire journey takes around 23 to 24 hours. The hard sleepers cost around 522 CNY, and the soft sleepers cost around 823 CNY.

Note: The ticket prices mentioned above are for reference only and may change seasonally. During peak travel seasons, such as summer and national holidays, ticket prices may increase slightly. Additionally, if you book through a travel agency or an online ticketing platform, you may be charged a service fee, which may vary depending on the season and the complexity of the booking.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on Tibet train schedules and fares in 2025, we recommend contacting us directly.

Dining Costs on Tibet Trains: What Do Meals and Snacks Really Cost?

Dining Car

Each Tibet train is equipped with a dining car, where passengers can enjoy three meals a day. For breakfast, you can get a simple meal of porridge, pickles, steamed buns, eggs, bread, and milk for around 25-50 CNY per person. If you prefer noodles, options like vegetable noodles, beef noodles, and steak noodles are available.

For lunch and dinner, you can choose from a variety of Chinese and Tibetan dishes. Some popular Chinese-style dishes include Kung Pao chicken, braised pork belly, and seasonal vegetables, served with rice and soups. In addition, Tibetan specialties like tsampa (roasted barley flour) or yak meat dishes may also be available, giving you a chance to try local flavors. Each of these freshly cooked dishes has a different price, ranging from 20 to 120 CNY for one dish. Usually, it costs 60 to 80 CNY per person.

In addition to three daily meals, the dining car on Tibet trains also offers special tea and snack services: you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee there, along with peanuts, steamed buns, biscuits, and ham. This tea snack set will cost you 30 CNY during the daytime and 40 CNY at night.

Food Trolley

The food trolley on Tibet trains is a more convenient choice, as you can buy food and snacks from it without leaving your seat. For lunch and dinner, you can buy boxed meals with meat and vegetables. They usually cost 20 to 30 CNY per meal, which is cheaper than dishes from the dining car. Snacks, fruits and drinks are also available in a food trolley, and their cost depends on what and how many items you choose.

The Cost of Tibet Travel Permit: Essential for Taking the Tibet Train

All foreign tourists are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. This document is essential and must be presented before boarding any train or flight to Lhasa. The permit itself is free of charge; however, you cannot apply for it on your own—it must be arranged through a licensed Tibet travel agency like ours. Some travel agencies may also charge a service fee to manage the application process.

If you join one of our Tibet tours, we’ll take care of the entire application and delivery process of your Tibet Travel Permit for free. It is recommended to contact us at least 20 days in advance to arrange for the permit. In rare cases, such as when you need it urgently or if the departure date is approaching, you may need to pay an additional expedited processing fee.

Other Personal Costs During a Tibet Train Journey

No matter which city you depart from, you’ll need to spend at least one night on the train. Therefore, you need to bring or buy some items onboard for a more comfortable experience. For a better sleep, it’s a good idea to bring small personal comfort items such as a neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs, and a travel blanket. Each of these items might cost between 20 CNY and 80 CNY.

You may also want to bring your own toiletries, including wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper, as the supplies on the train may run out during the journey. The unit price of these items is approximately 10 CNY to 30 CNY each.

Money-Saving Tips for Taking the Train to Tibet

Choose a Proper Berth

Generally speaking, the price of a hard sleeper is about 300 RMB cheaper than that of a soft sleeper, or even more. Also, within the same sleeper car, the prices for the upper, middle, and lower berths are different. The upper berth is the cheapest, while the lower berth is the most expensive, with a price difference of about 30 RMB between them.

Therefore, if you're on a budget, you may want to choose an upper berth in the hard sleeper, but keep in mind that it offers less comfort and limited space.

Avoid Peak Seasons

If possible, travel during the off-peak season. Train ticket prices are often lower, and you may also find better options on accommodation in Tibet. Additionally, there are fewer tourists at popular Tibetan destinations during the off-peak season, so you can enjoy the scenery in a less crowded and quieter environment.

Book through a Local Tibet Travel Agency

Booking your journey through us can save you both money and hassle. We can help apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf for free, secure the most suitable train tickets, and offer a reasonable price for a group tour.

Bring Your Own Food and Essentials

Although meals, snacks and drinks are all available on Tibet trains, their prices are generally higher than other places. Therefore, it’s a wise choice to bring food like instant noodles, snacks, nuts, and dried fruits. Also, you can bring a thermos as free hot water is provided in each cabin.

Conclusion

To conclude, the main cost of taking a train to Tibet is the ticket price, which depends on your departure city and the ticket class. You may also have other expenses on the train, such as meals, snacks, and buying essentials before boarding. The total cost varies based on your preferences.

We hope this guide has helped you understand the costs involved in taking the train to Tibet. If you still have any other questions regarding Tibet train costs or planning your Tibet trip, feel free to contact us and we are here to assist you with every step of your journey.