Train from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet

We can not book these tickets for you unfortunately. At the time of press (1st July 2006) tickets for the Tibet Railway can not be issued in advance by a travel agency. They are only available point of sale at Beijing West Station. Tickets go on sale 10 days in advance of departure and are generally sold out by the next day. So you need to be in Beijing in advance, have some flexibility and be prepared for a long queue at the train station to purchase the tickets.

New Line opens

The Highest railway line in the world started operating on 1st July, 2006. The 4,064-kilometre rail line of which 1,110 kilometres is new track, mostly at least 4,000 metres above sea level.

Times and Prices

The train from Beijing to Lhasa, T27, departs daily from Beijing West Railway Station at 9:30 pm, and arrives in Lhasa at 8:58 pm on the third day, taking 47 hours and 28 minutes. The train from Lhasa to Beijing, T28, leaves at 8 am and arrives at 8 am of the third day, taking exactly 48 hours.

Bought in a Beijing a hard seat costs 389 RMB (US$49), a hard sleeper (bottom berth) 813 RMB (US$102), and a soft sleeper (bottom berth) 1,262 RMB (US$158). The most expensive ticket is priced at about half the fare of an air ticket, 2,540 RMB (US$318).

Other Stations

The trains will stop at six stations: Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Lanzhou in Gansu Province, Xining and Golmud in Qinghai Province and Nagqu in Tibet Autonomous Region. Passengers can get on the train at any of the six cities.

Travel Permits

Accurate information on travel permit requirements is hard to establish; apparently a permit is still needed, but when purchasing the tickets at the station is not actually requested. If needed, they can be arranged through a couple of licensed agents in Beijing, for around 840 RMB (US$105).

 

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