Beijing to Lhasa Advice
The train from Beijing to Lhasa is one of the great rail journeys of the world. Here is what you need to know before you go. There is one direct train a day (the Z21) from Beijing West Railway Station. It leaves in the evening and reaches Lhasa about 40 hours later, on the afternoon of the third day, after nearly 3,800 km.
1. Day Tours in Beijing
Beijing has more sights than you can see in a week. The highlights are Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the old hutong lanes. If you only have one day before your train, choose the Great Wall in the morning and the Forbidden City in the afternoon. (The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays and needs a ticket booked in advance.)
2. Transfer: Beijing Airport → West Railway Station
Beijing West Railway Station is in Fengtai District, in the southwest of the city. From Beijing Capital or Daxing Airport, a taxi takes about an hour, depending on traffic. You can also take the metro. Allow plenty of time: Beijing traffic is heavy, and you need to be at the station at least an hour before departure.
We can arrange a private transfer in Beijing from the airport or your hotel to the station.
3. Required Documents
- Passport and Chinese visa — your passport is your ticket. You will show it at the station entrance and again at the platform.
- Tibet Travel Permit — you need it to buy your ticket and to board the train.
- Train ticket — tickets are electronic and linked to your passport. Keep the booking details on your phone.
Warning: without the Tibet Travel Permit you cannot board. We arrange it before you travel.
4. Choosing Your Train Ticket Class
| Class | Berths per compartment | Privacy |
|---|---|---|
| Soft sleeper | 4, with a door | More private and quieter |
| Hard sleeper | 6, no door | Open, more sociable, cheaper |
Despite the name, the “hard sleeper” bed is not hard: it has a mattress, pillow and duvet. The difference is the open compartment and the third, higher bunk.
5. Booking Train Tickets
Tickets to Lhasa are hard to get from May to October and around Chinese holidays. Sales open a few weeks before departure, and soft sleepers sell out first. Book your tour early so we can book your ticket the moment sales open.
6. Total Cost of the Journey
The price of the ticket depends on the class and the season. Meals in the dining car are simple and inexpensive, and you can also buy snacks on the train. We will give you the current fare when you book.
7. Luggage Rules
Adults can take about 20 kg of luggage free, and children 10 kg. Each piece should not be longer than 160 cm in total (length + width + height). Hazardous goods are not allowed. In practice, a large suitcase and a daypack are fine.
8. What to Pack for 2 Nights on the Train
- slippers, a towel, toothbrush and toothpaste
- tissues and wet wipes
- snacks, fruit and drinks
- a warm layer for the evening
- a book or downloaded films, plus a power bank
- any medicine you take, and something for headaches
9. Medical Conditions & Train Travel
The railway asks passengers to make sure they are fit for high altitude. People with serious heart disease, severe high blood pressure, serious lung disease (such as COPD or severe asthma), blood disorders or brain blood vessel disease should not travel to the plateau. If you are unsure, see your doctor before you book.
10. Beijing West Station Entrance Guide
Beijing West is very large. The North Square is the main entrance. Once inside, look for the waiting room shown on the screens for your train. The Lhasa train usually has its own waiting area. Sleeper passengers board first, so listen for the call.
We answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.