Beijing + Tibet Tours
Chengdu + Tibet Tours
Shanghai + Tibet Tours
Xining + Tibet Tours
Guangzhou Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares
There is 1 pair of trains, Z264 and Z266, running daily between Guangzhou and Lhasa. Z264 departs from Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station, arriving in Lhasa Railway Station on the third day after about 53.5 hours. Z266 leaves Lhasa and reaches Guangzhou on the third day, taking around 55.5 hours. Both trains make 13 stops along the route.
The trains running between Guangzhou and Lhasa have three kinds of seats – Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat. Accordingly, they are charged with different prices. The Hard Seat is the cheapest, but not recommended, for you have 2 nights to stay in the train. The Hard Sleeper is more expensive and offers a berth (6 berths in a compartment) to sleep. The Soft Sleeper has the highest price, and offers the best facilities and best environment.
Check following table for details about Guangzhou Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares to decide which to choose.
Which Seat Class to should I take, Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper or Hard Seat?
Traveling with the longest railway in China, Hard Seat is not recommended for you. To enjoy better facilities and larger space, we suggest you choose the Soft Sleeper. There are only 4 berths in one compartment, and you stretch your body freer.
Comparison between Soft Sleeper and Hard Sleeper
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of Sleepers | 4 | 6 |
| Size of Sleeper | Width:700mm/Length:1900mm | Width:500mm/Length:1800mm |
| TV | Yes | No |
| Power Supply | Yes | No |
| Vacuum Flask | Yes | Yes |
| Door | Yes | No |
(Important Notice: Since there are usually about 64 Soft Sleepers on each train to Tibet, so you’d better confirm your trip and book the train tickets as early as possible. Currently passenger can book the train ticket 15 days in advance.)
Facilities on Guangzhou Lhasa Train – Life on the Train
| Air Conditioning and Oxygen Supply | Every between Guangzhou and Lhasa is equipped with air-conditioning system to keep the air fresh and warm. It also has two kinds of oxygen supply system. On is a ‘dispersion-mode’ oxygen supply system. It spreads the oxygen in the air of the car and keeps enough oxygen content. The other is a “distribution-mode” oxygen supply which can be used directly by passengers through an independent oxygen outlet when the high altitude sickness takes place. |
| Food and Drink | There is a dining car in the middle of the train and it offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only Chinese food is available, including rice, meats, soups and vegetables. You can also buy bento from the Food Trolley. The Hot Water Dispenser is in the connection of every two carriages, and you can receive free hot water there. There are also drinks in the dining car and Food Trolley for sale. Don’t drink the water from the washing area. |
| Luggage Storage | The luggage closet in the Soft Sleeper Carriage is located above the door of the compartment. It is about 16 inches (40cm) high and 20 inches (50cm) wide. If you choose a Hard Sleeper, just put you luggage or suitcases on the racks about the window by the side of aisle. The passenger in Hard Seat Carriage can put their luggage on the close above the seats or just place the luggage under the seat. |
| Toilet and Washing | There is a western-style toilet in every Soft Sleeper Carriage and a squat toilet in every Hard Sleeper Carriage or Hard Seat Carriage. Toilet paper is not provided in the toilets and you need to bring your own. There is a simple washbasin in the toilet and another outside. Only cold water is provided undrinkable. |
| Compartment | Both Soft Sleeper Carriage and Hard Sleeper Carriage are made up by compartments. In the Soft Sleeper Compartment, there are 4 berths. Between two lower berths, there is a table. Under the table, you can find a plug for getting power supply. Every berth is equipped with a small TV fixed on the door and an oxygen outlet near the window. As for Hard Sleeper Compartment, the facilities include a small table, a dustbin and a thermos flask. |
Guangzhou to Lhasa or Lhasa to Guangzhou?
It all depends on your own itinerary to choose a train from Guangzhou to Lhasa or Lhasa to Guangzhou.
If you want to go to Nepal, take a train from Guangzhou to Lhasa. After your Tibet tour, you can take a flight to Kathmandu directly.
If you want to extend your tour to other cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin etc., choose a train from Lhasa to Guangzhou for there are many high speed trains in Guangzhou available to take you to your destination fast. Furthermore, it is also very convenient to get Hong Kong where there are many international flights.
Taking High Altitude into consideration, some people prefer to take a train instead of flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa so that they can adapt the altitude gradually. However, the highest altitude in the train journey is about 5,000km and you may still feel not very good and can’t enjoy the scenery fully. After the Tibet tour, you won’t be disturbed by the high altitude and can focus on sightseeing.
Beautiful High Plateau Landscape along the Qinghai Tibet Railway
Major Cities along the Way
It is the longest train trip in China which covers over 53 hours and you must be tired of just sitting or sleeping in the train. There will be 13 stopover train stations, some of where you can take a short walk to stretch your legs and breathe the fresh air. On the long journey, you can take a glimpse of vast China. Important cities along the Guangzhou-Lhasa Railway include:
Xian
If you just want to visit only three cities in China, Xian must be listed in your tour itinerary. It is a thriving city with a long history of more than 3100 years. As the capital of 13 dynasties, it enjoys rich culture and great religions. With some many things to see and do, Xian has attracted many tourists from China and aboard. The Guangzhou-Lhasa Trains will stop at Xian Railway Station at for about 10 minutes.
Xining
Xining – the capital of Qinghai always attracts tourists with its amazing Qinghai Lake. It is one of the largest saline lakes in China. In May and June, there are countless of birds flying crisscrossing in the sky. In July and August, the bright yellow rape flowers are blooming. You can see one part of Qinghai Lake from the train. Both Guangzhou-Lhasa Train and Lhasa-Guangzhou Train will stop at Xining Railway Station for about 10 minutes.. Take a short walk and stretch your legs. You can also buy some snacks.
Nagchu
Nagchu is the largest prefecture in Tibet. It is famous for the Horse Riding Festival. On that big day, there will be wonderful performance and exciting riding competition. It always takes place on Jun. to Jul. If you happen in Tibet, don’t miss it. As your train gets to Nagchu, you will enjoy the beautiful picture made by parries, flocks and herds.
Our dear customer Lucia and her family visited Terracotta Warriors in Xian
Cuo'na Lake in Nagchu along Qinghai Tibet Railway
How to Plan a Guangzhou Travel
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is a historic and vibrant international city located along the Pearl River. As one of the starting points of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, it offers a mix of historical sites like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, as well as modern landmarks such as the Canton Tower. Known for its Cantonese cuisine, thriving trade atmosphere, and convenient transportation, Guangzhou serves as a popular first stop for travelers exploring South China and beyond.
Classic Guangzhou Two Days Tour
Day 1: Visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall for exquisite Lingnan architecture, then Temple of the Six Banyan Trees for its ancient pagoda. Explore Yuexiu Park (home to the Five Rams Statue), pass by Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and end at Beijing Road for shopping and street food.
Day 2: Start at Canton Tower for panoramic city views, then discover Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King. Stroll through Shamian Island with its tree-lined streets and historic buildings, then depart.
Our guests - Chin's group from Singapore visited Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Tibet Travel Permit and Train Travel
A Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit) is the MUST-HAVE DOCUMENT to take a train to Lhasa from Guangzhou. However, only authorized travel agencies can apply for it on your behalf. But don't worry, since the procedure to obtain the permit is not complicated. And we Tibet Discovery can help you handle all the stuff. As one of the leading local Tibet tour operators, Tibet Discovery has expertise in the permit policy and the application process. With years of experience, we specialize in efficiently obtaining Tibet Travel Permits for our clients. Just confirm your Tibet tour with us and provide us with your necessary documents (valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining & Chinese Visa), and we manage all application procedures to ensure you receive your permit promptly, allowing you to enjoy your trip as planned.
Please note 1) it takes about 14 working days to receive your Tibet Travel Permit after you provide us with copies of your valid passport and Chinese Visa, so we recommend you send these documents well in advance to us. 2) remember to duplicate at least 3 copies of Tibet Travel Permit, as it will be required for many occasions throughout your trip.
Learn more detail about Tibet Travel Permit Application
Sample of Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit)
How to Book Guangzhou Lhasa Train Tickets
You can book tickets yourself either online or at the railway station. For online booking, visit the official 12306 website (www.12306.cn/en) or download the 12306 App (which has an English version). The process involves registering an account, completing identity verification by entering your passport information, then searching for trains and making payment, with support for Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay bank cards. Alternatively, you can visit any railway station ticket office in person to buy tickets with your passport and Tibet Travel Permit. If you prefer a more convenient option, simply provide your passport information to a trusted travel agency to book for you, saving the trouble of registering and going through the verification process yourself.
Both your passport and Tibet Travel Permit are required to book train tickets at a railway station, but only passport information is needed if you book online. Please have both documents ready in advance, as they will be checked when entering the station, during ticket inspection, and when boarding the train.
How to Get to Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station
Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station is the only railway station operates train to Lhasa in Guangzhou. It is located on the southwest side of the intersection of Tangxin Road and Tangle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City (广州市白云区棠新路与棠乐路交叉路口西南侧). Guangzhou Baiyun Station is about 10 kilometers from the city center, approximately 27 kilometers from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and about 8 kilometers from Guangzhou Railway Station. It is accessible by metro, bus, or taxi. For a more convenient and hassle-free experience, you can also choose our private transfer service. Feel free to contact us!
B-Plan for Guangzhou Lhasa Train
1. Take a flight to Tibet
It is also possible to take a flight with a stop from Guangzhou to Lhasa, which usually takes about 6~6.5 hours (including the layover time). There are typically 3 flights per day, so it is better to make a decision and book the ticket early.
(The above flight info is just for reference only.)
2. Make a Transfer in Another City
The train journey between Guangzhou and Lhasa will take more than 53 hours, which is really time-consuming. If you want to shorten this long journey without missing the most beautiful landscape along the railway, you could first travel to a city from which the train ride to Lhasa is much shorter. Available trains include Beijing-Lhasa train, Chengdu-Lhasa train, Chongqing-Lhasa train, Xian-Lhasa train, Shanghai-Lhasa Train, Guangzhou-Lhasa Train, and Xining-Lhasa Train.
We suggest choose Xian or Xining as a stopover between Guangzhou and Lhasa. Xi'an, one of China's must-visit historical cities, has frequent flights and high-speed trains from Guangzhou. You can easily explore its famous sites before boarding a shorter 34-hour train to Lhasa. Xining is the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and the journey from Xining to Lhasa features the most breathtaking scenery along the entire route. It also offers the best chance of securing a ticket, as all trains to Lhasa must pass through Xining. Fly to Xining, and you will get greater opportunity to book the train.
Tibet Train Routes and Gateway Cities
- Beijing Lhasa Train
- Shanghai Lhasa Train
- Chengdu Lhasa Train
- Chongqing Lhasa Train
- Guangzhou Lhasa Train
- Lanzhou Lhasa Train
- Xining Lhasa Train
- Xian Lhasa Train
- Lhasa Shigatse Train
- Lhasa Nyingchi Train
- Yunnan Tibet Railway
- Sichuan Tibet Railway
More Information about Tibet Train
- How to Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel Train Ticket
- How to Read Tibet Train Ticket and Ticket Maps
- Change Tibet Trains at Xining Since April 19
- Tibet Train Sleeper and Seat Types
- Soft Sleeper on Tibet Trains
- Hard Sleeper on Tibet Trains
- Hard Seats on Tibet Trains
- Tibet Lhasa Train Schedule & Ticket Price
- Facilities and Amenities on Tibet Trains
- Oxygen Supply on Tibet Trains
- Medical Service in Tibet Trains
- Toilet and Bathroom on Tibet Trains
- Dining on Tibet Trains
- Tibet Train Luggage Allowance and Restriction
- How to Board & Disembark Tibet Trains
- Qinghai Tibet Railway Facts and Features
- What to see along the Qinghai Tibet Railway
- Latest News about Tibet Train
- Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Train Travel
- Lhasa Railway Station
- Tibet Railways Map
- Tibet Train FAQs
Recommended Tibet Train Tour Packages
Check out our most popular train tour packages departing from most popular gateway cities to Tibet - Beijing,Xian, Chengdu, Xining, Shanghai, etc. All packages are customizable according to your requirements. If you have more time, you can extend your trip from Lhasa to other popular destinations, such as Shigatse, Mount Everest, Nyingchi, Ngari, etc. Check more >Tibet Train Tours
-
Beijing / Lhasa
8 Days Lhasa Tour from Beijing by Train
Highlights: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Potala Palace, Sera Monastery
-
Chengdu / Lhasa
7 Days Private Scenic Tibet Train Tour from Chengdu
Highlights: Chengdu Panda Base, Qinghai Tibet Railway, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
-
Xining / Lhasa
6 Days Scenic Private Qinghai Tibet Train Tour from Xining
Highlights: Qinghai Lake, Scenic Qinghai-Tibet Train Journey, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
Prefer to tailor a trip that totally suits your requirements and interests? Our 20+ professional, helpful and friendly travel experts are ready to help! Tell us your needs, and one of our experts will get to you with trip details within 0.5~23.5 hrs. You can also call us at 86-28-85227275 / 86-28-85223672.
Karen
Wonder
Jack
Rita
Johnson
Vivien
Wing
Ariel
Leo
Tracy
Evelyn
April
Phoebe
Kelly
Shirley
Reya
Juliet
Elk
Samantha
Felix
SeanOur specialists are always ready to help!
Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts soon!
- Your Question:
- Your Name:
- Your Email:
- Submit