Tibet is always a popular destination for foreign visitors with its mysterious color. With the Qinghai-Tibet Railway has proved to be very successful since its opening in July 2006. It becomes more convenient to travel to Tibet. More and more domestic and foreign visitors choose to take train to Tibet, as passengers can see the fantastic scenery along the railway in daytime. Meanwhile, it is also helpful to adapt to high altitude directly.
Topchinatravel is going to offer you some tips about taking train for Tibet.
►From which cities there are trains to Tibet
The cities who have direct trains for Tibet are limited. And sometimes, the train departs not every day. There are trains from
Beijing,
Shanghai,
Chengdu,
Chongqing,
Guangzhou, Lanzhou and
Xining. The trains from Beijing and Shanghai depart every day. The trains from other cities departs every 2 days. Guangzhou is the nearest city to Tibet. It takes about 55 hours from Guangzhou to Lhasa by the train. The nearest city is Xining, which needs about 24 hours to Lhasa.
►How to Buy a Train Ticket to Tibet
As the tourism develops, the train has become quite crowded and tickets can be difficult to obtain. Generally speaking, it is very hard to buy sleeper tickets from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing to Lhasa. We often suggest the clients fly to Xining to transit a train for
Lhasa if they prefer train trip because it need least time and have more trains to Lhasa. Except the direct train to Lhasa, many trains from other cities stop in Xining.
Train ticket booking requests passengers ID card (for domestic passenger) or passport copy (for foreigners). Nowadays, all the tickets can be issued 60 days prior to the departure date. Therefore, Tibet ticket early booking is necessary. If you decide to take train to visit Tibet, we suggest you book the tour and tickets with Top China Travel as early as possible. We will try our best to make you the best arrangement.
►What Document do I need to Show when I Board the Train?
As a foreign traveler to Tibet,
Tibet permit is firstly the necessary document. It is different from traveling to Lhasa by air, original Tibet permit is not requested. Tibet permit copy is acceptable.
Besides, when you walk into the railway station, you will be requested to show your passport and train ticket for check. Then you need to pass the security check before you going to the waiting room for your train.
When you hear the broadcast telling your train can be checked in. Then you need to queque at Ticket Check. You will find 2 kinds of tickets. One is red and the other is light blue. Actually, there isn’t any difference on them, but the check-in way. If your tickets are red one, you need to have it checked by the railway station staff. If it is light blue, you can have it checked by the checking machine.
►Is there any place for me to breath oxygen on the train if I feel uncomfortable?
The Qinghai-Tibet train has oxygen outlet near the seat or bedhead
More detialed information can be found in train to Tibet page
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