Tibet Travel FAQ

When it comes to traveling to Tibet, most people are concerned about the high altitude sickness and its effect on theirhealth andjourney, Mostrubbish website owned by a fake local travel agencyclaims it helps acclimatization to the high alitude of Tibet. But our answerto the question. DoesTaking Train to Tibet reduce the risk of high altitude sickness? In clear no.
Taking a Train to Tibet does not reduce the risk of High altitude sickness as the train compariments are buil high alitude travel. Therefore,1aking thetrain to Tibet does not help you to get proper acclimatization along thejoumey. However,ithas a built-in pressurizer and oxygen supply systems to aidpassengers to travel at the high elevation of Tibet.
Moreover, if the passenger could not get sleep on the train,there would be tried on arrival, which increased the risk of high altitude sickness.
Many excellent and reliable travel website does suggest travellers take the fight into Tibet and take the train for a way out.
We would additionally suggest every traveller spend at least two full days in Lhasa before heading to the higher altitude.
Staying in Xining for a night or two would be an excelent move to acclimatization, Xining is at 2250m and Lhasa is at 360om. Read more aboutAcclimatization in Tibet.

Suppose you would like to cancel Tibetrain Ticket after purchasing it Likewise,here you will have to understand the Tibet train ticket cancellationpolicy. Here we are discussing it.
In most cases,you willhave to purchase with a Ticketing agency in China. This is because so many travel agencies in Tibet can help you buy a trainticket. Hence, we also allow travellers to buy the Tibet train ticket.
But for cancellation, we can only help to cancel before you get the paperticket for the train station. Remember, we cant help you cancel the ticket ifyou have already retrieved the paper ticket. Therefore, the Traveler is responsible for going to the Train station to cancel the ticket ifthe access isalready on paper.
Here are the Tibet Train ticket cancellation policy
It is free If you cancel the ticket 15 or more days before the departure date. It is free5% of the total ticket is cancellation fees. If you cancel the ticket in 15 days to 2 days.
10% of the totalticket is cancellation fees if you cancel the ticket in 2 days to 1 day.
.20% of the total ticket is cancellation fees if you cancel the ticket within 24 hours.
The Above mention cancellation fees are changed on the original Ticket price, Moreover, most third-party service provider service fee isnonrefundable. These third-party cant cancel your ticket,for it,you will have to go to the train station to cancel or change it yourself.
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1. Does taking the train to Tibet reduce the risk of high altitude sickness?
2. I cant book a Tibet flight from home?

The train joumeyto Tibet is long, ranging from 24 hrs -50 hrs, We would recommend you to make full preparation for this journey to enjoy the trip, Wewould recommend you to pack all the essential item in a smallbag for more accessible. Here is thelist of critical thing you may want to ill in a smallercontainer.
1. Toiletries
2.Slipper
3. Mug/ Cup or a thermos for the boiled water
4. Flashlight, (lights will turn off in the cabin after 10 pm).
5. Snack and cookies
6. Earplug and eye mask

It does not ask the question from travellers travelling into Tibet, as we (rave Agency in Tibet)are supposed to pick up and drop off all the travellers toand from the starion. Ye,it might be a concern when you are intially planning to visit Tibet. How far is the Lhasa train station from downtown Lhasa?
The distance between Lhasa train station and downtown Lhasa is about 20 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to reach your hotel. You can eithertake a taxi private vehicdle or public bus to the train station. But if you book a Tibet tour with us,you will provide a free pick-up and drop-offor allthetravellers.
The Lhasa train station is located in the new area of Lhasa city called the New Liuwu Area. This area is located right acrossthe Lhasa Kyichu River. Soto reach the train station from downtown, you will have to drive across the Liuwu Bridge.

Yes. There is oxygen available on the train to Tibet. Tibet Train has two oxygen supplying systems on the Tibet train; The General oxygen outlet and theprivate oxygen outlet.
The General Oxygen outlet realises oxygen for the entire cart. This system is Automated.It increases and decreasesthe oxygen output based on theamount of oxygen in the cart and elevation. To maintain the oxygen level,cllthe cabins on the train enclosed to prevent air leakage. The entire cabinsare well-pressurised
There is a private Oxygen outlet at allthe beds on the train.You will also find the pipe to connect on it to breathe in the fresh air.It is not guaranteed that you will not feel the effect of the High elevation sickness on the train or in Lhasa after arriving on the train journey. ThoughtTrain to Tibet pressurised, but it is not much different after arriving in Lhasa. But, we are sure it will help during your trip.
And for acclimatisation in Tibet afiter arrival in Lhasa. Therefore, It is best to make your Tibet tour plans slow in the beginning to have a great Tibettravel experience.

Yes. There are few charging outlets in the coridor of each cart of the train to Tibet. But sometimes, you might find them not functioning. So it isrecommended to bring your own power bank to back up.
Since mostInternational travellers use a soft sleeper cart and hard sleeper cart,a Seating cart is rarely used. So I willbe writing here about chargingoutlets on a hard and soft sleeper of the train to Tibet.
The electric outlets are avallable wallbelow the window chairs in corridors and at the hard sleeper carts' toilet exit point,.In a soft sleeper car, it isavailable in every single compartment. You wil have to go out of your cabin to the seat to charge your phone. Yetit is a g0od place to relax by thewindow with the view of the remotest place on earth while charging your phone.
In soft sleeper cars,there are electric outlets under the tiny table in every single compartment. So it is no issue to find and use itPlease remember, we use A, C and I sockets and plugs in Tibet and other parts of China.

No,there is no shower on the train to Tibet. You will have to wait to arrive in Lhasa for the shower.
We like to urge all travellers to shower in the hotel or the hostel at your departure city so that you will be ok during your Journey to Lhasa.
In Lhasa, you can take a shower. All the hotels associated have facilities of 24hr hot running water like the Shambhala Serai.
If you need to getfreshen up on the train. Since there is no shower on the train to Tibet The only possible way is to use the wet wipe to clean yourself.Soit is suggested for allthe travellers to go to Tibet on the rain to buy a wet tissue for that, At both ends of the cabin, there are toilets, washbasin, andboiled water dispensers. So you can use the bathroom to get clean thoroughly.

Yes, boiling water is avallable on all the trainsto Tibet. Usually,the water is considered safe to drink when it is boiled at 100 C. Yet in high elevationsthe water boils at a slightly lower temperature. Here on the Tibet train, water boils at 70C.
On the Tibet train, each cart has its water boile, and you can get it for free. There is a water boiler between two carts, Water is avallable 24 hours aday, but during peak hours, you will have to wait some time to get the water to reach the boiling temperature.
While getting the water, you should be cautious about the moving train. You will have to bring your mug and thermos
There is hot water avalilable in the sink area. But,itis only for washing things, not for drinking. Therefore, do not drink from that hot water tap in thesink area, for it is undrinkable.
Since boiled wateris plentifully available on the train,it is recommended for travellers to have instant food like noodles, caitmeal,tea,coffee, andanything else that requires you to add just hot water before eating it. You can also choose to buy Chinese Instant noodles abroad.

Yes. Meals are served on all the trains to Tibet when you travel to Tibet. Here you can choose food like Tibetan food and Chinese Dishes
In each Tibetrain , There is a Kitchen and Dining compartment. This coach is located right nexto the soft sleeping compartiment. You can buy threemeals a day here. There is also a delivery service; you can order your food to get it at your bed.
The Dining area has a seating capacity of over 40 people. Many travellers like this area for right expansive windows for excellent views of thelandscape. Here you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Qinghai Tibet plateau while having meals on Tibet train. As compare to other compariments,this compartment offers a better and broader view of a marvellous landscape. But here you cant seat without purchasing something. So Besidesmealtime, you can buy tea or beer to be permitted to seat there.
You can have options to choose if you go 10 eat in the dining area, Suppose you order your mealsto deliver at your berth, You will only have one optionto choose the pack boxed meal which is usually the Chinese Meal of rice and fried vegetable and pork at 20RMB.
The meals on the train are usually double the price of the market outside, and itis not very g0od. Besides the meals,you can also buy a diferent kindof snack from the snack stroller.
If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, advise bringing their favourite snacks,fruits,even instant foods. There is plenty of boiled water available onthe train.

Traveling to Tibet by train from other cities in China is more economical and easy. Many travelers often ask us how many hours in adivance shouldarrive at the train station in China.
Here is our answer, It is suggested to arrive at the train station 1.5 hours before the train departure. Trains usualy leave on time. Therefore there are afew things you will need to accomplish before the train's departure.
After arrival at the train station, you will have to retrieve the train ticket from the counter and also fill out the health record form before departure.
Additionally, there will be lots of people in line.So we would recommend you arrive1.5 hours before the departure time.
If possible, we would ike to recommend you get the Train Ticket a day before your departure,to avoid the last:-minute rush. Ask your hotel or hostelstaff for help. We are sure they can help you. It is also recommended to check the drive time to the train station.
If you plan to use public transportation, please research how to reach the train station.
During the National holidays in Chine, you wil have to g0 a lot earier,. Chinese holidays are considered the world's biggest migration season, and theywill be a lot of people at the train station. For that reason,they will be lots of queue at the station.
Please do not forget to bring a copy of the Tibet travel permit,E-ticket Number and passport with you.
We hope we have to answer your question. How many hours in advance should I arrive at the train station in China?

First of all, we onlyhelp traveler booking train tickets to Tibet if you have booked your Tibet Tour with us.(Find here different Tibet Tour packages, weare offering). After booking the tour with us, we will help you in booking flight and train tickets as per.
Suppose you are traveling to Tibet on the train.After securing your train ticket with us. The next question you will have is, How will get the Tibet trainticket if 1 booked it with you?
Upon successfully purchasing your Tibet Train ticket we will send you an email containing your e-ticket Number, Seat information, Departure, andArrival time.
You can retrieve your paper ticket from any train station in China (Except Macao and Hongkong) with your passport,copy of Tibet travel permit and E-ticket number.(Chongqing requires the original permit).
Suppose you are getting the train ticket on the same day of departure. You will have 1o reach the train station at least 1.5 hours before the traindeparture. During the national holidays in China, there are very long lines at the ticket counter. You will have to reach the train well in advance to haveenough time to check on the train. Usually,ticket check stops 2 minutes before the departure time.
It often encourages alltravellers to get the Tibet train ticket,In advance, if you are staying in that particular city for a day. I want to recommend thatyou go to the train station to gethe Ticket. In such a way, we can decrease the risk ofnot getting tickets for any reason. You can also ask people fromyour hotel or hostel to help you get it.
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.How many hours in advance should I arrive at the train station?
.How far is the Lhasa train station from downtown Lhasa?

Tibet Travel FAQ
Suppose you are thinking of booking the Tibet train tickets yourselfrom any train station in China. You can try to book from the ticket counterif youlike. Yet Tibet Train ticket would be avallable for purchase on the website around the eariest hour on the first selling day, which is 15 days before yourtravel day. There will be the possibility of tickets being sold out during the ticket counter's opening in the morning.
Iif you are booking the Tibet train tickets from third-party booking sites,choose a reputable and wel-known website. Yet most of these booking siteswil not guarantee you a 100% chance of getting the train ticket, With them,you might end up paying more for the service. They could also offer analternative plan,like breaking the journey into two train journeys.
Could you please book your Tibet tour package with us? We can help you purchase the train ticket as part of our Tibet travel services.
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.How far is the Lhasa train station from downtown Lhasa. Why do I have to pay more than the actual ticket price of a Tibet train ticket

When we help travellers buy train tickets, our cient often asks us, Why do I have to pay more than the actual ticket price of Tibet train ticker?
Tickets for trains to Tibet are always in very high demand. Additional that,there are limited numbers of trains avallable to Tibet. Most of the timetravellers have 1o use a third party 1o book it for them, so they charge additional for their services. It is a tough job in securing your train ticket andoften a risk of not booking the ticket. So we think they deserve some extra payment for their service.
Here is another reason why you will have to pay more than the actual ticket price of the Tibet train ticket, Tibet is a trendy travel destination fordomestic travellers. Most local tourists prefer to travel to Tibet on the railway. This is why it is often always harder to get a Train ticket to Lhasa thanother regions in China.
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What are the risks of trying to book the Tibet train ticket myself during the high season?
Can I buy the Tibet train ticket myself?

Yes, you can buy the Tibet rain ticket yourself to travel to Tibet. The oficial train ticketing booking site for China Railways is www.12306.cn. Yet thissite requires the Chinese ID card details to register, If you have friends and family members with a Chinese ID card, they can help you purchase foryou. Additionally,the site is in Mandarin and requires Chinese Bank information to pay for the ticket.
There are many third party train ticket booking platforms on the Internet. Of allthe most often used in China are Ctrip and Qunaer.
Allthe train tickets are available to purchase 30 days before the departure date. It is best to try to buy it on the first day for a better chance of gettingir. Ifyou miss the first day,please try for the next few days and have it booked through other agencies. You may not get the ticket in the last few days.
We can help you to buy the Tibet train ticket. But for this, you will have to book the Tibet Tour with us. The main reason is that purchasing the Tibettrain tickets is a little risky as we might not be able to secure you the ticket.
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. Why do I have to pay more than the actual ticket price of the Tibet Train ticket?
. What are the different types of seats available on the Tibet train?

When you travel 1o Tibet on the train Tibet, three different seats are available on Tibet Train.The price of these different seats differs a lot with thecomfort and facilities.
Following are types of seats available on the Tibet Train:
. Hard Seat
It is a seat like it is in the basic economy flight. Howeve, on this seat, you will sit next to the other passenger's shoulder to shoulder. Manyinternational visitors would rarelychoose this option for the long ride to Lhasa. However, locals and students usually use this as it is the cheapestoption available.
.Hard SleeperThe hard sleeper comes with bunker style beds. Each cabin willhave six berths and three berths on each side. Each berth has enough space forsleeping and your baggage. Here the bed is a little hard.
.Soft Sleeper
It is the most comfortable option on your train jourmey to Tibet, It is usually 40-50 USD more expensive than the hard sleeper. There are only 4four berths in a cabin, and the cabin has its door and television.
Above are the different types of seats available on the Tibet Train.,If you have any questions about the Tibet train and ticketing,please let us know [email protected].
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.Can 1 buy the Tibet train ticket myself?
What are the documents required to board a train to Tibet?

There are three primary documents required to board a train to Tibet. The following are documents needed to board a train to Tibet.
.Photocopies of Tibet Travel Permit.
We will send you the scan copies of your permit by email. So you will have to print it out. This permit contains two pages, and you willhave tomake three copies of it. But if you are taking the train from Chongqing to Lhasa, we willhave to send you the original Tibet Travel Permit. So wewill have to send it to your hotel.
. The Passport
You wilhave to have a passport, Which number you have used to book your train ticket, The ticket officer will check your passport before issuingyour ticket at the Train station.
Train Ticket (Paper)
Please collect your train ticket at the Counters, The reservation number we will send is not g0od to board you on the train, So we willhave topresent them with your passport and the Train ticket reservation number and collect the train ticket from the counter.
Above are the three documents required to board a train to Tibet, If you are boarding the fight to Tibet, so you willneed the original permit in hand.
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. What are the different types of seats available on the Tibet train?
. What's the toilet on the Tibet train like?

There are two toilets on the Tibet train cart. One is the western seating toilt with seat and lid,and the otheris the Asian squatting toilet. Besides thisdifference, all the other facilities in the toilet rooms are the same
Toilet n Tibet train is cleanercompare to trains in otheregions of Asia. On the jouney to Tibet, you wil frequently find staffin many stopover stationswho would clean the train's toilets.
Facilties like a sink with running water for washing hands, Scap dispensers and tissue paper dispensers are available in the toilet. The cold runningwater will be available all the time. Yet,often soap and tissue paper would be finished in the second half of the journey. Soit is recommended youbring your hand sanitiser and tissue paper while going toilet.
Al the instructions on the train, including the toilet, are in Mandarin,English and Tibetan Language. You willfind it all useful and easy1o follow.
On the doorfrom the outside,you willfind a red and green colour indicator. Red on means someone is inside, and a red one means itis free for use.
Below the sink counter, you wil find a green bution,Press itto flush the toilet The toilet flush system is similar to that of the Airplane. It uses bothwater and vacuum to flush the toilet. Please stand before flushing it. Otherwise, it could suck your rectum out.
When the train is stopped at any train station, the toilet will be closed and not used.
There are also some toilets for people with disabilties.,I is bigger than the standard toilets, and a wheelchair can easily fit inside. Besides the regularfacilities, There is a red button on it for emergency assistance.
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.What are the documents required to board a train to Tibet?
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