Transport Guide

High-Speed Rail from Xi'an

Comprehensive guide to high-speed trains from Xi'an. Routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and beyond.

High-Speed Rail from Xi'an

Comprehensive guide to high-speed trains from Xi'an. Routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and beyond.

10-12 min read Updated May 18, 2026 Transport

Xi'an's Railway Network

Xi'an is a major railway hub in central China, connecting to virtually every major city via the extensive high-speed rail network. The city operates three main railway stations: Xi'an North Railway Station (西安北站) for high-speed G/D trains, Xi'an Railway Station (西安站) for regional trains, and Xi'an West Station (西安西站) for western routes.

As of 2026, Xi'an Railway Bureau operates 459.5 pairs of passenger trains daily, with 268 pairs being high-speed EMU trains. This makes Xi'an one of the best-connected cities in China for rail travel.

Station Selection

Xi'an North (西安北站) is the main high-speed rail hub serving Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and most major destinations. Xi'an Railway Station (西安站) is for regional trains and some overnight routes. Always check which station your train departs from.

Xi'an to Beijing

Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站)

4h 10m - 6h fastest | 7h 30m - 12h 30m overnight

Trains daily: ~26 G-trains + 4 D-trains

Second Class: CNY 463-577 | First Class: CNY 744-922 | Business: CNY 1,432-1,815

Best G-Train Options (Day Travel)

TrainDepartureArrivalDurationFrequency
G87 07:00 11:19 4h 19m Daily
G55 09:55 14:05 4h 10m Daily
G59 19:00 23:11 4h 11m Daily

D-Train Options (Overnight)

Overnight D-trains take 7.5-12.5 hours with second class sleepers from CNY 350-354. These are budget-friendly options if you want to save on accommodation.

Xi'an to Shanghai

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)

5h 51m - 7h fastest | 12h - 16h with stops

Trains daily: ~26 departures

Second Class: CNY 233-650 | First Class: CNY 400-900 | Business: CNY 1,200-2,000

Best Options

TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
G1914 07:15 14:00 6h 45m
G3162 14:20 20:30 6h 10m
G3154 17:30 23:30 6h 00m

Xi'an to Chengdu

Chengdu East Railway Station (成都东站)

3h 7m - 4h fastest | 6h - 9h standard

Trains daily: ~74 departures (most frequent route)

Second Class: CNY 250-402 | First Class: CNY 421 | Business: CNY 789

Fastest Options

TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
G87 07:00 10:30 3h 30m
G329 08:21 11:48 3h 27m
G2201 12:10 15:17 3h 07m
Popular Route

The Xi'an-Chengdu route is one of the most scenic high-speed rail journeys in China, passing through the Qinling Mountains and along the Han River valley.

Xi'an to Chongqing

Chongqing North Railway Station (重庆北站)

5h 12m - 5h 30m

Trains daily: 2 departures (morning and afternoon)

Second Class: CNY 279-447 | First Class: CNY 447

TrainDepartureArrivalDuration
D1979 12:08 17:26 5h 18m
D1711 15:50 21:02 5h 12m

Xi'an to Luoyang

Luoyang Longmen / Luoyang Stations

1h 15m - 1h 30m (express) | 3h - 4h 41m (standard)

Trains daily: ~97 departures (very frequent)

Second Class: CNY 70-280 | First Class: CNY 115-450

Luoyang is perfect for a day trip from Xi'an to visit the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) or the Shaolin Temple (少林寺).

Xi'an to Mount Huashan

Huashan North Railway Station (华山北站)

28m - 39m

Trains daily: ~61 departures (very frequent)

Second Class: CNY 34.50 | First Class: CNY 59.50

Day Trip Perfect

Huashan is the perfect day trip from Xi'an! Take an early G-train (first departure 07:46), hike/explore during the day, and return on an evening train (last departure 22:08).

Xi'an to Lanzhou

Lanzhou Railway Station / Lanzhou West

2h 28m - 3h (fast) | 5h - 7h (standard)

Trains daily: ~70 departures

Second Class: CNY 118-225 | First Class: CNY 190-365

Other Popular Routes

DestinationDurationDaily TrainsSecond Class From
Zhengzhou (郑州) 1h 30m - 2h 30m Frequent CNY 239
Wuhan (武汉) 3h 39m - 5h 05m ~15 CNY 454
Changsha (长沙) 4h 54m - 6h 41m ~10 CNY 586
Hangzhou (杭州) 6h 31m - 7h ~12 CNY 650
Guangzhou South (广州南) 7h 04m - 8h ~9 CNY 812
Shenzhen North (深圳北) 9h 22m - 10h 26m ~4 CNY 887
Taiyuan South (太原南) 2h 46m - 3h 56m ~45 CNY 178
Pingyao (平遥古城) 2h 27m - 3h 13m ~10 CNY 150

Understanding Train Types

G Trains (高铁)

  • Speed: Up to 350 km/h
  • Routes: Major cities, high-speed lines
  • Price: Most expensive but fastest
  • Comfort: Modern, clean, air-conditioned

D Trains (动车)

  • Speed: Up to 250 km/h
  • Routes: Regional routes, some high-speed
  • Price: Moderate
  • Comfort: Similar to G trains

C Trains (城际)

  • Speed: Up to 200 km/h
  • Routes: Inter-city commuter routes
  • Price: Budget-friendly
  • Comfort: Standard seating

Z/T/K Trains (普速)

  • Speed: 80-160 km/h
  • Routes: Long-distance, overnight routes
  • Price: Most economical
  • Comfort: Sleepers available (硬卧/软卧)

Booking Tips

  1. Book 15 days in advance: Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. Popular routes sell out quickly.
  2. Morning trains are popular: If traveling to Beijing/Shanghai, book morning departures for daytime arrival.
  3. Consider overnight trains: Save accommodation by taking overnight D/Z trains to distant destinations.
  4. Use the 12306 app: English interface available. See our 12306 Guide for detailed instructions.
  5. Arrive 45 minutes early: Xi'an North is large. Allow time for security and walking to your platform.

Xi'an Railway Stations

Xi'an North Railway Station (西安北站)

  • Metro: Line 2 (终点站)
  • Taxi: CNY 50-80 to city center
  • Buses: Multiple routes available
  • Services: Luggage storage, restaurants, shops

Xi'an Railway Station (西安站)

  • Metro: Line 1, Line 4
  • Taxi: CNY 15-30 to city center
  • Walking: 15 min to Bell Tower
  • Nearby: Muslim Quarter, South Gate

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book high-speed train tickets?

Book via 12306.cn or trip.com. You need passport number for booking. Book 15-30 days ahead for peak seasons.

How long is the train from Beijing to Xi'an?

4.5-6 hours on high-speed rail. Fastest G-trains take about 4 hours 20 minutes. Second class around 515 RMB, first class 820 RMB.

How long is the train from Shanghai to Xi'an?

6-7.5 hours by high-speed rail. Fastest about 6 hours. Second class approximately 670 RMB. Overnight sleeper trains take 11-12 hours.

Xi'an Station or Xi'an North Station?

Xi'an North handles all high-speed G/D trains. Xi'an Station handles conventional trains. Always check your ticket. Xi'an North is 30-40 min from downtown by Metro Line 2.

Can foreigners buy tickets at the station?

Yes, bring your passport. Popular routes sell out fast, so advance booking online is recommended. During holidays, book at least 2 weeks ahead.