China train guide · checked October 2026
Beijing to Xi'an by train
The high-speed line from Beijing to Xi'an crosses the plains of Hebei and Henan in about five hours – city centre to city centre it is usually quicker than flying.
- Journey timeabout 4.5–5.5 hours
- Fastest train4.5 h
- Second classfrom ¥515 (about 299 PLN) – up to ¥650
- How oftendozens of high-speed trains a day
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
Most G trains to Xi'an leave from Beijing West (metro lines 7 and 9).
About 15 km north of the city walls – metro line 2 runs straight to the Bell Tower in about 30 minutes.
Good to know
- Take a morning train and you can see the city walls or the Muslim Quarter the same afternoon.
- Second class has seats A–C and D–F: A and F are by the window.
Other ways: Flights (Beijing – Xi'an XIY) take about 2 hours, but with the airport transfers on both ends they rarely save time.
On the way
South of Beijing the line runs past Shijiazhuang, crosses the Yellow River just before Zhengzhou and then turns west through Luoyang, home of the Longmen Grottoes. Most of the way the view is flat farmland – a good time to plan your first evening in Xi'an.
When you arrive
Take metro line 2 to Zhonglou (Bell Tower) and stay inside the city walls: the walls, the Bell and Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter are then all within walking distance. Cycling the 14 km of walls takes about 2 hours (ticket about ¥54, bike hire about ¥45 for 3 hours). The Terracotta Army is about an hour east of the centre, so save it for a separate morning.
How to book
- Beijing – Xi'an is one of the busiest lines in China: for Chinese New Year, the May Day holiday and Golden Week in October, book as soon as sales open.
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is the train or the plane better from Beijing to Xi'an?
Usually the train: about 5 hours from Beijing West, in the city, to Xi'an North, 30 minutes by metro from the Bell Tower. The flight takes 2 hours, but with airport transfers and security it ends up about the same.
Is there a night train from Beijing to Xi'an?
Yes, overnight sleeper trains take about 9–12 hours, which saves a night in a hotel. Choose a soft sleeper (软卧) for a four-berth compartment.
