China train guide · checked October 2026
Xi'an to Chengdu by train (and back)
Since the Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed line opened in December 2017, the trip through the Qinling mountains takes 3–4 hours instead of most of a day.
- Journey timeabout 3–4 hours
- Fastest train3 h 5 min
- Second classfrom ¥269 (about 157 PLN) – up to ¥300
- How oftenabout 60 high-speed trains a day from Xi'an North
Timetable and fares
Direct high-speed trains (G, D and C) on a normal weekday, from the China Railway 12306 timetable for Wednesday 4 November 2026.
| Trains a day | 60 (Xi'an North → Chengdu East); 11 more from Xi'an East |
|---|---|
| First and last train | 06:33 / 19:58 |
| Fastest train | 3 h 5 min (G321) |
| Typical journey | 3 h 49 min |
| Second class | ¥269–300 |
| First class | ¥430–481 |
| Business class | ¥829–995 |
| Chengdu → Xi'an | 59 trains, 06:09–18:52, fastest 3 h 9 min (G322) |
Fares vary by train and time of day, and timetables change several times a year – check Trip.com or 12306 before you book.
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
About 15 km north of the city walls – metro line 2 to the Bell Tower in about 30 minutes. Some trains leave from the newer Xi'an East station.
On the east side of the city – metro lines 2 and 7; about 20 minutes to Chunxi Road on line 2.
Good to know
- Take a morning train: you'll be in Chengdu by early afternoon and can visit the Panda Base the next morning, when the pandas are most active.
- Most trains leave from Xi'an North, but some use Xi'an East (西安东站) – check your ticket.
Train or plane?
Flights take about 1.5 hours, but Chengdu's main airport, Tianfu, is about 50 km from the centre, so door to door the train – 3–4 hours from city to city – is usually just as quick and less hassle.
On the way
South of Xi'an the line climbs straight into the Qinling mountains – the divide between northern and southern China – mostly through long tunnels, with glimpses of steep green valleys. After Hanzhong and Guangyuan it drops into the Sichuan basin.
When you arrive
From Chengdu East take metro line 2 to Chunxi Road (about 20 minutes) for Taikoo Li and the city centre. For the Giant Panda Base, line 3 to Panda Avenue is the easiest – plan it for an early morning.
Chengdu to Xi'an by train
Trains back to Xi'an leave from Chengdu East (成都东站), on metro lines 2 and 7 – set off about an hour before departure. Most end at Xi'an North, some at Xi'an East – check your ticket. Times and fares are the same in both directions.
How to book
- 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.
Trip.com and 12306 step by step, classes and seats, refunds, changes and the station: How to buy train tickets in China. For hotels and flights with a foreign passport: Hotels, trains and flights in China.
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
How long is the train from Xi'an to Chengdu?
The fastest train (G321) takes 3 h 5 min, and a typical journey takes about 3 h 49 min. There are 60 direct trains a day from Xi'an North to Chengdu East, the first at 06:33 and the last at 19:58.
How much is a train ticket from Xi'an to Chengdu?
Usually ¥269–300 in second class, ¥430–481 in first class and ¥829–995 in business class. Fares from the 12306 timetable for Wednesday 4 November 2026; they vary by train and time of day.
Is it better to take the train or fly from Xi'an to Chengdu?
Flights take about 1.5 hours, but Chengdu's main airport, Tianfu, is about 50 km from the centre, so door to door the train – 3–4 hours from city to city – is usually just as quick and less hassle.
Is the train from Xi'an to Chengdu scenic?
Partly: the line crosses the Qinling mountains, but much of it runs in tunnels, so expect short glimpses of green valleys rather than a panoramic ride.
How do I combine Xi'an, Chengdu and Chongqing?
Take the train Xi'an → Chengdu (3–4 hours) and then Chengdu → Chongqing (1–1.5 hours), or go the other way round. Our Emperors & Hotpot itinerary goes from Xi'an straight to Chongqing.