Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Generally it needs three days to get the Tibet permit if you could supply the full necessary documents. And it needs another 3 days (or more) to Express Deliver the permit. I don't think you have enough time.

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2

They likely don't know what they're talking about. The Tibet permit must be gotten through a travel agent and, like #1 says, usually takes a few days to process. Usually you cannot buy a train ticket on your own without the permit. It is possible to buy a ticket through a Chinese friend- as you seem to have done- but they often check if you have the permit on the train, though not all the time.
Even if that agent isn't lying to sell you a ticket even though they can't get a permit, and the ticket office really did say that, it still doesn't necessarily mean you don't need the permit anymore. In the summer the Zhongdian bus station began selling tickets to Tibet to foreigners, even though there was no actual change in policy. It doesn't hurt them to sell more tickets; it will only hurt you when you get caught.
But I do think the agent cheated you, since it sound like they don't even know what the permit is. My advice is find a place to get a permit ASAP or return the ticket.
Read #74 on the FAQ for details on the Tibet permit.

3

Sounds like your travel agency is clueless about the permit. All foreigners are still required to have the permit BEFORE they board the train. You can't get it on the train.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

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4

katiavokrugmira, keep a low profile on the train, if they start searching, go to the bathroom. If that doesnt work, slip them Y50 or something.

Keep going and you'll eventually make it..

5

Just curious, which hostel in Shanghai did you go through?
Cheers!

6

Slip them Y50 is unlikely to work, though acting dumb and surprised will.

7

id agree with both #'s 4 & 6.
i actually got the train about a month ago. no mention of permits anywhere and no one asked. got on in lanzhou with a ticket i bought myself at the station.
if anyone asks just tell em the story and be prepared to pay a small fee to rectify the situation.