Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Hi,

I am in Chengdu trying to get a train to Lhasa, from what I have researched/heard, the situation right now is the same for anywhere in China, which is that it is virtually impossible to get a train ticket to Lhasa without booking a tour group. One can possibly get one through an agency via the black market 10 days ahead of departure, but the pirce will be like a couple hundred rmb more than the actual ticket price. In Chengdu the ticket to Lhasa was 700, the black market price will be 1000 and even 1000 is extremely hard to get. However, the planet ticket here with discount is 1300rmb and one can order 2 days ahead of time and be okay. So I am going to ride the plane there, as it is pretty much the only possible route.

2

The problem with the train is just the route Beijing-Lhasa, if you go the other way it should not be a problem. This is that you should be able to easyly buy a train tiket to beijing 5 to 10 days ahead.

3

#1's advice is no good for OP who is traveling the other way.
Have a look at #3's other posts and I'll bet you a dollar he's posting on here hoping no-one suspects he's a tout for the co he promotes every post.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

4

I did the 8 day tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa at the end of April this year (it was awesome!) A friend, I met on the tour and I walked (from the old part of the city) to the ticket agency in Lhasa (its in LP) and bought our tickets no worries, mine to Guanzhuo (to go to Hong Kong) his to Beijing. There was a bit of 'toing froing' on available days, but we both got tickets within 2 days of when we wanted to go, but they wouldn't let us book more than 5 days in advance. The opening hours of the ticket agency are a bit strange though...posted in Chinese and seem to be variable, so you might have to wait around if you go in the middle of the day, but there is a good dumpling shop just up the road!

People with the powers of observation are often called cynics by those that don't have them. G.B.S

5

Sorry westwood, I don't understand the second part of your post. when you say "he" are you talking about post #3 or #1?

thanks

6

Not you friskies. The post referred to seems to have gone. Another one banned for touting. That often makes following the posts a bit confusing.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.