Route
Beijing to Xi'anXi'an to Beijing: take the train or fly?
1,216 km across the north China plain. The fastest trains do it in about 4h12, city centre to city centre — here's how that stacks up against flying, and how to book it.
Beijing 北京
Beijing West
Xi'an 西安
Xi'an North
- 2nd class
- from ¥515 ≈ $72
- business to ¥1,572
- Departures
- ~23/day
- 06:38–19:00
- Train types
- G · D
- Flight
- slower door-to-door
- Beijing airports are among China's most delay-prone
At about 4h12 centre to centre it's competitive with the 5–6 hours flying really takes, second class costs about the same as economy, and it's far more reliable. Fly only if you find a bargain fare well ahead, or you're connecting straight onto an international flight.
Compare
Train vs flight, side by side
| High-speed train | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest journey | ~4h 12m, station to station | ~2h 10m in the air |
| Realistic door to door | ~4h 30m – 5h (both stations are on the metro) | ~5h – 6h once you add both airports |
| Standard fare, one way | 2nd class from ¥515 ≈ $72 | Economy from ¥550 ≈ $76, usually more |
| Top class, one way | Business seat ~¥1,572 ≈ $218 | — |
| Departures per day | 23+ | ~40 |
| First / last departure | ~06:38 / ~19:00 | roughly 07:00 / 22:00 |
| On-time record | Keeps time in weather that grounds flights | Beijing airports are among China's most delay-prone |
Fares are indicative second-class / economy, one way, checked September 2026 at about ¥7.2 to US$1. Both move with the date and how far ahead you book.
Should you take the train or fly?
The train wins on total time and reliability, and the price is close. The fastest G-trains run Beijing–Xi’an in about 4 hours 12 minutes, dropping you on the metro at both ends. A flight is about 2h10 in the air, but Daxing or the capital airport, security, boarding and the ride into Xi’an realistically make it a 5–6 hour door-to-door trip — more if a Beijing departure slips, which they often do.
Price is close to a wash. Second class is around ¥515. Economy airfares can start lower and climb faster near the date and around holidays.
Fly when it genuinely helps: a real bargain fare booked well ahead, or a direct connection onto an international flight. Otherwise the train is the easier choice.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Trains run Beijing West (Beijingxi) to Xi’an North (Xi’anbei). Both are on the metro — Beijing West on lines 7 and 9, Xi’an North on line 2, which reaches the walled city in about half an hour.
How to book. Trip.com or the official 12306 app; choose “passport” as the ID type. The ticket is electronic — scan your passport at the gate, where foreign passports sometimes go to a staffed lane.
Seat classes. Second class (2+3) is fine for the trip. First class (2+2) buys more room; business (2+1, near flat) is the premium option and still lands under a flexible economy airfare.
Timing. Be at Beijing West 40 minutes before departure — it’s a big, busy station with an airport-style security scan.
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FAQ
Common questions
Is the train faster than flying Beijing to Xi'an?
Door to door, usually yes. The fastest trains are about 4h12 station to station, both on the metro. A flight is roughly 2h10 in the air but 5–6 hours once you count getting to Daxing or the capital airport, security, and the ride into Xi'an from its airport.
How much is the train?
Second class is about ¥480–593 depending on the train (≈ $67–82), first class around ¥770–950, business seat about ¥1,570–1,840. There are roughly 23 fast trains a day.
Which stations does it use?
Beijing West (Beijingxi) to Xi'an North (Xi'anbei). Not Beijing Station or Xi'an's central station — check the name on your ticket. Both HSR stations are on the local metro.
How far is Xi'an North from the city walls and the Terracotta Warriors?
Xi'an North is north of the city; metro line 2 reaches the walled centre in about 30 minutes. The Terracotta Army is east of the city — easiest by the tourist bus from Xi'an's central railway station, or a car.
Can I book with a foreign passport?
Yes. Book on Trip.com or the 12306 app and pick passport as the ID type. Your passport is your ticket at the gate.
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