Route
Xi'an to LuoyangLuoyang to Xi'an: take the train or fly?
Around 90 minutes links the two great capitals of early China. It pairs the Terracotta Army with the Longmen Grottoes in a single trip, and the Luoyang end drops you almost at the cave temples themselves.
Luoyang 洛阳
Luoyang Longmen
Xi'an 西安
Xi'an North
- 2nd class
- from ¥175 ≈ $24
- business to ¥550
- Departures
- ~80/day
- 07:00–21:00
- Train types
- G · D
- Flight
- no flights — too short
About 75–100 high-speed trains a day cover the 380 km in 1h15–2h. There's no worthwhile flight, and the Luoyang station — Luoyang Longmen — is a few minutes from the Longmen Grottoes, so the journey ends where you want to be.
Should you take the train or fly?
Take the train. It’s 380 km, about 1h15 on the fastest G-trains and up to two hours on the ones that stop more. Somewhere between 75 and 100 high-speed trains run each day, nearly all from Xi’an North, spread from early morning to around 21:00 — the evening is thinner than on the big trunk lines, so check the last departure if you’re travelling late.
Flying makes no sense over this distance, and the train’s Luoyang station puts you almost at the Longmen Grottoes, which a flight would not.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Trains run Xi’an North (Xi’anbei) — metro lines 2 and 4, well north of the Bell Tower and the Muslim Quarter — to Luoyang Longmen (Luoyanglongmen), which sits about 3 km from the Longmen Grottoes and roughly 7 km south of Luoyang’s old town and the Luoyang Museum. If your hotel is in central Luoyang, allow 20–30 minutes by taxi or bus from the station.
Pairing the two cities. The standard route is Xi’an first — Terracotta Army, the city walls, the Muslim Quarter — then Luoyang for the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. The Shaolin Temple near Dengfeng is a day trip from the Luoyang side. In April, Luoyang’s peony festival fills the trains and hotels.
Booking. Trip.com or the 12306 app, passport as the ID type, electronic ticket scanned at the gate. Second class is comfortable for the ride. Fares and timetables move around a little — confirm on 12306 or Trip.com when you book.
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FAQ
Common questions
How long is the train from Xi'an to Luoyang?
About 1 hour 15 minutes on the fastest G-trains, and 1.5 to 2 hours on services with more stops. Roughly 75 to 100 high-speed trains run each day, most from Xi'an North.
How much does it cost?
Second class is about ¥175 on the G-trains (a little less on the slower D-trains). First class is around ¥280 and a business seat about ¥550.
Which stations does it use?
High-speed trains run Xi'an North (Xi'anbei) to Luoyang Longmen (Luoyanglongmen). Xi'an North is on metro lines 2 and 4, north of the walled city. Luoyang Longmen is about 3 km from the Longmen Grottoes and roughly 7 km south of Luoyang's old town.
Can I see the Terracotta Army and the Longmen Grottoes on one trip?
Yes — that's the usual reason to ride this line. Base yourself in Xi'an for the Army, the city walls and the Muslim Quarter, then take the train to Luoyang for the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple, with the Shaolin Temple reachable from there via Dengfeng.
Should I fly?
No. It's 380 km and about 90 minutes by train, arriving next to the grottoes; any air option would be slower door-to-door and far less convenient.
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