How to Get from Xi'an to Beijing
Compare high speed trains and flights from Xi'an to Beijing. Find the cheapest tickets, travel times, and booking tips for your China trip.
Contents
Leaving behind the ancient city walls of Xi'an for the sprawling imperial grandeur of Beijing is a journey through the heart of Chinese history. While Xi'an offers a glimpse into the Tang Dynasty and the silent ranks of the Terracotta Army, Beijing serves as the political and cultural core of the modern nation. This route connects two of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
The transition from Shaanxi province to the capital crosses a vast stretch of northern China. Whether you prefer the convenience of the high speed rail network or the speed of a domestic flight, both are well developed on this corridor. The right choice depends on whether you value door to door convenience or the shortest time in the air.
Xi'an to Beijing by Train
On 20 October 2026, China Railway's 12306 listed 38 trains from Xi'an to Beijing. Most high speed G-series trains leave from Xi'an North and arrive at Beijing West. The fastest, G324 at 18:22 and G352 at 18:27, took 4 hours 10 minutes, and G368 at 14:26 took 4 hours 11 minutes. The slowest G-series train on the list took 6 hours 45 minutes and arrived at Beijing North.[1]
High Speed Trains
High speed trains sell business, first and second class seats.[1] Fares appear when you book on 12306 or through GoAsia.cc, and they change with the date and the train.
Sleeper Trains
If you prefer to save a night of accommodation, overnight trains with sleeper berths run between Xi'an and Beijing. D44 leaves Xi'an at 20:35 and arrives at Beijing West at 08:23 (11 hours 48 minutes), D42 leaves at 20:23 and arrives at 08:49, and D40 leaves at 17:31 and arrives at 06:00. D16 leaves Xi'an East at 23:34 and arrives at Beijing West at 12:16, and T56 leaves at 20:30 and arrives at Beijing Fengtai at 10:23 the next morning (13 hours 53 minutes).[1] You can book your preferred class and seat on GoAsia.cc.
Xi'an to Beijing by Flight
Flying takes from about 1 hour 55 minutes, and up to about 2 hours 45 minutes on some flights. Flights depart from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) and land at either Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX). Booking platforms list 28 daily departures between 06:30 and 22:00 (October 2026), and one-way Economy fares from about $85 (October 2026).[2]
While the flight time is short, it is important to factor in the time required for airport transfers, security checks and check-in. In Beijing, Daxing lies south of the city and is linked to the center by the Daxing Airport railway line from Caoqiao, which takes 19 minutes, and Capital Airport is served by airport buses and airport express lines.[3][4]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| High speed train | Shown when booking on 12306 | From 4h 10min[1] | Xi'an North to Beijing West |
| Overnight sleeper train | Shown when booking on 12306 | About 11h 48min - 13h 53min[1] | Xi'an or Xi'an East to Beijing West or Fengtai |
| Flight (Economy) | From about $85 (October 2026)[2] | From 1h 55min | Xi'an Xianyang (XIY) to Beijing PEK or PKX |
Tips for Traveling from Xi'an to Beijing
- Book in Advance: Train tickets are on sale 15 days ahead for travel until 29 December 2026, and 30 days ahead for travel from 30 December 2026. Popular trains sell out quickly, so book early.[1]
- Station Logistics: Xi'an has several stations. Most high speed trains leave from Xi'an North, while some overnight trains leave from Xi'an or Xi'an East. Double check your ticket to ensure you go to the correct station.[1]
- ID Requirements: Foreign passengers buy real-name tickets with a valid passport and must show the same passport to enter the station and board the train.[5]
- Beijing Airport Choice: If you fly, check which airport you arrive at. Daxing (PKX) is south of the city, while Capital (PEK) is closer to the northeastern districts.
Timetable
| Flight Xian - Beijing $ 85.00–468.63 1h 55m – 2h 45m | |
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| Train Xian - Beijing $ 34.90–67.14 11h 47m – 13h 5m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Xian to Beijing, including current prices and schedules.
Flights are listed on booking platforms from about $85 one way in October 2026. Train fares are shown on China Railway's 12306 when you book, so compare both for your date.
The flight is the fastest in the air, from about 1 hour 55 minutes. However, when you include airport transfers and security, the high speed train, from about 4 hours 10 minutes, is often just as efficient.
Flights take about 2 to 3 hours, high speed trains take from about 4 hours 10 minutes, and overnight sleeper trains take about 11 hours 48 minutes to 13 hours 53 minutes.
Most high speed trains to Beijing depart from Xi'an North. Some overnight trains leave from Xi'an railway station or Xi'an East, so check the station on your ticket.
The high speed train is generally recommended, because it avoids the transfers and waiting of an airport trip, and it takes only a little over 4 hours. A flight is worth considering if you are connecting to another flight at Beijing's airports.
Yes. Foreign passengers buy real-name train tickets with a valid passport and must show the same passport to enter the station and board the train. You also need your passport for flights.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Xian to Beijing, 20 October 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: Xian - Beijing timetable (flight). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [3] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: Daxing Airport. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: PEK Transport Between Airport and City Guide. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [5] China Railway (12306): 12306 FAQ. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.