How to Get from Xi'an to Urumqi
Compare flights and trains from Xi'an to Urumqi. Find the best prices, travel times, and booking tips for your Silk Road adventure.
Photo: 螺钉 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
Leaving the ancient imperial capital of Xi'an for Xinjiang feels like crossing a bridge between two worlds. Xi'an has its terracotta warriors and Ming-era city walls; Urumqi is the gateway to Central Asia, where the air turns dry and the culture takes on a Silk Road flavour. The journey runs from the fertile Guanzhong Plain through the Hexi Corridor and into the Gobi Desert.
You can cover it in a few hours by plane or settle into a long rail journey that follows the old caravan routes. Either way, it is a classic way to watch eastern China give way to the ethnically diverse west.
Xi'an to Urumqi by Train
The train is the experience of the two. On 27 October 2026 China Railway listed 12 trains from Xi'an to Urumqi. Eleven are Z and T trains that leave Xi'an between 04:52 and 13:00 and arrive the next morning or afternoon, after 23h55 (Z41) to 26h16 (Z65) on the rails, a full day and a night across the desert. One high speed train, D2717, leaves Xi'an North at 08:30 and reaches Urumqi at 22:47 the same day, in 14h17.[1]
On most trains a hard seat costs 263.5 yuan, a hard sleeper 446.5 yuan and a soft sleeper 704.5 yuan; Z361 and Z179 charge 268.5, 455.5 and 718.5 yuan. Deluxe soft sleeper on Z595 and Z41 is 1,305.5 yuan. D2717 sells second class for 736 yuan and first class for 1,167 yuan.[1]
Sleeper Classes and Comfort
For the long haul, most travellers book a sleeper berth. The Soft Sleeper is the most comfortable standard option, a compartment with four bunks and a door that closes. The Deluxe Soft Sleeper is available on a few departures and has a two-berth cabin; these sell out quickly. The Hard Sleeper is a bunk in an open carriage with six beds per bay. It has no door, but it is a sociable way to travel and perfectly safe for solo travellers.
Budget Options
The Hard Seat and Standing tickets are the cheapest way to reach Urumqi, but a full day upright is tiring and best kept for shorter stretches of the route. In return you get an unfiltered look at local life, with passengers sharing snacks and stories along the way.
Xi'an to Urumqi by Flight
If your time in China is short, flying is the practical choice. Flights run from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) to Urumqi Tianshan International Airport (URC, renamed from Diwopu in 2025)[2] and take from about 3.5 hours. On booking platforms, economy fares start at about $180 (October 2026), and prices rise in peak season and close to departure.[3]
On the approach to Urumqi you see the Tianshan Mountains from the window. From the airport it is a short ride to the city centre and on to the Heavenly Lake or the Grand Bazaar.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Sleeper) | From 446.5 yuan (hard sleeper)[1] | From 23h55[1] | Medium to High |
| Train (Seat) | From 263.5 yuan (hard seat)[1] | From 23h55[1] | Low |
| High speed train (D2717) | 736 yuan (second class)[1] | 14h17[1] | High |
| Flight (Economy) | From about $180[3] | From about 3.5h[3] | High |
Tips for Traveling from Xi'an to Urumqi
- Book in Advance: This is a popular route for tourists and for people travelling home. Soft Sleepers in particular sell out early.
- Carry Identification: Expect ID checks at the airport and at train stations in Xinjiang. Keep your passport handy.
- Hydration is Key: Urumqi is much drier than Xi'an. Bring moisturiser, lip balm and a reusable water bottle.
- Food Strategy: Stock up on snacks, instant noodles and fruit at the Xi'an station before you board.
- Time Zones: All of China officially uses Beijing Time, but many locals in Urumqi go by an unofficial Xinjiang Time. Check which clock a meeting or bus departure follows.
Timetable
| Flight Xian - Urumqi $ 181.59–398.92 3h 30m – 5h 45m | |
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| Train Xian - Urumqi $ 42.39–190.66 23h 55m – 1days 2h 42m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Xian to Urumqi, including current prices and schedules.
The train is the cheapest way. A hard seat costs 263.5 yuan on most trains, though it means a very long journey without a bed. Flights start at about $180 on booking platforms (October 2026).
Flying is the fastest, from about 3.5 hours. The fastest train, the high speed D2717, takes 14h17, and the Z and T trains take 23h55 to 26h16.
A flight takes from about 3.5 hours. The D2717 high speed train takes 14h17, and the Z and T trains take about 24 to 26 hours.
Yes. The line crosses the Hexi Corridor and the deserts of Gansu and Xinjiang, with mountains and open desert along the way.
Yes. Hard Sleeper has six beds per open bay, Soft Sleeper has four beds in a closed compartment, and Deluxe Soft Sleeper has two beds in a private cabin on some departures.
Expect ID checks at the airport, at train stations and at some public buildings. Keep your passport within easy reach.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Xian to Urumqi, 27 October 2026. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [2] People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: Urumqi Tianshan International Airport officially approved (name change from Diwopu). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] 12Go: 12Go timetable Xian - Urumqi. Retrieved October 26, 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.