Traveling from Beijing to Xi’an is one of those classic China tours that feels almost like stepping through a timeline—one minute you’re exploring the Imperial Palace and the Great Wall, and a few hours later you’re standing face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors. The two cities are far enough apart to feel totally different, yet close enough that the trip is super easy to fit into any China itinerary. Plan to travel to Xi’an after your Beijing tour? You’ll want to read this!

The Distance from Beijing to Xi’an

The distance between Beijing and Xi’an depends on how you decide to get there. If you’re looking at it on a map, the straight-line distance between the two city centers is roughly 900 km—so they’re not exactly neighbors. 

Hit the highway and it stretches to around 1,090–1,160 km, depending on which route you take. Hop on one of the high-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an, and every route clocks in at a little over 1,000 km (but still under 1,200), which explains why the ride takes about 4.5–6 hours. By air, it’s even shorter—planes cover roughly 900–905 km—but once you include airport transfers and check-in, the total travel time ends up surprisingly close to the train.

Trains from Beijing to Xi’an

If you ask any traveler or even locals about the best way to travel from Beijing to Xi’an, the answer almost always points to the train—especially the Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train. It’s fast, clean, extremely reliable, and honestly one of the best train journeys to travel around China.

The trip by bullet train from Beijing to Xi’an takes 4.5-6 hours, depending on which G-series train you take—the same goes for the trip back from Xi’an to Beijing. Trains mostly depart from Beijing West Railway Station and arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station, both connected directly to metro lines. Once you hop off the train in Xi’an, you can reach the city center in 25–30 minutes.

Beijing to Xi’an High-Speed Train

About 20 high-speed trains run from Beijing to Xi’an a day, so you never really feel stressed about getting a seat. The fastest ones—like G55, G59, G91, G89, and G667—all leave from Beijing West, glide past Shijiazhuang and Zhengzhou East, and roll into Xi’an North Station in just about 4 hours and 10 minutes. 

Beijing to Xi’an High-Speed Train Schedule

Here’s a quick look at the Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train time and schedule so you know exactly what to expect.

Beijing to Xi’an High-Speed Train Cost

The cost for a Beijing to Xi’an high-speed train depends on the train and the time of day. Typically, it starts from about CNY 515.5 for a second-class seat. 

>> Recommended 16-day China speed train discovery tour with Beijing and Xi’an

Overnight Trains from Beijing to Xi’an

Overnight trains are slower but great for a Xi’an tour from Beijing if you want to save a night’s hotel cost or experience China’s classic sleeper trains. They run from Beijing West or Beijing Fengtai railway stations and arrive at Xi’an Railway Station, right near the ancient city wall.

Beijing to Xi’an Overnight Train Schedule

Beijing to Xi’an Overnight Train Cost

Book a Train from Beijing to Xi’an

Booking a Beijing to Xi’an train ticket is honestly pretty easy. The official 12306 app works (there’s an English version), but most travelers find Trip.com quicker. You choose a train, pay online, and use your passport to enter the station—no paper ticket needed. 

Tips for Booking a China Train Ticket on 12306

1. Tickets open 15 days ahead. You don’t need to plan super early—just grab them within that 15-day window for your Beijing Xi’an tour.
2. Avoid big holidays if you can. Chinese New Year, National Day, and Labor Day are crazy busy. If you have to travel, aim for early morning, late night, or weekday trains.
3. Changing your ticket is easy. As long as the train hasn’t left and seats are available, you can switch to another time or train directly in the app with no extra fee.
4. Refunds are simple, too. The earlier you cancel, the less you pay—cancel more than 8 days ahead and you’ll basically get everything back.
5. Once you’ve got your return date set, it’s smart to purchase your Xi’an to Beijing tickets at the same time.

>> Read more about the China train travel guide

Fly from Beijing to Xi’an

If you're short on time, flying from Beijing to Xi’an can seem like the fastest option. Both PEK (Capital Airport) and PKX (Daxing Airport) have dozens of daily flights to Xi’an. The actual flight time from Beijing to Xi’an or Xi’an to Beijing is just 2–2.5 hours, but the whole trip—from hotel to airport to boarding to landing—usually takes 4–6 hours. Prices for Beijing to Xi’an airfare bounce between CNY 400–1,200, depending on season and how early you book.

Beijing to Xi’an Flight Schedule

China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines operate multiple daily flights from Beijing to Xi'an and Xi’an to Beijing. You can choose according to your schedule.

Buses from Beijing to Xi’an​ 

If you’re planning a bus tour from Beijing to Xi’an, you can catch one at either Liuliqiao or Yongdingmen Bus Station. Tickets usually run around 280 RMB, and the trip takes roughly 12 hours—though it can vary depending on traffic and weather. It’s smart to get your tickets a couple of days in advance. If you’re thinking about the return trip from Xi'an to Beijing, you can buy your ticket at Xi’an Bus Station. Just a heads-up: schedules and prices can change, so check everything before you head out.

>> Recommended 5-day Beijing Xi’an highlights tour

Best Time to Visit Beijing and Xi’an

The best time to visit Beijing and Xi’an is during spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when the weather is mild and the surroundings are at their most beautiful. Summer can be hot and crowded, and winter—especially January and February—can be bitterly cold up north. See more about Beijing weather and Xi’an weather.

How to Plan a Beijing and Xi’an Tour

Planning a Xi’an tour from Beijing is actually way easier than it sounds. If you’re pressed for time, you can totally do a day trip to Xi’an from Beijing—catch an early flight, check out the Terracotta Warriors, stroll along the Ancient Xi’an City Walls, and still be back the same evening. Want to take it a bit slower? A 2-day tour from Beijing to Xi'an lets you hit the highlights, explore the Muslim Quarter, and enjoy Xi’an nightlife. Got 3 days or more? Go for a Beijing to Xi’an train tour, with comfortable and scenic routes and plenty of time to explore both cities.

Still confused? Don’t worry—Easy Tour China can customize Beijing and Xi’an tours that’s just right for you. Or you can browse our ready-made China tours with Beijing and Xi’an to get some inspiration.

8-Day Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai Tour

A 13-Day Journey through China’s Ancient Capitals

Beijing to Xi’an FAQs

1. What is the cheapest way to get from Beijing to Xi’an?

The regular train (not the high-speed one) is the cheapest way to travel from Beijing to Xi’an.

2. Can foreigners buy train tickets on 12306?

Yes. Simply install the 12306 English version on your phone, register an account, do the “real-name verification” by uploading a picture of your passport and a selfie (holding your passport), and you can buy your tickets.

3. How to travel from Beijing to Xi’an Terracotta Warriors?

You can take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an first, then take Metro Line 2 to Longshouyuan Station. Walk for 2 minutes to Longshouyuan Bus Station and take a direct bus to the Terracotta Warriors.