China Rail Guide

Xi'an to Chengdu by Train

By China Rail Guide Updated 2026-05-29 Fares verified May 2026 against China Railway (12306)

Fastest
3h 07m
Distance
658 km
Trains/day
40+
From
$40
Route map showing the 658 km rail route from Xi'an to Chengdu, China Xi'an Chengdu 658 km
Xi'an → Chengdu rail route · 658 km · base map © Amap (高德地图)

Xi’an to Chengdu is a ~660 km high-speed line through the Qinling Mountains, with around 40 trains a day. The fastest G-trains link Xi’an North and Chengdu East in about 3 hours.

At a glance

  • Fastest G-trains take about 3 hours; most run 3.5 to 4 hours.
  • Around 40 daily trains, plus a few overnight sleeper services.
  • Departs Xi’an North (西安北), arrives Chengdu East (成都东), both on the metro.
  • Second Class is comfortable; the scenic mountain section is a highlight.

Fastest, or cheapest?

This route runs more than one type of train — here's the trade-off:

Train typeFastestFromBest for
G — High-speed 3h 07m ¥263 / $37 Fastest
D — Express EMU ~3h 28m ¥210 / $30 Cheaper

Fares by class

High-speed (G/C) seat classes on the main service:

ClassPrice (CNY)Approx. (USD)
Second Class ¥285 $40
First Class ¥455 $64
Business Class ¥829 $117

Official China Railway (12306) fares for Xi’an North–Chengdu East G-trains. The fastest 3-hour services cost a little more (Second Class ¥300); overnight sleeper D-trains from ¥270.

Stations & train types

Trains depart from Xi'an North and arrive at Chengdu East. Direct trains run this route.

  • G — High-speed (up to 350 km/h)
  • D — Express EMU (200–260 km/h)

Train or flight from Xi'an to Chengdu?

A flight looks quicker on paper, but China's domestic flights ask you to arrive about 2 hours early, and airports sit well outside the city. High-speed trains leave from a central station with quick security. Most trains take 3h 10m – 4 hours (fastest non-stop 3h 07m). Counting the whole door-to-door trip:

🚄 High-speed train ✈️ Flight
On board / in the air 3h 7m ~1h 35m
Getting there & through + ~30m (central station, fast security) + 2h arrive early, + ~1h30m to/from airports
Realistic door-to-door ~3h 37m ~5h 5m
Our pick: take the train. Door-to-door it's about 3h 37m versus 5h 5m flying — and you arrive in the city centre, with no check-in queues or weather delays. On this corridor the high-speed train is the easy choice.

Flight time is estimated from route distance; airport arrival and transfer times are typical for China domestic travel.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Xi’an to Chengdu?

The fastest G-trains take about 3 hours; most run 3.5 to 4 hours.

How much is a Xi’an to Chengdu train ticket?

Second Class is about ¥285 (~$40), First Class ¥455, and Business Class ¥829 on Xi’an North–Chengdu East G-trains. Overnight sleeper trains start lower. These are official China Railway (12306) fares.

Which stations do Xi’an–Chengdu trains use?

High-speed trains run from Xi’an North to Chengdu East, both connected to the metro.

Schedule and fares reflect China Railway (12306) official services, last verified 2026-05 against live booking data. Times and prices can change — confirm when you book.