The Price of Meals on the Tibet Train in 2026
The train journey to Tibet takes at least 20 hours and at most 40 to 50 hours, so the issue of meals has become an unavoidable topic for every tourist.
Have a Meal in the Train Dining Carriage
First of all, you need to know that each train has a dedicated dining carriage, but it is not open 24 hours a day. Generally speaking, breakfast: 07:30-08:30, lunch: 11:30-14:00, dinner: 17:30-19:00. The specific opening hours may vary slightly from site to site. Most trains to Tibet consist of 16 carriages. The dining car is fixed in carriage No. 9, and the carriages adjacent to it are either hard or soft sleeper carriages. One thing you need to know is that Western-style meals are hardly served on the train. Most of the meals are traditional Chinese main courses.
For breakfast, you can enjoy a Chinese-style breakfast that includes porridge, steamed buns, eggs and side dishes, which costs about 15 RMB. Alternatively, you also have options such as noodle soup, stir-fried noodles, and mixed noodles, and the price is approximately 20 RMB per meal.
For lunch and dinner, the staple food is mainly rice and the main dishes are freshly made hot ones, with a single dish price ranging from 25 to 40 yuan. The variety includes stir-fried seasonal vegetables, Sichuan-style delicacies, and nutritious soups.
The average cost per person in the dining car of a train is relatively high. Meanwhile, a dining car can only accommodate dozens of people. Therefore, tourists who want to use the dining car need to plan their time well and go to order food as early as possible.
Eat the Boxed Meals from the Attendant's Trolleys
The boxed meals sold by the train attendants' trolleys are mainly pre-prepared cold chain meals. After being made in the central kitchen and delivered at low temperatures, they are reheated in the microwave oven on the train for supply. Every mealtime, you can also hear the attendants pushing trolleys and selling boxed meals.
Budget range: 15 to 25 RMB (basic models, such as egg and shredded pork fried rice, simple meat and vegetable set meals). It is hard to purchase in actual vehicles and is often marked as "sold out".
Medium-priced range: 30 to 50 RMB (the most common price, including two meat dishes and one vegetable dish).
There are also some premium and special dishes available for over 50 RMB. In short, choosing to eat boxed meals is very suitable for those who don't have time to go to the dining carriage or when it is fully occupied.
Bringing Instant Food Is Very Suitable for Budget-Conscious Tourists
In addition to pushing the trolleys selling boxed meals, the attendants would also occasionally push the trolleys selling snacks, shuttling between carriages. Beverages include carbonated drinks, tea drinks, etc. Traditional snacks include melon seeds, peanuts, rice porridge, noodles, beef jerky, braised food, bread, and so on. The selling prices of these snacks are also relatively high. For instance, the price of instant noodles can reach around 10 RMB.
So actually, the most recommended way is to bring your own instant noodles and snacks that suit your taste. After all, there is edible hot water available 24 hours a day in each carriage.
Conclusion
Finally, you can check in the "Catering Services" section of the travel menu in the 12306app whether the train you are taking has a meal delivery service. Generally, most trains entering Tibet are green trains and do not offer this service. However, if your itinerary includes other bullet train trips, there is a high probability that you can order food. In this way, you will have more choices, and the average cost per person will be around 20 to 50 RMB. Just remember you need to order at least one hour in advance.
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39 Comment ON "The Price of Meals on the Tibet Train in 2026"
Asked by Jacob Keis** from N/A
Train booking
We are a group of 15 (perhaps 17) who need to take the June 8th 15:27 train from Xining to Lhasa. We need to book this soon so prompt reply would be helpful. We are getting our permits from an agent and should have them in 6-8 days.
Asked by Nirm** from Australia
Hi, I’m interested in doing the Mount Kailash tour. I only have holidays from 20/09 to 4/10 this year. Do you have a tour that includes these dates? How much would the tour be? Are the flights, visas, passes and permits included in your prices? Thank you kindly. Regards, Nirmala (Nationality: Australian Group Size: 1 person Arrival Date: 20/09/26) Nationality: Australian Group Size: 1 person Arrival Date: 20/09/26
Asked by An** from N/A
Best time to travel for the Linka festival
Hey, I'm looking to travel to the Linka festival with my partner. When is the best time to go this year? Thanks!
Asked by Goldliam Soo** from N/A
lm from nyc in the usa how much is your 13 day Mt Kai lash tour in September or June
Hi, lm from nyc in the usa how much is your 13 day Mt Kai lash tour in September or June? And approximately how much would would the airfare be round trip? Thank you
Asked by Liliana Me** from Macau
plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April
Hi! I would like to plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April (3rd to 10th ideally) to Nepal, Tibet, and, if possible, Bhutan. Do you think it would be doable? Based on what I read, there are some places/things to do to consider: Nepal: Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit, ancient temples, sacred sites like Lumbini, Kathmandu, Tibet: The Potala Palace in Lhasa and the Jokhang Temple. eventually the holy Mount Kailash or the high-altitude plains. Bhutan: Thimphu, Paro, and the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. To take part in cultural traditions, yoga, meditation... Of course I am open to any recommendations you could make. For your reference, we are both based in Asia: him, in Bangkok and myself in Macau. Thank you so much for the information you could provide and, if possible, an estimated budget for your offer.
Asked by Ke** from Singapore
Cycling Tour to Mt Kailash
Hi , we are planning a Cycling Trip once Tibet opens for Tourism. The plan is we shall arrive to Kathmandu , travel to the border and enter via Kerung. Can you pls send a day to day Itinerary starting from Kerung - Lake Manasarovar - Darchen - Asthapath. We shall go around Kailash on foot and resume Cycling back to Kerung. We are a Group of 6-8 persons. Thanks Pls send ur reply to Kevin
Asked by Debo** from USA
Please can you tell me the prices and dates for the Tibet Luxury Tour.
Also, could you please provide a detailed itinerary - I want to see how many hours are spent on buses/vehicles. Thank you! Deborah
Asked by S** from HongKong
Tibet Tour from HK
May I know if holding Mainland Travel Permit for HK Residents. is it also need to get the visa permit to Tibet and what is the procedure if need to apply? Thank you
Asked by Na** from USA
Is Kailash Mansarovar Trip open for Indian Passport Holder?
Is it open for Indian Passport Holder?
Asked by A** from Singapore
Enquiry on private tour
We are planning a trip from Hong Kong to Tibet during the 12th to 21st of April. We want a private tour that covers all the scenic places as well as the EBC. Please advise an itinerary along with the cost breakdown. Thanks.