Last checked: 2026-07-07

Xi'an to Luoyang: Train vs Flight – What Actually Works for First-Time Visitors

You've just spent three days staring at the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and now you're heading east to Luoyang for the Longmen Grottoes. The distance is only about 380 kilometers (240 miles) as the crow flies. You pull up Trip.com and see both high-speed trains and flights. Which one do you book?

For most international first-time visitors, the high-speed train is the better choice. But not always. Here's what actually matters.

Quick Answer

Take the high-speed train (G-series) from Xi'an North Station to Luoyang Longmen Station. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, costs around ¥175-¥300 ($24-$42 USD) for a second-class seat, and drops you right in Luoyang's city center. The total door-to-door time, including getting to stations and security, is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.

Fly only if you're already at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) or if you have a tight connection to another flight. The flight itself is 1 hour, but add 1+ hour to get to the airport from Xi'an city center, arrive 2 hours early for security, and then another 40-60 minutes from Luoyang Beijiao Airport (LYA) into town. Total door-to-door: 4-5 hours. Tickets range from ¥300-¥800 ($42-$112 USD) depending on how early you book.

Best for most people: Train.

Best for travelers already at the airport or with flight connections: Flight.

What To Know Before You Decide

Train Details

• Station: Xi'an North Station (西安北站) is on Metro Line 2 and Line 4. From the city center (Bell Tower area), it's about 30-40 minutes by metro. From the Muslim Quarter, add 10-15 minutes walking to the metro.
• Arrival: Luoyang Longmen Station (洛阳龙门站) is right next to the Longmen Grottoes. It's a 10-minute taxi or bus ride to the grottoes, and about 20-30 minutes to Luoyang's old town or city center.
• Booking: Book on Trip.com or 12306.cn. Second-class seats are fine for this short ride. First-class is about ¥100 more but gives you wider seats and less crowding.
• Language: Station signs are in Chinese and English. Announcements are in Mandarin and English on most G-trains.
• Payment: You need a Chinese app (Alipay or WeChat Pay) to buy tickets on Trip.com, or a foreign credit card on 12306.cn (which can be finicky). Many travelers find Trip.com easier.
• Crowding: Xi'an North Station is huge and busy. Give yourself 20-30 minutes to find your platform. Luoyang Longmen is smaller and easier to navigate.

Flight Details

• Airports: Xi'an Xianyang (XIY) is about 40-60 minutes from Xi'an city center by taxi or metro (Line 14). Luoyang Beijiao (LYA) is about 20-30 minutes from Luoyang city center by taxi.
• Airlines: China Eastern, China Southern, Tianjin Airlines, and others. Flights are often on smaller planes (Airbus A320 or Boeing 737).
• Booking: Trip.com works well. Prices fluctuate wildly. Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead for decent fares.
• Hassle: You need to arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights in China. Security is thorough. Luggage restrictions apply (usually 20kg checked, 7kg carry-on).
• Delays: Domestic flights in China are frequently delayed, especially in summer or winter weather. The train is more reliable.

The Real Trade-Off

The train wins on convenience, cost, and reliability. The flight only wins if you're already at the airport or if you have a tight connection to an international flight out of Xi'an. For a first-time visitor, the train is simpler: no airport transfer, no 2-hour early arrival, no luggage weight worries.

Step-by-Step Plan

If You Take the Train

Book your ticket on Trip.com at least 1-2 days in advance. Same-day tickets are often available but risk selling out during holidays (Chinese New Year, National Day, Labor Day).

Get to Xi'an North Station via Metro Line 2 or 4. From the Bell Tower, it's about 30 minutes. From the Muslim Quarter, walk to Beidajie Station (Line 2) and ride north.

Enter the station with your passport and e-ticket (QR code on your phone). Go through security (bags scanned, metal detector).

Find your platform on the big board. Follow signs. Trains usually board 15-20 minutes before departure.

Ride. Second-class seats are 3+2 configuration. First-class is 2+2. Both have power outlets and WiFi (unreliable).

Arrive at Luoyang Longmen Station. Exit and take a taxi (use Didi app or grab one from the rank) or bus (routes 33, 76, 77) to your hotel.

If You Take the Flight

Book early. Prices jump closer to departure.

Get to Xi'an Xianyang Airport via metro (Line 14 from Xi'an North Station, about 50 minutes) or taxi (¥100-¥150, 40-60 minutes).

Arrive 2 hours before departure. Check in at the counter, drop luggage, go through security.

Fly. The flight is short. No meal service on most.

Arrive at Luoyang Beijiao Airport. Take a taxi (¥30-¥50, 20 minutes) or bus (route 1 or 2) into town.

Common Mistakes

• Booking a flight without checking total door-to-door time. The flight is 1 hour, but the whole process is 4-5 hours. The train is 2.5-3 hours.
• Not booking train tickets in advance during holidays. Trains sell out. Book at least a week ahead during Chinese New Year, National Day (Oct 1-7), or Labor Day (May 1-5).
• Assuming you can buy train tickets at the station with cash. You can, but the line is long and the staff may not speak English. Use Trip.com.
• Taking a taxi from Xi'an North Station without the Didi app. Taxi ranks can have long lines. Didi (Chinese Uber) works with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Have the app set up before you go.
• Forgetting your passport. You need your physical passport to board trains and flights in China. A photo won't work.

Recommended Booking / Planning Options

• Trip.com is the most reliable platform for international travelers to book both trains and flights. It accepts foreign credit cards and has an English interface. I've used it myself for dozens of bookings in China. [Link to Trip.com train booking page]
• 12306.cn is the official Chinese railway site. It's cheaper (no service fee) but the English version can be buggy. Only use it if you're comfortable with Chinese websites.
• Didi is essential for taxis. Download it before you go and link it to Alipay or WeChat Pay. [Link to /category/payment-apps/]
• Metro maps for Xi'an and Luoyang are available on Apple Maps or Baidu Maps. Google Maps is unreliable in China. [Link to /category/internet-esim/]

FAQ

Q: How much does the high-speed train from Xi'an to Luoyang cost?

A: Second-class seats are ¥175-¥300 ($24-$42 USD). First-class is about ¥280-¥450 ($39-$63 USD). Prices vary by train and booking time.

Q: Can I buy train tickets at Xi'an North Station on the day of travel?

A: Yes, but you'll need your passport and cash or a Chinese payment app. The line can be long, and popular trains sell out. Book online to be safe.

Q: Is the flight from Xi'an to Luoyang cheaper than the train?

A: Sometimes. Flights can drop to ¥300 ($42 USD) if booked weeks ahead, but they often cost ¥500-¥800 ($70-$112 USD). The train is usually cheaper when you factor in airport transfers.

Q: Which station in Luoyang is closest to the Longmen Grottoes?

A: Luoyang Longmen Station. It's a 10-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk to the grottoes entrance.

Q: Do I need a visa to transit through Xi'an or Luoyang?

A: Most nationalities need a visa to enter China. Check the latest visa rules before booking. [Link to /category/visa-entry/]

Q: Can I use my foreign phone on the train?

A: Yes, but you need a Chinese SIM card or an eSIM with data. WiFi on trains is often slow or doesn't work. [Link to /category/internet-esim/]

Some pages may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.