A Tibet train journey usually lasts at least 22 hours, meaning you will likely have at least three meals onboard. For the convenience of passengers, all Tibet trains feature a dining car that serves meals and snacks, as well as a food trolley offering boxed meals.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about dining on Tibet trains, including what food and drinks are available in the dining car, meal prices, the option of the food trolley, and tips on bringing your own food, etc. Read on to prepare for a smooth and comfortable Tibet train journey!

The Dining Car is Available on Tibet Trains

All trains to Tibet are equipped with a dining car, which is normally located in the middle of the train and next to the soft sleeper carriage. To confirm its exact location, you can ask the train conductor.

The dining car on the Qinghai-Tibet Train is decorated in traditional Tibetan style, and colored in red, yellow and white. There are tables and seats available for you to enjoy the food. It is a nice experience to enjoy fascinating landscapes through the wide windows while having meals in the dining car.

The dining car offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at set mealtimes, and can usually accommodate 40 to 50 passengers at once. Since the seats in the dining carriage are limited, you’d better make a reservation in advance to avoid waiting too long, especially during lunch and dinner time.

Join our classic Tibet train tour for a smooth experience!

What Food and Drinks are Offered in the Dining Car?

The dining car offers passengers three meals a day. Breakfast is served from 7:30 am to 9:00 am, lunch from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and dinner from around 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The menu includes a limited selection of Chinese and Tibetan dishes, mainly featuring rice, vegetables, meats, and soups.

The breakfast is mainly traditional Chinese breakfast such as baozi (Chinese steamed buns), boiled eggs, soy milk, pickles, porridge, milk and bread etc. For lunch and dinner, you will be served with rice and some popular Tibetan and Chinese dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, Scrambled Egg with Tomato, etc. Noodles are also available.

All the dishes are freshly cooked, since the ingredients are purchased from some large cities, as well as the replenishment points when the train stops. The dishes served on the train will probably vary from season to season. Different trains often have different menus, depending on their departure locations.

In addition to main meals, snacks and drinks are also available in a small bar in the dining car. There are tea, coffee, and some bears, etc. You can enjoy drinks in the dining car, or bring it back to your compartment.

How Much Do Meals Cost in the Dining Car?

The price of meals on the train is usually about twice that of regular restaurants outside. A breakfast on Tibet trains will cost about 25 RMB. For lunch and dinner, the meat dishes will cost from 40 RMB to 130 RMB, while vegetables will be around 30 RMB per dish.

All dishes and food items have clearly marked prices on menus written in Chinese. You can order food in the dining car just as you would in a regular restaurant in any Chinese city. If you're not familiar with Chinese, you can ask the waiter for an English menu in some cases.

The Food Trolley: Another Dining Option on Tibet Trains

At every mealtime, many people dine in the dinning car at the same time. Since seats are limited, you may have to wait a long time. In this case, you have another option: buying a boxed meal from the food trolley.

The food trolley is pushed by the train attendants through each carriages of the train. During mealtimes, boxed meals are offered, usually consisting of three or four dishes serviced with rice. Each boxed meal generally costs around 35 RMB, being much cheaper than dining in the dining car.

Besides, outside of mealtimes, the food trolley also sells snacks, fruits and drinks. You can regularly buy instant noodles, biscuits, peanuts, and various drinks. The fruits are generally in season and sold in boxes, rich in variety such as apples, pears, peaches, etc.

Join our classic Tibet train tour for a smooth experience!

Bringing Your Own Food: What You Need to Know

If you are not accustomed to eating Chinese food or Tibetan food, or if you want to save on dining costs during your Tibet train journey, you can bring your own food before departure. Having familiar food may make your train travel more comfortable.

Generally speaking, most types of food can be brought on the train,including cooked food, fruit, snacks, and drinks. But because the Tibet train is a public space shared by many passengers together, it is recommended to avoid bringing some food with pungent smell, such as durian and other fruits.

It is not advisable to bring food that requires cooking, as there are no cooking facilities on the train. Also, it is best to avoid bringing perishable food, as the temperature and environment on the train are not suitable for food preservation. Moreover, alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the train because they are flammable.

Some ideal food options to bring on the train include cup noodles, canned snacks, beef jerky, chocolate, bread and other foods that can satisfy hunger. Peanuts and dried fruit are also common snacks for train journeys.

Hot water is also available on the train and is free for all passengers. If you need to prepare instant noodles, you can use the hot water from the dispenser, which is located between every two carriages. If you want to make coffee, milk tea, and other beverages, be sure to bring your own cup.

More Tips for Dining on Tibet Trains

Check out these insider tips for a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience during your Tibet train tour:

1. Be prepared for the food options and taste: While the dining car and food trolley offer a variety of dishes, the choices are more limited compared to regular restaurants. The food tends to be slightly spicy. If you are not used to the flavors, consider bringing your own snacks or easy-to-carry meals.

2. Dining during off-peak hours: To avoid long wait times in the dining car, you can try your meals outside of peak hours. Besides, the boxed meals of the food trolley sometimes will be discounted during off-peak hours.

3. Bring Cash for payment: Although mobile payments like Alipay and Wechat Pay are widely used on Tibet trains, it is still recommended to bring some cash. As the network connection is not stable on the train, mobile payments may not always work.

4. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol: The high-altitude environment can lead to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water is essential. While beer and other beverages are available, it is best to avoid alcohol as it may exacerbate altitude sickness.

5. Dispose of rubbish properly: Since the train is a shared space, keeping it clean is good for all passengers. Use the rubbish bins provided and avoid leaving food waste on your seat or in the carriage.

Enjoy a seamless Tibet train journey with us!

Conclusion

You don’t have to worry too much about dining on Tibet trains. Whether you bring your own food, buy a boxed meal on the food trolley, or eat in the dining car, you can always have options for meals. Although the food choices on the Qinghai-Tibet Train is not as rich as those in the city, you can still enjoy a unique dining experience.

With breathtaking scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, your journey will be a feast for both your eyes and taste buds. For more questions about Tibet train food and dining, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us for a smooth Tibet train journey!