Beijing to the Terracotta Army: the short version
High-speed G trains connect Beijing and Xi'an. Journeys take between 4 hours 10 minutes and 6 hours 43 minutes, so the usual range is about 4 to 6 hours each way. Second class costs CNY 480 to 593. Flights from Beijing to Xi'an Xianyang take about 2 hours in the air, but you add airport time at both ends.
The museum is not in the city center. From Xi'an North station, plan roughly 2 hours more by Metro and bus, or about 1 hour by taxi. Then comes the time inside, about 1.5 hours for each of the two museum areas. A same-day round trip is possible. It is a very long day, and the schedule has no slack for delays.
Our picks: the Terracotta Army from Beijing
Our take: the bullet-train day is the most predictable way to do it in a day. The flight package is quicker in the air but includes the flights only with option 1.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private day trip from Beijing by bullet train
- Return bullet train, second class
- Private guide in Xi'an
- Terracotta Army entry
A long private day with the train tickets, transfers on both ends and the museum entry handled for you.
Check availability →
Beijing to the Terracotta Army in one day by air
- Private guide and vehicle
- Entries with options 1 and 2
- Meal and water
A private day trip; the return flights from Beijing are only part of option 1.
Check availability →Terracotta Army tours from Beijing and Xi'an
Tours that combine the warriors with a transfer or a guide, with live prices and availability. Check the departure city and what is included.
Train, flight or a night in Xi'an
How the three ways compare for a visit to the warriors.
| High-speed train | Flight | Overnight in Xi'an | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 4 to 6 hours each way, depending on the train | About 2 hours in the air, plus airport time | One trip out, one trip back, on separate days |
| Cost | CNY 480 to 593 in second class | Depends on date and airline | Train or flight, plus one night |
| Time at the museum | Limited on a same-day trip | Limited on a same-day trip | A full, unhurried day |
| Risk | A delay costs your return train | A delay costs your return flight | Low |
For most visitors, the train plus one night in Xi'an is the better plan. You arrive in the evening, see the warriors the next day and go back when you are ready. If you have only one day, take the train, book the museum ticket in advance and keep the return train flexible. See where to stay for the areas of Xi'an.
Taking the train
Check the station in the timetable for your train. The typical journey runs from Beijing West to Xi'an North. Foreign travellers can verify their identity and book through the English version of the 12306 website or app. Carry the original of the document you used, because it is checked at the station.
Fares depend on the date, the train and the seat class, and the range above is a guide, not a fixed price. Choose a train that gets you to Xi'an with time to spare.
Taking a flight
Beijing has two airports with flights to Xi'an Xianyang: Capital and Daxing. The air time is roughly 2 hours to 2 hours 35 minutes, depending on the route and the schedule. Flight time is not door-to-door time. Add the transfer to the airport, check-in, the wait and the ride from Xianyang Airport into the city. A late landing suits an overnight stay, not the start of a day trip.
From Xi'an North to the museum
The trip on from the station.
Metro and bus
Take line 2 to Beidajie, change to line 1 as far as Fangzhicheng, then line 9 to Huaqingchi. A local bus finishes the trip. Plan about 2 hours and CNY 11 to 14 for Metro and bus.
Getting there →Taxi
A taxi from the station takes about 1 hour and costs roughly CNY 160 to 220. These are rough values, not fixed fares.
Tickets first
The museum sells tickets by real name and passport. Reserve before you leave Beijing. See tickets.
No guarantees on connections
There is no connection guarantee between the train or flight and local transport. Keep a buffer, especially for the return.
Package tours from Beijing
Some operators sell a Terracotta Army tour from Beijing, usually with the train or a flight, a transfer and a guide. Whether a given package includes the entry ticket, a German-speaking guide, or a guaranteed return time depends on the operator. Check each point in the description before you book. A package that promises you a place at the front of the queue cannot remove the security check or the passport check.
Terracotta Army from Beijing: frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Beijing to Xi'an?
A current timetable lists G trains from 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 43 minutes. Most visitors plan on 4 to 6 hours each way. Check the exact train, because not every service is the fastest.
How much is the train?
Second class costs CNY 480 to 593. The fare depends on the date, the train and the seat class.
Can I do the Terracotta Army as a day trip from Beijing?
It is possible but very long. You have the train in both directions, about 2 hours more each way to and from the museum, and the time inside. A night in Xi'an gives you a calmer day.
Is it faster to fly?
The flight itself is about 2 hours. Airport time, the transfer and the ride into Xi'an add to it, so the gain over the train is smaller than it looks.
Can foreigners book the train online?
Yes. Foreign travellers can verify their identity and book on the English 12306 website or app, and they carry the original document for the check at the station.
Is this the official site of the museum?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the museum, the railway, any airline or any tour operator.