Are you planning to visit Jiuzhaigou from Beijing? It’s a great decision! Jiuzhaigou has beautiful natural scenery with colorful lakes, spectacular waterfalls, and stunning snow-capped mountains.
However, how to get from Beijing to Jiuzhaigou is a question that needs to be considered. Below, I’ll give you details about several common ways to travel.
Beijing To Jiuzhaigou Flight:Fast and Direct Options
– Flying is the fastest way to get from Beijing to Jiuzhaigou. You can take a direct flight to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport from Beijing’s Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport. The flight time is about 3 hours. According to 2025 data:
– Low Season (April-June/November-December): $142-$200 (1,000-1,400RMB) one-way fare, Air China early bird ticket can save 30%.
– Peak Season (July-October): one-way may rise to $284 (2,000 RMB) or more, especially most expensive around National Day.
Key details:
1. Jiuhuang Airport is still 88 kilometers away from the scenic spot, so it is recommended to book a pick-up service in advance ($14/person for the airport bus, or $7 per person for carpooling for a better deal).
2. choose the left window seat, 20 minutes before landing can see the panoramic view of the snowy mountains! Remember to buy delay insurance when encountering cloudy days.
3. The good thing about flying is that it’s fast and saves you a lot of time. So you can have more time to play in Jiuzhaigou.
Beijing To Jiuzhaigou Train:Take your time to enjoy the scenery
Option 1: Beijing To Jiuzhaigou Ordinary Train (Recommended for backpackers)
Route: Beijing West Railway Station→Chengdu Railway Station (K117 hard sleeper, 28 hours)→Transfer bus to Jiuzhaigou (10 hours).
– Total Cost: $73 (hard sleeper) + $14 (bus) = $87.
– Pros: magnificent scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, suitable for those of you who like to travel slowly.
– Disadvantages: Crowded carriages + poor toilet hygiene, the whole 38 hours is comparable to an “endurance race”.
If you are not in a hurry and want to take your time to enjoy the scenery along the way, taking a regular train is also a good choice.
The whole trip may take 2-3 days.
On the train, you can chat with other passengers and experience the culture and atmosphere of different places.
Option 2: Beijing To Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train (highly recommended!)
After the opening of the Sichuan-Qingdao Railway in 2024, the way to play will be completely upgraded:
1. Beijing West Railway Station→Lanzhou West Railway Station (G671 High Speed Train, 9 hours, USD 115)
2. Lanzhou Station→Huanglong Jiuzhai Station (D754 train, 3 hours, 57 USD)
– Total cost: 172 USD, the fastest 12 hours for the whole journey.
– Hidden Benefits: Huanglong Jiuzhai Station has a direct feeder bus to the scenic area (US$4), which travels through Gannan grasslands and Tibetan and Qiang villages along the way.
The seats on the high-speed train are comfortable and the service on board is good. However, like airplanes, high-speed train tickets may be harder to get in the peak tourist season, and you’d better book them in advance.
Related: What are the train stations near Jiuzhaigou?
Beijing To Jiuzhaigou Bus: Cheapest but most tiring
For you with a very low budget: Beijing Liuliqiao Passenger Terminal→Chengdu (24-hour sleeper bus, US$43) → transfer to Jiuzhaigou bus (US$14).
– Total Cost: $57 USD and takes 34 hours.
– Lightning Guide:
– Bring a U-pillow and earplugs (there are people on the bus playing short videos outside!)
– July-August rainy season mountain road easy collapse, try to avoid.
– Midway toilet conditions are rudimentary, it is recommended to drink less water.
Bus fares are relatively cheap. The advantage of taking a bus is that you can see more places and communicate with different people. However, the bus ride is very long, it may take 2 – 3 days, and the space on the bus is relatively small, which may make you feel less comfortable.
Related reading: What are the bus stations near Jiuzhaigou?
Carpool/Charter: Journey of the Brave
Preferred option for small group of 4 people: Beijing fly to Chengdu (1.5 hours, $114 USD) → Charter bus to Jiuzhaigou (8 hours, $57 USD per person).
– Total cost: $171, about the same as taking a high-speed train.
– Advantages: stop at any time to take pictures of Wenchuan ruins, Songpan ancient city (Tibetan yak hot pot is a must!) .
– Anti-Pit Reminder:
– Ask the driver to show the Sichuan U license plate (regular operating certificate).
– Check in advance if highway tolls are included (usually pay an extra $14).
The distance from Beijing to Jiuzhaigou is very long and a cab will cost you a lot, probably around 2000 – 3000 USD.
Carpooling will be relatively less expensive, but not cheap, and you will need to find a suitable carpooling partner. The advantage of cabs and carpooling is that you can always stop and enjoy the scenery and travel at your own pace.
But the disadvantage is that it is expensive and the long drive may make the driver very tired and less safe.
Who is the king of value for money?
Comparison based on April 2025 data (single person):
| Transportation | Total Cost | Time | Consumption | Comfort Suitable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplane Direct Flight | USD 284 | 5hours | ★★★★★ | Short Vacation Commuters |
| High Speed Rail | USD 172 | 12 hours | ★★★★☆ | Scenery Control+Time Party |
| Carpooling | USD 171 | 9.5hours | ★★★☆☆ | Small Groups of 4 |
| Ordinary Train | USD 87 | 38hours | ★★☆☆☆ | Poor Traveling Student Party |
| Bus | USD 57 | 34hours | ★☆☆☆☆ | Extreme Challengers |
My Suggestion:
– Preferred high-speed rail + train: moderate price, along the way the Loess Plateau + Gannan grassland scenery kills the cabin small window.
– Second choice carpool: per capita cost and high-speed rail equal, but also can unlock niche photo points.
– Bus: Unless you want to experience the “China’s version of Route 66”.
Now you know what to choose, right? If there are other questions, welcome to leave a message to ask me. Wish you in this “fairyland on earth” shot burst the circle of friends of the blockbuster!
