What is the most cost-effective way to travel from Lanzhou to Dalian?

There is no direct train from Lanzhou to Dalian, so you need to transfer in Beijing.

Trains departing from Lanzhou -> Beijing West -> Dalian Departing from Lanzhou and arriving at Beijing West Travel time Travel distance Fare for this section T152 (Xining - Beijing West) 14:52 12:15 21 hours and 23 minutes 1876 kilometers 215 yuan Transfer trains departing and arriving at Beijing Dalian travel time, travel distance, fare in this range K681/K684 (Beijing--Dalian) 21:57 08:05 10 hours, 8 minutes, 927 kilometers, 120 yuan