The photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of terbium-exchanged zeolites X was investigated upon laser excitation at 355nm. The results evidenced the presence of at least two terbium main environments with PL lifetimes varying between 391–411 and 753–770μs. The two-site nature of terbium distribution in zeolites X permitted a quantitative analysis of the migration process of terbium ions inside the pores and cavities upon dehydration in air at 200°C. Besides the increase of the PL lifetimes with about 30 % and 80 % compared to those of the hydrated zeolite, a fraction of almost 30 % of terbium ions was estimated to migrate from the supercages to the neighboring sodalites or hexagonal prisms. Our results evidenced for the first time the capability of time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in quantitatively tracking for the intrazeolitic migration of lanthanides.