How to reach Tibet

There is the option of taking a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa or an overland drive. The flight takes an hour to cover the 600kilometres across the Himalayas with beautiful scenery of the Himalayan range, including Everest. There are two daily flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa, the 3U8720 (11:30-15:10) and the CA408 (12:10-16:00).

The other main points to reach Tibet are via a direct flight or train to Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou in mainland China or Chengdu, then a direct train or connecting flights to Lhasa. The following flight and train depart for Lhasa:

  • Beijing to Lhasa by air T3 at 08:15 am and take 8 hours)
  • Beijing to Lhasa by trail takes 40 hours and 45 minutes
  • Shanghai to Lhasa, from Pudong Airport T1 every day 06:45-14:40 by MU2335and from Hongqiao Airport T2, 14:25-20:45 by TV9882.
  • Shanghai to Lhasa by trail takes 47 hours 27
  • China Southern Airlines has two flights daily from Guangzhou to Lhasa; each takes off at08:05 am and reaches Lhasa at14:05 and leaves at 08:55 am reaching Lhasa at14:50, stops in Chongqing city before reaching Lhasa.
  • Guangzhou to Lhasa train takes 52 hours 34 minutes.
  • Chengdu to Lhasa has more than 12 flights a day, and it takes only 2hours and 35 minutes.
  • Chengdu to Lhasa train takes 36 hours and 28 minutes.