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Tibet Travel Permit: Your Must-have to Enter Lhasa
International visitors and travelers from Taiwan must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit before their journey to Lhasa. This permit is essential - without it, you will not be allowed to board any flights or trains to Tibet.
Great news for travelers from countries with visa-free agreements with China (30-day or 10-day access): you can directly apply for your Tibet Travel Permit through a travel agency. We recommend checking if your country enjoys this China visa-free benefit.
For visitors who need a Chinese visa, there are two entry routes to Lhasa:
- From mainland China to Lhasa: For entry via mainland China, both a Chinese visa and Tibet Travel Permit are required.
- From Nepal: For entry through Nepal, you'll need a Chinese Group Visa (issued in Kathmandu) and a Tibet Travel Permit. Important note for Nepal entry: all group members must enter and exit Tibet together.
The Tibet Travel Permit can only be obtained through authorized Tibet travel agencies. We strongly recommend applying 20-30 days ahead of your planned trip.
Asia Odyssey Travel, as a trusted local Tibet agency, successfully helps over 6,000 travelers fulfill their Tibet dreams each year. We offer free Tibet Travel Permit application services. Contact us today to book your unforgettable Tibet adventure.
Where is Lhasa Located
Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, sits in the heart of the Tibetan Plateau. Located in southwest China, it lies in the southern part of Tibet along the northern bank of the Lhasa River.
The city is nestled in a valley on the north side of the Himalayas, at an elevation of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level. This unique location makes Lhasa one of the highest major cities in the world.
Option 1: Get to Lhasa by Train (Most Scenic Way)
| Train Route | Train No. | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing - Lhasa | Z21 | 1 train /daily | 40.5 h |
| Shanghai - Lhasa | Z165 | 1 train /daily | 45 h |
| Guangzhou - Lhasa | Z265 | 1 train /daily | 54 h |
| Xining - Lhasa | Z8991 | 2-8 trains /daily | 19-21.5 h |
| Chengdu/ Chongqing - Lhasa | Z223/Z322 | 1 train /2 days | 34.5h |
The train journey to Lhasa is an amazing experience. You'll travel across the Tibetan Plateau and see some of the world's most beautiful views. Direct trains to Lhasa run from 6 main cities in China.
Tibet train run daily from four major cities: Beijing (40h), Shanghai (47h), Guangzhou (54h), and Xining (19h), while Chengdu and Chongqing offer services every other day (36h).
Here's an insider tip: start your journey from Xining - it's the perfect choice with more frequent trains and the shortest travel time.
Want the most beautiful route? Take the Z265 train from Guangzhou to Lhasa. You'll see a stunning sunrise at Tuotuo River and travel through Kekexili, where you can enjoy views of snow mountains, lakes, and wide grasslands.
Option 2: Getting to Lhasa by Flight (Fastest Way)
Direct Flights to Lhasa:
- Domestic flight options (20+ Cities): Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xining, Xi’an, ect.
- From other countries/cities: Kathmandu, Simgapore
Flying to Lhasa is the fastest way to get there. Many cities in China have direct flights to Lhasa. You can fly from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Chongqing, Kunming, Xining, and Guangzhou. The flights take between 2 and 7 hours. But some cities only have flights in certain seasons.
Among all departure cities, Chengdu is the most recommended. It has the most frequent flights, with more than 20 flights per day. The flight takes around 2.5 hours, and the economy class ticket usually costs between $250 and $285.
For international travelers, there are direct flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu, Nepal. These flights operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, taking only 1 hour 20 minutes. Ticket prices range from $350 to $450 for economy class.
Lhasa also has a new international route from Singapore, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. These flights stop in Chongqing for 2.5 to 4.5 hours before continuing to Lhasa.
Option 3: Getting to Lhasa by Overland (For Adventures)
Taking a road trip to Lhasa is a great adventure. You can choose from two famous routes: from Sichuan or from Kathmandu.
From Sichuan to Lhasa by Road (2140 km, 1330 mi)
From Sichuan, you can take Highway 318 or 317. Highway 318 (2140 km) is the better choice - people call it China's most beautiful road trip. The journey takes 7-12 days and starts in Chengdu.
You'll pass through many interesting towns like Ya'an, Kangding, Litang, Markam, Nyingchi, and finally reach Lhasa. The views along Highway 318 are amazing, with snow mountains, deep valleys, and clear rivers.
How to Plan Sichuan Tibet Trip via G318
From Kathmandu to Lhasa by Road
The Kathmandu to Lhasa route is very popular with travelers. This journey usually takes 7-8 days. Starting from Kathmandu, you'll first go to the Nepal border at Gyirong Port. Then the road takes you to Everest Base Camp, where you can see the world's highest mountain.
After that, you'll visit Shigatse, a big Tibetan city. The final stop is Lhasa. Along the way, you'll see the mighty Himalayas and beautiful Tibetan towns.
How to Get to Lhasa from Major Cities in China
Beijing
Thanks to its many international flights, Beijing is a perfect place to start your trip to Lhasa. You can get there by plane or train.
Flying is fast and simple. There are 2-3 flights every day from Beijing Capital International Airport. A ticket costs between $400 and $600. You'll be in Lhasa in about 4.5 hours.
The Tibet train is another good choice. The Z21 train leaves Beijing once a day. The trip takes 40.5 hours and goes 3,757 kilometers. You can see many beautiful places from the train. You have three choices for tickets:
- Soft sleeper ($176): Most comfortable
- Hard sleeper ($110): Less expensive
- Hard seat: Cheapest but not good for long trips
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 2-3 flights | 4h20m | 1616-3260 |
| Train | 1 train | 40h20m | 360-1144 |
Beijing to Lhasa Train Schedule, Cost & Travel Tips
Shanghai
Shanghai is another good starting point for your Tibet trip. You can choose between flying or taking the train.
By Flights: You can fly from either Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. There are 2-3 flights each day. The trip takes 7 hours and 40 minutes. Your flight will stop in Xi'an or Chengdu for 1-2 hours.
By Train: The Tibet train is another choice. The Z164 train leaves Shanghai Railway Station every night. The journey takes 45 hours and travels 4,373 kilometers. Tickets cost between 402.5 and 1262.5 yuan. The soft sleeper is the most comfortable choice for this long trip. The hard sleeper costs less but is still a good option.
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 2-3 flights | 7h20m | 1345-2809 |
| Train | 1 trian | 44h57m | 402.5-1262.5 |
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Schedule, Tickets & Travel Tips
Guangzhou
You can fly from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. There are 2-3 flights every day to Lhasa. The flight takes 5-6 hours total. Your plane will make a short stop in Chongqing or Shangri-La for about one hour.
The train is another good choice. One train leaves Guangzhou Railway Station each day for Lhasa. The journey takes about 54 hours. This route is known as the most beautiful Tibet train route.
You will see snow mountains, vast grasslands, and clear lakes along the way. The Tibet train passes through stunning places like Golmud and Tanggula Mountains.
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 2-3 flights | 5h45m | 1265-2908 |
| Train | 1 trian | 53h39m | 447-1468 |
Guangzhou to Lhasa Train: Schedule, Time & Price
Chengdu
By Flight: Chengdu offers the most frequent air route to Lhasa from any Chinese city. Chengdu Shuangliu Airport offers 6-20 flights daily to Lhasa.
By Train: By Tibet train runs every other day from Chengdu Railway Station, taking 35 hours through spectacular mountain landscapes.
By Road: It follows the legendary National Highway 318, known as China's most beautiful road trip. The 2,134km journey typically takes 7-12 days, passing through Ya'an, Kangding, Litang, Batang, Markam, Zogang, and Nyingchi.
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 6-20 flights | 2h30m | 1530-2840 |
| Train | 1 trian/2 days | 34h31m | 302.5-997.5 |
| Road | / | 7-12 days | / |
Chengdu to Lhasa Train: Schedule, Time & Price
Xi’an
By flight: Xi'an Xianyang Airport offers 6-8 daily flights to Lhasa, taking about 3 hours.
By train: Two daily trains connect Xi'an to Lhasa - the Z265 and Z165. Both journeys take around 30-31 hours
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 6-8 flights | 3h | 1600-2750 |
| Train | 2 trian/daily | 34h31m | 293.5-969.5 |
Xian to Lhasa Train: Schedule, Time & Price
Xining
By flight: Xining Caojiabao Airport has 1-2 daily flights to Lhasa, taking about 2 hours.
By train: Xining is the starting point of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway. 6-10 daily trains depart from Xining Railway Station to Lhasa. The journey takes about 19-21 hours.
By road: The Qinghai-Tibet Highway (National Highway 109) spans 1,937km from Xining to Lhasa. The drive typically takes 4-5 days, passing through Golmud, Kunlun Mountains, and Nagqu.
| Ways | Frequency (per day) | Duration | Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 1-2 flights | 2h30m | 1425-2230 |
| Train | 6-10 trian/daily | 19-21h | 224-781 |
Xining to Lhasa Train: 2025 Schedule & Price
How to Visit Lhasa from Kathmandu, Nepal
By flight: Air China operates direct flights from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa, running 2-3 times per week. The one-hour flight offers stunning views of Mount Everest and the Himalayas. Note that flight schedules may vary seasonally.
By road: The 1300km Friendship Highway connects Nepal and Tibet. The journey starts from Kathmandu, crosses the Nepal-China border at Kodari/Zhangmu (or Rasuwagadhi/Gyirong), then continues through Tingri, Shigatse, and finally reaches Lhasa. The road trip typically takes 7-8 days.
How to Get to Lhasa City from Airport/Train Station
From Lhasa Airport to Lhasa City
Lhasa Gonggar Airport is 60 kilometers away from Lhasa city. It is the main airport in Tibet. Many flights connect Lhasa with big cities in China. The airport also has flights to Kathmandu.
You can choose three ways to go from the airport to Lhasa city:
- Taxi: The taxi ride takes about one hour. It costs 160 to 200 yuan.
- Shuttle Bus: You can take the airport shuttle bus. The bus takes 1 to 2 hours. It costs 30 yuan per person.
- Free pick-up service: If you book a Tibet tour with Asia Odyssey Travel, we offer free pickup. This free service is for flights arriving between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. If your flight arrives at other times, you need to pay extra for the transfer.
How to Get from Lhasa Airport to City 2025/2026
From Lhasa Railway Station to Lhasa City
Lhasa Railway Station is 10 kilometers away from Lhasa city center. The station is in the western part of Lhasa. Many trains arrive here from different cities in China.
You can get from the railway station to Lhasa city in three ways:
- Taxi: The taxi ride takes about 20 minutes. It costs 30 to 40 yuan.
- Bus: You can take public bus number 1,13,14. The bus takes 35 to 55 minutes.
- Free pick-up service: Asia Odyssey Travel also offers free train station pickup service for you
How to Get to Lhasa City from Lhasa Railway Station (3 Ways)
How to Plan a Lhasa Tour
Planning a trip to Lhasa typically starts with a 4-5 day stay in the city.
The first two days should be dedicated to altitude acclimatization and exploring the main city attractions: the iconic Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and the bustling Barkhor Street.
You'll want to set aside another day to visit the important monasteries around Lhasa, including Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. A day trip to either Lake Namtso or Yamdrok Lake makes for a perfect addition to your Lhasa itinerary.
For a more comprehensive Tibet experience, consider extending your Lhasa tour to other destinations in Tibet. Popular extensions include visits to the Everest Base Camp, the city of Shigatse, Mount Kailash, or the scenic region of Nyingchi (Linzhi). These additional destinations can add 3-10 more days to your journey.
Explore Tibet with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)
Discover Tibet's wonders stress-free with Asia Odyssey Travel! We handle permits, craft personalized itineraries, and pair you with expert local guides. From Everest treks to Lhasa's sacred sites, enjoy safe, authentic journeys with 15+ years of trusted expertise.
Tour Packages: Tibet Tours, Tibet Group Tours, Lhasa Tours, Shigatse Tours, Everest Base Camp Tours, Mount Kailash Tours, Nyingchi Tours
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Useful Tibet Travel Guide:
Travel Tips: Tibet Travel Permits, Tibet Safety Tips, Tibet Trip Cost, Best Time to Visit, Itinerary, How to Get to Tibet, Hotels, Food, Treks, Bike Routes, Lakes, Monasteries, Mountains, Weather Guide
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