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Australia to Tibet Distance: Are There Flights from Australia to Tibet?
The straight-line distance from Australia to Tibet ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 kilometers, depending on your departure city.
There are no direct flights from Australia to Tibet. Travelers typically transit through China’s Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu, Nepal, or Singapore before heading to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
1. Travel from Australia to Tibet via Beijing
Flights from Australia to Beijing
Beijing is the most popular transit option for traveling to Tibet from Australia. To fly from Australia to Beijing, you can depart from Sydney or Melbourne. These cities offer both direct and connecting flights to Beijing.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 11-35h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Shanghai, Guangzhou, HK, etc. |
| Melbourne | 11.5-24.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Sydney, Shanghai, Guangzhou, HK, etc. |
Beijing to Lhasa Flights
While transiting in Beijing, taking a Beijing tour is a great option.
Afterward, fly directly from Beijing to Tibet. Direct flights are the quickest option, taking about 4.5 hours. Flights depart from Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport and land at Lhasa Gonggar Airport.
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Lhasa | 4.5 hours | Daily | Nonstop |
Beijing to Lhasa Train
Taking a train from Beijing to Tibet is another option, though it takes longer—about 40 hours. Trains depart from Beijing West Railway Station, passing through Xining and Golmud, before arriving at Lhasa Railway Station.
| Departure | Arrival | Train Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Lhasa | 40-41 hours | Daily |
2. Travel from Australia to Tibet via Shanghai
Flights from Australia to Shanghai
If traveling to Tibet from Australia, you can also transit in Shanghai. Several Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, offer direct or connecting flights to Shanghai, providing convenient travel options.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 10.5-31h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Guangzhou, Xiamen, HK, Beijing, Chengdu, etc. |
| Melbourne | 10-30h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Guangzhou, Xiamen, Sydney, Beijing, HK, etc. |
| Brisbane | 10.5-33.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Guangzhou, Sydney, Xiamen, Beijing, HK, etc. |
| Perth | 9.5-34h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | HK, Singapore, Tokyo, etc. |
Shanghai to Lhasa Flights
After arriving in Shanghai, you can explore the city by joining a Shanghai tour before flying to Tibet.
Direct flights from Shanghai to Tibet depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and land at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, with a flight time of 7 to 8.5 hours.
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Lhasa | 7-8.5 hours | Daily | Stopover | Chengdu/Xian |
Shanghai to Lhasa Trains
Daily trains also connect Shanghai and Lhasa. These trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Station and take 44-45 hours, passing through Xi’an, Lanzhou, and Xining before arriving in Lhasa.
| Departure | Arrival | Train Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Lhasa | 44-45 hours | Daily |
3. Travel from Australia to Tibet via Guangzhou
Flights from Australia to Guangzhou
Guangzhou is another option for transiting to Tibet from Australia. There are various flight options from Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, including direct and connecting flights to Guangzhou.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 9.5-29h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, HK, etc. |
| Melbourne | 9-33.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Sydney, HK, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, etc. |
| Brisbane | 9-17h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | HK, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, etc. |
Guangzhou to Lhasa Flights
After arriving in Guangzhou, you can enjoy a Guangzhou tour before continuing to Tibet. From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, you can fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport in about 6.5 hours, with a stopover in Diqing, Yunnan.
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou | Lhasa | 6.5 hours | Daily | Stopover | Diqing |
Guangzhou to Lhasa Trains
Alternatively, you can take a train from Guangzhou to Tibet. The journey is the longest train route to Tibet in China, taking 53-54 hours to reach Lhasa.
| Departure | Arrival | Train Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou | Lhasa | 53-54 hours | Daily |
4. Travel from Australia to Tibet via Chengdu
Flights from Australia to Chengdu
In addition to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, travelers from Australia to Tibet can also transit in Chengdu. Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer direct or connecting flights to Chengdu.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 11-30h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Melbourne, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. |
| Melbourne | 10.5-28.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Sydney, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. |
Chengdu to Lhasa Flights
Chengdu is the best gateway city in China for flying to Tibet, as it is very close to Lhasa. The flight duration is short, taking as little as 2.5 hours.
Chengdu, the hometown of pandas, is famous for its relaxed atmosphere. After arriving in Chengdu, why not take a Chengdu tour to experience its leisurely charm?
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Lhasa | 2.5-3h | Daily | Nonstop |
Chengdu to Lhasa Trains
Apart from flights, the train from Chengdu to Lhasa is another good option. Trains run every other day, taking 34-35 hours. They depart from Chengdu West Railway Station and arrive at Lhasa Railway Station.
| Departure | Arrival | Train Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Lhasa | 34-35h | Every other day |
Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 Highway
Chengdu is also the best gateway city for enjoying an overland tour to Tibet. Driving along the G318 National Highway, the total distance is 2,142 kilometers, making it one of the most scenic roads in China.
This route starts in Chengdu, passing through Ya’an, Kangding, Litang, Batang, and Barkam, before reaching Lhasa. The journey takes 7-10 days, with an average altitude of about 3,000 meters.
5. Fly from Australia to Tibet via Singapore
Flights from Australia to Singapore
Travelling to Tibet from Australia can also be done with a connecting flight through Singapore, as Singapore now also operates flights to Lhasa.
Many Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, offer nonstop or connecting flights to Singapore.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 8-26h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Jakarta, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, etc. |
| Melbourne | 7.5-28.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, etc. |
| Brisbane | 7.5-34.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | HK, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, etc. |
| Perth | 5-25.5h | Daily | Nonstop/Stopover | Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Bangkok, etc. |
Singapore to Tibet Flights
Singapore now has layover flights to Lhasa, Tibet, with a short stop in Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xian, Shanghai or Guangzhou.
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Lhasa | 10.5-31h | Daily | Stopover | Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xian, Shanghai, Guangzhou |
Note: To board the Singapore to Lhasa flight, you will need a Tibet Travel Permit.
6. Travel from Australia to Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal
Flights from Australia to Kathmandu
Another option for traveling to Tibet from Australia is transiting through Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu is the only city offering nonstop international flights to Tibet.
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights between Australia and Kathmandu. You will need to transit through cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Delhi, or Hong Kong.
| Departure City | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 13.5-52h | Daily | Stopover | Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, HK, etc. |
| Melbourne | 15-50h | Daily | Stopover | Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Delhi, HK, etc. |
| Brisbane | 15.5-45h | Daily | Stopover | Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, HK, etc. |
Kathmandu to Lhasa Flights
The Kathmandu-Lhasa flight is one of the two international flights to Tibet now. Operated by Himalaya Airlines, there are three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
This flight departs from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and lands at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, with a flight time of about 1.5 hours.
| Departure | Arrival | Flight Time | Frequency | Flight Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Lhasa | 1.5h | M, W, F | Nonstop |
Note: To board the Kathmandu-Lhasa flight, you will need a Chinese group visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. Without these, you will not be allowed to board the flight!
Kathmandu to Tibet by Road
Kathmandu also offers an overland route to Tibet, spanning approximately 1,200 kilometers and taking 3-4 days. The route enters Tibet through the Gyirong Port (Jilong Port).
The road from Kathmandu to Gyirong covers about 140 kilometers. It is narrow and winding, usually taking 6-8 hours.
From Gyirong to Lhasa, the distance is approximately 900 kilometers. The road is well-paved and smooth, taking 2-3 days to complete.
What Documents Needed for Traveling to Tibet from Australia? Chinese Visa Free Now!
- Chinese Visa
As of November 2024, Australian citizens enjoy a 30-day visa-free entry to China. This policy is valid until December 31, 2025, with possible extensions. For more details, check the latest Visa-free Travel to China Policy >>
- Tibet Travel Permit
Australians must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit through a local travel agency. This permit allows you to visit Lhasa and nearby areas.
- Additional Permits
Other permits, such as the Aliens’ Travel Permit or Military Travel Permit, are required for specific regions like Mount Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash. For more details, visit our Tibet Travel Permit policy >>
Contact Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) to handle your Tibet permits and plan your hassle-free journey!
Travel to Tibet from Australia with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)
Travel to Tibet from Australia with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) and experience a seamless, well-organized adventure.
As experts in Tibet travel, AOT ensures you have all necessary permits and expertly plans every step of your journey, from selecting the best transit city to arranging your itinerary in Tibet. With AOT’s guidance, you can focus on enjoying the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and spiritual heritage of Tibet.
Let Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) turn your dream trip into reality, creating unforgettable memories from Australia to the Roof of the World.
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