Travel to Tibet from Canada via Mainland China

Is It Safe to Travel to China from Canada?

Definitely! China is friendly to foreign visitors. Getting around is easy and it's really safe. The only thing you might want to watch out for is altitude sickness in Tibet. Avoid intense workouts before your trip.

Prepare Tibet Travel Permit Before Travel to Tibet from Canada

All foreign tourists, in addition to a Chinese visa and passport, must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet. No permit, no Tibet travel.

For travel outside Lhasa, you'll need additional permits (Alien's Travel Permit, Military Permit). Don't worry, Asia Odyssey Travel will assist you with these permits, free of charge. The process usually takes 7-15 days.

• Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): Essential for entering Tibet (air/train), issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This is the most essential document for foreigners traveling to Tibet by air or train within China.
• Alien's Travel Permit: Required for travel to "unopened" areas, issued by the Public Security Bureau.
• Military Permit: Needed for military-sensitive areas, issued by the Military Office.

Consult our Tibet travel expert directly if you have any questions.

Travel to Tibet from Canada by Air - Fastest

It is recommended to depart from Vancouver or Toronto to China, then take flight from major cities in China to Tibet. The total flight time is about 18 hours.

International Flights to China

Vancouver and Toronto offer the most frequent flights to Beijing and Shanghai, making them ideal entry points into China.

• Vancouver - Beijing/Shanghai: There are over 15 daily flights from Vancouver to both Beijing and Shanghai. The shortest flight time to Beijing is 11.3 hours, and to Shanghai, it's 12.7 hours.
• Toronto - Beijing/Shanghai: Toronto also has over 15 daily flights to Beijing and Shanghai. The shortest flight time to Beijing is 19.5 hours, and to Shanghai, it's 14.9 hours.

Domestic flights to Tibet (Xizang)

Flights between Tibet and major Chinese cities like Beijing (4.4h), Shanghai (7.5h), Xining (2.4h), Xi'an (3.5h), Chengdu (2.6h), and Chongqing (3.1h) are plentiful. Lhasa Airport offers direct flights from these cities.

With over 20 daily flights from Chengdu, it's recommended to fly there first.

Recommended Tours:

8 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Shigatse Group Tour with Everest Base Camp

Travel to Tibet from Canada by Train - Budget-friendly

Another option is to fly from Canada to China and then take the train to Tibet.

The train journey offers scenic views and is more affordable (about 1,000RM, half the price of a plane ticket), but the combined air and train trip takes over 40 hours.

The main railway to Tibet is the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a regular-speed train. This railway starts from Xining in Qinghai and ends in Lhasa, Tibet. It's 1,956 kilometers long and is the world's highest and longest plateau railway.

Train To Lhasa, Tibet

Train to Lhasa, Tibet

The entire journey takes 21 hours and 30 minutes, passing through scenic spots such as Qinghai Lake, the northern Tibetan Plateau, and the Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain. You can see lakes, snow mountains, glaciers, grasslands, and Gobi deserts on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau through the train window.

Xining is the most ideal starting point for a trip to Tibet. You can also travel to Tibet from other Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Chongqing, but you may need to transfer in cities like Lanzhou or Xining along the way.

Travel to Tibet from Canada by Overland - Adventurous

The last option for getting to Tibet is to travel overland. This involves flying to China and then taking a road trip to Tibet. Be prepared for a lengthy journey, as it can take more than a week.

Nujiang 72 Turns, Tibet

Ranwu Lake, Tibet

You can travel to Tibet overland from places like Xining, Chengdu, and Kunming. Chengdu is the best starting point for an overland trip. The G318 highway from Chengdu to Lhasa is known as China's most beautiful and thrilling scenic highway. But don't worry, the facilities along the way are very good. On the way, you can admire stunning sights like Daocheng Yading, Litang Grassland, Nujiang 72 Bends, and Ranwu Lake.

Related Article(s):

Singapore to Tibet Flight: How to Get to Tibet from Singapore?

How to Go to Tibet from Malaysia? 6 Routes from KL to Tibet (2025)

Travel to Tibet from Australia: 6 Transfer Options

Recommended Tours:

5 Days Classic Lhasa Group Tour with Yamdrok Lake

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Mainland China

Fly from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to major cities in China, then Then, choose how to continue your journey: by plane, train, or overland. Check out: How to Travel to Tibet from Mainland China >>

• Fastest overall: via Beijing
• Cheapest: via Beijing
• Most flights to Tibet from mainland China: via Chengdu
• For air and train combinations, direct trains to Tibet: Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Xi'an, and Chengdu.
• Opt for overland travel: via Chengdu

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Beijing

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Beijing - Lhasa

For the fastest trip to Tibet from Canada, fly from Vancouver or Toronto to Beijing, followed by a direct flight to Lhasa. This route covers approximately 12,000 kilometers and takes about 16-18 hours. Budget around CAD 1000-1500 for the flights.

Flight information from Beijing to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: You can switch to a train upon arrival in Beijing. There is one train per day from Beijing to Lhasa. The train journey takes 40 hours and 20 minutes, departing at 7:22 PM China time each day. The whole trip lasts more than 2 days. Check Beijing to Lhasa Train ->>

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Shanghai

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Shanghai - Lhasa

You can also fly from Vancouver or Toronto to Shanghai, with a layover in Xi'an or Chengdu, and then take a direct flight to Lhasa. The entire journey takes about 17-19 hours, covering a distance of 12,500-13,000 kilometers, and costs around CAD 1100-1600.

Flight information from Shanghai to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: Upon arrival in Shanghai, catch a direct train to Lhasa. This daily train takes over two days, departing at 6:33 PM China time and arriving 44 hours and 57 minutes later. Check Shanghai to Lhasa Train ->>

Recommended Tours:

8 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Shigatse Group Tour with Everest Base Camp

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Xining

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Xining - Lhasa

Alternatively, you can fly from Vancouver or Toronto to Xining, then connect to a direct flight to Lhasa. The total flight time is approximately 18-20 hours, covering a distance of 13,000-13,500 kilometers. The estimated cost is between CAD 1200 and 1700.

Flight information from Xining to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: Once you reach Xining, hop on a direct train bound for Lhasa. With two daily departures, the earliest train leaves at 11:42 (China time) and arrives in Lhasa approximately 19 hours and 59 minutes later. Check Xining to Lhasa Train ->>

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Xi'an

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Xi'an - Lhasa

You could also fly from Vancouver or Toronto to Xi'an, and then catch a direct flight to Lhasa. The whole trip takes about 18 to 20 hours, flying around 12,800 to 13,300 kilometers. It'll cost you somewhere between CAD 1150 and 1650.

Flight information from Xi'an to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: Once you reach Xi'an, board a direct train to Lhasa. With 9 trains departing daily, the earliest one leaves at 7:53 AM. The total travel time is 31 hours. Check Xian to Lhasa Train ->>

Recommended Tours:

16 Days Lhasa Mt.Everest Mt.Kailash Guge Kingdom: Mysterious Tibet Group Tour

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Chengdu

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Chengdu - Lhasa

A popular route is flying from Vancouver or Toronto to Chengdu and then directly to Lhasa. Chengdu offers the most flights to Lhasa. The total flight time is approximately 18-20 hours, covering a distance of 13,200-13,700 kilometers, and costs between 1250 and 1750 CAD.

Flight information from Chengdu to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: Upon arrival in Chengdu, take a train to Lhasa. The direct train departs at 21:10 and the entire journey takes 34 hours and 31 minutes. Check Chengdu to Lhasa Train ->>

Option 3 - Air + Overland: After arriving in Chengdu, an overland journey of 5,476 kilometers along the G318 highway will take you from Chengdu to Lhasa, overcoming an elevation gain of over 4,000 meters and spanning 10 days.

Travel to Tibet from Canada via Chongqing

Option 1 - Air: Vancouver/Toronto - Chongqing - Lhasa

For a different route, consider flying from Vancouver or Toronto to Chongqing, followed by a direct flight to Lhasa. This journey typically takes around 18-20 hours and costs between 1200 and 1700 Canadian dollars.

Flight information from Chongqing to Lhasa:

Option 2 - Air + Train: No direct trains run from Chongqing. You'll need to transfer in Lanzhou or Chengdu, making the total journey 32-39 hours. Check Chongqing to Lhasa Train ->>

How to Visit Tibet? Plan a Tibet Trip with Asia Odyssey Travel

Asia Odyssey Travel, a leading local Tibet travel agency, has decades of experience organizing successful group tours.

We specialize in handling all aspects of your Tibet trip, including Tibet Travel Permit, accommodations, meals, transportation, and safety, ensuring a high-quality and affordable experience.

Booking with a local agency like ours is essential for a smooth and safe exploration of Tibet.

Tour Options:

8 Days Classic Lhasa Shigatse Tour: This tour focuses on acclimatization in Lhasa, visiting iconic landmarks like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. It then includes a scenic road trip to Mount Everest Base Camp in Shigatse, offering breathtaking views of Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier.

16 Days Lhasa Shigatse Mount Kailash Trekking Tour: This extended tour builds upon the Classic Tour by adding a challenging and rewarding three-day trek to Mount Kailash. After the trek, you can explore other captivating sites like the Guge Kingdom and the Zanda Earth Forest.

12 Days Lhasa Nyingchi Shigatse Tour: This itinerary adds a vibrant touch to your journey. Between Lhasa and Shigatse, you'll visit Nyingchi, known for its stunning landscapes, including the colorful Lulang Forest and the serene Basum Tso Lake.

10 Days Sichuan Tibet Overland Tour: Experience a thrilling road trip from Chengdu to Lhasa via the G318 highway. Along the way, marvel at stunning scenery including lakes, canyons, and snow-capped mountains.

If you have any questions, you might want to chat with our Tibet travel experts.

Recommended Tibet Tours & Trips:

8 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Shigatse Group Tour with Everest Base Camp
16 Days Lhasa Mt.Everest Mt.Kailash Guge Kingdom
12 Days Overall Tibet Group Tour with EBC, Nyingchi & Holy Lakes
Amazing G318: 10 Days Sichuan Tibet Epic Overland Tour