Beijing to Lhasa Flight: How to Travel from Beijing to Lhasa by Air

Taking a flight to Tibet from Beijing is also a popular way in addition to the train ride. Being fast, time-saving, convenient, there are many advantages for getting to Tibet by air. Currently, there are both direct flights from Beijing to Lhasa and flights with a stopover in Chengdu, Xi’an, or Xining.

The flight distance between Beijing and Lhasa is 3004 kilometers. The flight time from Beijing to Lhasa is about 5 hours for direct flights and 7 hours for indirect flight. Generally, Beijing-Lhasa flights with layovers are cheaper than non-stop flights. Check the following guide to see detailed guide on Beijing to Lhasa flight.

Why Take Flights to Lhasa from Beijing?

Beijing as the capital city and international metropolis has many flight connections with other overseas countries and districts. So, it is very convenient to enter China via Beijing for international travelers.

Meanwhile, Beijing is the first-choice for one to start his lifetime China Tibet tour. You can go from Beijing to many other cities like Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guangzhou in different directions of the ancient culture land, by either flight or high-speed train. After that, heading to the high land of Tibet, to further venture to the wilder world.

Besides, one should not miss the world-famous historic sites in this imperial city. The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace..., all make Beijing an extremely attractive city for anyone are fond of Chinese culture and history.

Beijing to Lhasa Flight Schedule

Currently, there are three non-stop flights from Beijing to Lhasa available every day. The flights are operated by Air China, one of the most prominent airlines in China. Respectively departing at 08:35 am, 10:35 am, and 13:55 pm, the flights to Tibet from Beijing will take about 4.5 hours to reach Lhasa.

Both direct and indirect flights from Beijing to Lhasa depart from Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport and arrive in Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The indirect flights to Lhasa from Beijing usually stop over at Chengdu, Xi’an or Xining.

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	Air Line	Frequency
08:35-13:05	CA4125	Air China	M T W T F S S
10:35-15:05	CA8397	Air China	M T W T F S S
13:55-18:25	CA8343	Air China	M T W T F S S

Please note: The above schedules are only for reference. Please feel free to contact us for an enquiry about a Tibet tour with the flight to Tibet.

Lhasa to Beijing Flight Schedule

There are less than 10 scheduled flights from Lhasa to Beijing every day, including three or four non-stop flights. Other flights from Lhasa to Beijing have a stopover in Chengdu, Xi’an or Xining. Indirect flights will take more time on the way, for at least 6 hours. All the Lhasa to Beijing flights arrives in Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	Air Line	Frequency
09:55-13:30	TV9815	Tibet Airline	M T W T F S S
09:20-13:20	CA4126	Air China	M T W T F S S
15:50-19:50	CA8398	Air China	M T W T F S S
19:15-23:20	CA8344	Air China	M T W T F S S

Please note: The above schedules are only for reference.

How to Take the Flight from Beijing to Lhasa?

a. Book the Flight in Advance

It is important to book your Beijing to Lhasa flight ahead of time, especially if you are planning to go to Tibet during the peak season. Usually, one can check the flight schedule and fares on booking websites like Ctrip.com and Expedia three months in advance. And during the booking, some identity documents will be required. For the convenience, you can turn to us, and we can help to get your flight.

b. Obtain the Tibet Travel Permit before You Go

Before boarding the flight to Tibet, one need to prepare the Tibet Travel Permit for check. The Tibet Travel Permit is the primary document to enter Tibet and will be required for every international traveler. It is suggested to apply for the permit at least two weeks earlier before your trip, so that you can get it in your hand before your flight departs.

c. Head to Beijing Airport for Boarding

The flight from Beijing to Lhasa departs from T3 of Beijing Capital International Airport. The airport is located in the northeastern suburbs of Beijing, 25 kilometers southwest of the city center. The best way to get to the airport is taking the subway, which will cause no traffic jam. You can first take the Metro Line 2 and then transfer to the Airport Line to direct reach T3 of the airport.

After arrival, you will go through some procedures before boarding. First enter the check-in hall on the fourth floor of T3C, go through check-in procedures there. Then go down to the third floor of T3C for security check. After that, go to the domestic departure lounge to wait for boarding. As the airport will receive a large number of passengers for boarding or disembarking, it is recommended to get to the airport two hours in advance to reserve enough time for checking.

More FAQ about Taking Beijing to Lhasa Flight

a. How to Get the Cheap Flight from Beijing to Lhasa?

Booking a cheaper flight can help you to save a lot on your Tibet tour cost and there are ways to get a discount air ticket. Firstly, if you haven’t determined your travel time, check the flight fares on different websites and choose more departure dates to compare. There will be more chances to find cheaper flights.

Secondly, for flights of the same day, you can choose a connecting flight or a flight with a stopover, in order to get a cheaper one. Sometimes, some connecting flights can have a two-third reduction in price. And the extra time for layover can be as short as to only two hours, for some flights from Beijing to Lhasa.

b. Will I Suffer from Altitude Sickness When Taking the Flight to Tibet?

Beijing is at 43.5 meters above sea level while Lhasa is at 3650 meters. Therefore, it is prone to suffer from altitude sickness when taking flight to Tibet. However, one can take some measures to get better adapted to the rising altitude and experience milder symptoms.

For example, do proper exercises before you take the flight and take some medicine of prophylactic effect. After arrive in Lhasa, move slowly, and avoid running or rushing. Drink more water and do not take showers for the first two days in Tibet. Keep your mood relaxed, and stay in Lhasa for several days before you head to higher places.

c. How to Get to My Hotel after Arriving in Lhasa Airport?

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is in southwest of Lhasa, about 85 kilometers from the city center. It is one of the highest airports in the world, as well as the only international airport in Tibet. Tourists can take the airport shuttle bus to get to the downtown from the airport. The shuttle bus will run for about one hour and cost 25 CNY per person one way. The final stop is the Civil Aviation Bureau Station, which is near the Potala Palace.

As a better option, tourists can enjoy free shuttle transfer between the airport and downtown, if you have booked your tibet tour with us. In this way, our local tour guide will wait for you at the airport and then escort you to your reserved hotel in Lhasa by private car.

Conclusion

The direct flight from Beijing to Lhasa departs two or three times every day, and will take about 5 hours to reach the plateau. If you want to reserve more time on exploring the highlights during your Beijing Tibet tour, then the flight is a good choice. But be aware that the Tibet Travel Permit should be prepared in advance, and pay attention to the altitude sickness. For more questions about Beijing to Lhasa flight, please feel free to contact us or leave your message below.