Getting from India to Tibet is now relatively easy, even though there is no direct flight or train between the two regions. The most popular way is to travel to Nepal first, from where you can take a direct flight or go overland to Lhasa. Another great option is to enter Tibet from mainland China, which is well connected to Lhasa by both train and air.
In this guide, we will explain the details of each route from India to Tibet. Whether you prefer a quick flight, or an epic road adventure, or a journey of more explorations through mainland China, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the best route for yourself, and get insider tips on permits and more!
India is located south of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, and the distance from New Delhi to Lhasa is 1,361 kilometers by air. But the actual journey can take longer owing to the terrain and transportation.
Currently, there are no direct flights from India to any city of Tibet. The most convenient way to get to Tibet from India is to transfer via Nepal, either by flight or overland. Alternatively, you can also choose to first travel to mainland China, from where there are non-stop flights and scenic Tibet trains to Lhasa.
Nepal offers the most convenient international flights to Tibet. At the same time, it is well connected to India by air. So, traveling from India to Tibet via Nepal by flight can be the most efficient and straightforward option.
Flying directly from New Delhi to Kathmandu is quite convenient. Operated by Nepal Airlines, IndiaGo and other airlines, the flights depart 11 times every day from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, and take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Kathmandu.
The nonstop flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu costs around $60 on average. It is the least expensive way as well as time-saving, in terms of flight routes to Nepal. You can also fly from Kolkata, Varanasi, Bangalore and Mumbai to Kathmandu, although there may be fewer flights available every day.
From Kathmandu, you can take the most popular international flight to Tibet, which lands at Lhasa Gonggar Airport. This flight is operated by Himalaya Airlines and departs every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Lhasa.
Kathmandu to Lhasa flight passes directly over the summit of Mount Everest.
India to Tibet via Nepal by Overland: The Adventurous Way across the Himalayas
If you have enough time for the journey and want to experience a scenic road adventure, then taking the overland route from India to Tibet via Nepal can be a great choice. You can first travel from India to Nepal by flight or train, and then enjoy the world-class overland trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
India to Kathmandu by Flight or Train
In addition to taking a flight from India to Kathmandu, as mentioned above, you can also travel by train. You can take the train to Nepal through Siriguri and Kakarpitha in the east, Bambasa and Bhimdatha in the west, or from the crossings at Jamunaha/Nepalgunj, Sunauli/Bhairawa and Raxaul/Birganj in the south. Then from these points, you can take a direct bus to Kathmandu, which lasts around 3 to 8 hours.
While taking the train seems time-consuming, it is convenient for those who are not comfortable with flying. Also, it is flexible for anyone to travel from almost anywhere in India to any border crossing, owing to the well-developed rail network in India.
Kathmandu to Lhasa by Overland
Overland travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa is quite popular among international tourists traveling between Nepal and Tibet. You will first take a bus to the Gyirong border, which takes about 7-8 hours. After going through customs at the border, our local Tibetan guide will meet you and escort you by car to Gyirong town, where you will spend a night to acclimatize to the altitude.
From there, your journey will begin, crossing the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa, passing through alpine mountains, vast grasslands, stunning lakes, and historical and cultural cities of Tibet. Once in Lhasa, you will experience the best of Tibetan culture and religion in this iconic city. The whole overland trip normally takes 8 days to cover a distance of about 1,300 kilometers.
Notice:
Due to a flash flood that occurred on July 7, 2025, the Friendship Bridge collapsed, and the Gyirong Port is temporarily closed now. In the meantime, the nearby Zhangmu Port has been temporarily reopened for tourists to enter Tibet from Nepal.
We will keep the information updated regarding the status of the Gyirong Port. If you have any questions about your itinerary, feel free to contact us for inquiries and personalized support.
You can visit Tibet Everest Base Camp when traveling overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Join our classic Kathmandu to Lhasa overland group for a hassle-free experience!
India to Tibet via Mainland China: The Flexible Way with More Choices
If you are interested in exploring more of China before your Tibet tour, you can also choose to transfer via mainland China. You can first fly from India to a mainland Chinese city, and then take a flight or train directly to Lhasa.
Currently, there are many flights from New Delhi to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Kunming. These flights can take about 11 to over 20 hours, often with stopovers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, etc. Besides, from Kolkata and Mumbai, you can also find flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, respectively.
Among all the arrival cities in mainland China, Chengdu is the most recommended gateway to Tibet. Located closer to Tibet, it offers the most frequent daily flights to Lhasa, which last only about 2.5 hours. Besides, you can also take the scenic train or enjoy an adventurous overland journey from Chengdu to Lhasa via the renowned G318 Highway.
You can take the Tibet train from mainland China to Lhasa along the famous Qinghai-Tibet Raliway.
What Documents are Required for Traveling to Tibet from India?
International tourists need to obtain certain documents to visit Tibet, like Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Visa - and this also applies to travelers from India. However, there are two different situations for Indian tourists, based on your passport type and travel itinerary.
For Regular Indian Passport Holders
If you are travelling to Tibet with a regular Indian passport and do not plan to travel to non-open areas of Ngari, like Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, you can follow the normal procedures to get the Tibet Travel Permit.
Just mail your copies of your passport and Chinese Visa to us at least 20 days before the departure of your tour. It will usually take 8-9 working days to go through the Tibetan Tourism Bureau to get the Tibet Travel Permit issued. With the permit, you are qualified to enter Tibet.
Besides, when you travel outside of Lhasa, such as the Everest Border Area, our tour guide will help you to apply for the Alien’s Travel Permit. But you don't need to worry about this, our travel agent will process all your relevant documents according to your itinerary.
Tibet Travel Permit is required for all foreigners to Tibet.
For Indian Pilgrims to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
If you hold an Indian passport and plan to go to Mount Kailash or Lake Manasarovar for pilgrimage, you can not apply for your permits through any regular travel agency.
Instead, there are currently only two organizations in Tibet that can authorize Indian pilgrims for pilgrimage, one is the Foreign Affair Office and the other is the non-governmental Pilgrimage Center. But you can also freely contact us for travel advice and tips for your Mount Kailash tours.
Join our most popular Lhasa and EBC tour for a smooth experience!
Conclusion
For anyone planning a visit to Tibet from India, you should not be frustrated since it does have convenient ways of getting into the plateau. Just choose the proper way for yourself, either transferring via Nepal or mainland China, according to your situation. And make it clear what kinds of permits you need to obtain and how you can apply for them.
If you still have questions about travelling to Tibet from India, please feel free to contact us for inquiries. We are always glad to help you enjoy a hassle-free Tibet journey.
Ask a Quick Question