Traveling from Beijing to Kathmandu is not hard as you may think, despite of the long distance between the two cities. Based on your plans and interests, you can find the best transportation options, whether it's by flight, train, or even overland. In this guide, we'll explore how to travel from Beijing to Kathmandu, giving you all the information you need for your upcoming trip. Read on to get inspired!

How Far is Beijing from Kathmandu? Overview of Distance and Location

The straight-line distance between Beijing and Kathmandu is approximately 3,154 kilometers, while the road distance is 4,745 kilometers.

Geographically, Beijing is situated in northern China, while Kathmandu is nestled in the Himalayan foothills of central Nepal. The two cities are separated by diverse terrains, including the Tibetan Plateau. Although there is no direct transportation available, convenient options such as flights, trains, and overland routes connect the two cities.

Beijing to Kathmandu by Flight: Connecting via Chengdu is the Easiest Way

Currently, there is no direct flight from Beijing to Kathmandu. You need to take a connecting flight, which will have one or more stops in major cities in China. Popular cities for connecting flights from Beijing to Kathmandu include Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kunming, and Lhasa.

If you want to save time on the journey, you can take a connecting flight from Beijing to Kathmandu via Chengdu, which will take as little as 7 to 8 hours. Moreover, there are many flights from Beijing to Chengdu as well as from Chengdu to Kathmandu, making connecting flights very convenient.

Flights from Beijing to Chengdu depart dozens of times every day and take about 3 hours. These flights run throughout the day, from as early as 6:55 AM to as late as 10:00 PM, with costs starting at around $124. After arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, you can transfer to a direct flight to Kathmandu. It usually takes around 3 hours to fly from Chengdu to Kathmandu, and there are 1 to 2 nonstop flights available.

The flight price from Beijing to Kathmandu varies based on the distance and connecting cities. However, you can try to find a suitable flight at a cheaper price by booking in advance and comparing different booking platforms. If possible, avoid high seasons like October in China when flights to almost everywhere are more expensive.

Beijing to Kathmandu by Overland: Enjoying the World-class Road Trip via Lhasa

For tourists seeking adventure and exploration, a road trip from Beijing to Kathmandu offers more experiences and sights than a single flight. Given the long distance, it's recommended to first first take a flight or train to Lhasa and then continue overland to Kathmandu. This is also a popular route for a China Tibet Nepal tour.

If you are short on time, we recommend flying to the plateau. Direct flights from Beijing to Lhasa depart three times daily at 7:45 AM, 12:35 PM, and 2:55 PM, taking about four hours to reach Lhasa Gonggar Airport.

Then from Lhasa, you can take the world-class road trip to Kathmandu, experiencing the most iconic attractions of Tibet along the way. It’s advisable to spend a couple of days in Lhasa first to acclimate to the high altitude.

Starting from Lhasa, you’ll drive westward to Shigatse, then to the Gyirong border before reaching Kathmandu, following the smooth G318 National Highway. Along the route, you can visit the beautiful Yamdrok Lake, the grand Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, and even make a detour to Everest Base Camp.

The final leg from the Gyirong border to Kathmandu is relatively challenging due to poor road conditions, but it is short compared to the entire journey. Overall, the overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, including city sightseeing in Lhasa, takes about one week.

Beijing to Kathmandu by Train: Experiencing the Sky Train along Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Currently, there is no direct train from Beijing to Kathmandu. However, you can travel from Beijing to Lhasa by train as part of the journey. The Beijing to Lhasa train departs daily at 19:53 and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 11:36 on the third day, taking about 40 hours. Though it is a long journey of two days and two nights, you will enjoy breathtaking scenery along the way.

After passing Xining, the start of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you will witness various distinctive landscapes, such as snow-capped mountains, turquoise plateau lakes, grassy meadows dotted with yaks and sheep, and Gobi deserts. Landmarks along the Qinghai-Tibet train route include Qinghai Lake, Changtang Prairie, Tanggula Pass, Kunlun Mountains, and Kekexili Nature Reserve.

As this is one of the most popular train routes to Lhasa, and ticket availability is limited, it is recommended to book your Beijing to Lhasa train ticket in advance. During the peak season from May to October, there is a large influx of domestic tourists traveling to Tibet.

While from Lhasa, there is currently a train to Shigatse. This route, an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, opened in 2014. The train departs twice daily, at 8:00 and 13:30, and takes about two and a half hours to reach Shigatse.

As for the complete train route from Lhasa to Kathmandu, it is expected to open in the near future. There are plans to extend the Lhasa-Shigatse route to Gyirong County at the Sino-Nepal border. The section from Shigatse to Gyirong is under construction, and following its completion, construction will begin on the 126 km stretch from Gyirong to Kathmandu.

Do I Need Permits to Travel from Beijing to Kathmandu?

If you choose to travel from Beijing to Kathmandu via Lhasa, you will need to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, which is required to enter Tibet. This permit can only be applied for through a local travel agency on behalf of tourists. However, if you book your tour with us, we can help you obtain it for free.

The process of getting the Tibet Travel Permit through us is simple. You only need to send us copies of your Chinese visa and passport, and we will handle the rest. Once the permit is issued, we will send it to your address in Beijing, so you can use it to board the train or flight to Lhasa. Additionally, we can assist with booking your train or flight tickets to Lhasa, making your China Tibet Nepal journey smoother and worry-free.

Conclusion

Getting from Beijing to Kathmandu can be done in various ways. For time-limited travelers, a connecting flight via Chengdu is the most convenient option. For road trip lovers, the overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu across the Himalayas is a must. Rail enthusiasts can also take the scenic train ride from Beijing to Lhasa as part of the journey. If you still have any questions about traveling from Beijing to Kathmandu, please feel free to contact us.