Visiting Tibet in 2025 or 2026 is easier than ever, and choosing the best way to get there and explore will make your trip even more special. One of the most recommended ways to reach Tibet is to take the train via Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which offers both convenience and breathtaking scenery.

Since independent travel is not allowed, joining a small group tour is the easiest and most effective way to explore Tibet. Depending on your time and interests, you can follow the classic 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp route or an in-depth 15-day journey to Mount Kailash.

Keep reading to discover the top options for traveling to Tibet. Whether it’s your first time or return visit, this expert guide will help you plan a smooth, comfortable and truly enriching journey to Tibet.

Best Way to Get to Tibet: Fly to Xining and Take the Tibet Train to Lhasa

Taking the Tibet Train from Xining is the most recommended way to enter Tibet. Following the world-famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, this journey offers the most scenic stretch of all train routes to Tibet. Starting from Xining, you will pass breathtaking landscapes, from vast grasslands to turquoise lakes, rolling mountains and herds of grazing yaks, before reaching the holy city of Lhasa.

What’s more, Xining is well-connected to many major cities across China by direct flight. You can easily fly to Xining from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other hubs in as low as 2.5 hours. This greatly shorten your overall travel time while still allowing you to enjoy the scenic train ride.

The Xining to Lhasa train also offers frequent daily departures, around 6 to 7 times per day. In just about 20 hours, you can reach Lhasa within a single day. To make the most of the views, choose a train that leaves in the evening, so you’ll pass through the most spectacular stretches of the railway during the daylight hours.

Due to its popularity, tickets for the Xining to Lhasa train are always in high demand, especially in peak season from April to October. But no worries - when you book your Tibet train tour with us, we will guarantee you a soft sleeper ticket, ensuring you a smooth and comfortable ride to the plateau.

Take the most popular Everest Base Camp tour after arriving in Lhasa by train.

Another Best Way to Enter Tibet: Overland Travel or Direct Flight from Nepal

Another popular route to enter Tibet is from Nepal, either by overland or flight. It is convenient to get to Nepal from many international countries, and you can also combine the journey of these two charming Himalayan destinations.

For adventurous tourists or those preferring a road trip, overland travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the ideal choice. The route is an epic journey itself, taking you through a collection of breathtaking natural and cultural spots across Tibetan Plateau.

After crossing the border, you will first explore the lush Gyirong Valley and get used to the altitude. As you ascend to the plateau, you will first reach Everest Base Camp, where you will see the world’s highest peak in all its grandeur.

After that, travel to Shigatse to explore majestic Tashilhunpo Monastery, then continue past turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Finally, you will reach Lhasa and end your trip with a classic exploration of this city’s cultural wonders, including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

If you have limited time or want a quick transfer to Lhasa from Nepal, you can choose to fly. The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa takes only about 1.5 hours, and departs four times per week (every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). On clear days, you may have the chance to see Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks across the horizon.

Best Time to Travel to Tibet: April to October

Tibet is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is from April to October. These months offer the most pleasant weather and most breathtaking scenery, with more opportunities for outdoor activities.

From April to June, Tibet awakens from the cold winter and welcomes everyone with its mild spring weather. This is the season to see clear mountain views like Everest, and to do trekking in the fresh air and bright days. You will also see blooming flowers across the plateau, including the famous peach blossom in Nyingchi.

July and August are the summertime and rainy season in Tibet. The rainfall seldom disrupts your plan, as it usually falls in the evening. Besides, you will see the most vibrant and lush landscapes of the plateau. This is also a great time to attend some grand Tibetan festivals.

Autumn months from September to October bring dry and sunny days, crisp air and clear skies back to Tibet. This is the ideal time for photography, with golden landscape as the perfect backdrop. You can trek to Everest or take the holy Kailash kora, and enjoy relatively fewer tourists in the cities.

Take a Mount Everest tour between April and October for the best experience!

Best Way to Explore Tibet: Join a Small Group Tour

Please note that independent travel is not allowed in Tibet. All international tourists need to join an organized tour to visit. Among the available options, the best way to explore Tibet is by joining a small group tour.

By taking a small group tour, you can save costs on your Tibet trip. You can share the private vehicle, accommodation and guide fees with the members of your group, so as to cut down the overall expenses. This is especially perfect for budget-friendly tourists and solo travelers.

Another benefit of the small group tour is the chance to meet like-minded travelers from around the world. You may find lifelong friends on these journeys.

Our small group tours cover a wide range of classic Tibet travel routes, with tourist-friendly service throughout your journey. We take care of every detail of your trip, from Tibet Travel Permit to train or flight tickets, hotels, expert Tibetan guides and experienced drivers. All you need to do is relax and enjoy a smooth and worry-free journey in Tibet.

Best Tibet Travel Route for First-time Visitors: 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour

For first-timers to Tibet, no route compares to the 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour. This journey showcases Tibet’s most iconic natural and cultural attractions, and allows you to see Mt. Everest up close. Following a gradual ascent,it suitable for travelers of all ages, from kids to seniors.

Beginning in Lhasa, you will first explore the city’s cultural wonders, including the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, the holy Jokhang Temple, and the bustling Barkhor Street, etc. Then travel westwards to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, before continuing to Shigatse city, the second largest city of Tibet.

Next, you will reach Gawula Pass, a breathtaking viewpoint to see five of the world’s highest peaks in the Himalayan range. Then following the winding road, you will finally reach Everest Base Camp, the ultimate site to view the majesty of the world’s highest mountain.

After taking in the grandeur of Mount Everest - whether at a sunrise or under a starry night sky - you will return to Lhasa via another scenic path. On the way back, you will enjoy a final glimpse of Mt Everest at Dingye and visit the historic Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Best Tibet Travel Route for a Deeper Journey: 15-day Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Tour

If you prefer an in-depth exploration of Tibet or are ready for a more spiritual adventure, then the 15 days Lhasa to Mount Kailash tour is the ideal choice. This journey let you venture to central and western Tibet, including a visit to Everest Base Camp and a trek around Mount Kailash.

On the first stage, you will follow the classic route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, and visit highlights along the way, including Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, and Mount Everest. Then, travel westwards to Saga and onward to Darchen, the starting point of Mount Kailash kora trek.

At Mount Kailash, you will embark on the 3-day trek around the sacred mountain, which is one of the most revered pilgrimages in Asia. Even for non-religious travelers, you can get spiritual enlightenment and profound experience from this trek.

After the trek, you will visit the peaceful Lake Manasarovar, before taking a different road back to Lhasa. Along the way, you will also explore the lush Gyirong Valley and enjoy a gentle hike through its ancient forest.

Best Way to Experience Authentic Tibet: Travel with a Local Tibetan Agency

The travel agency you choose directly influences how your Tibet tour unfolds. To ensure the most authentic and responsible experience, it’s best to book with a local Tibetan travel agency.

Local agencies know the land, the people, the classic travel routes, as well as the hidden off-the-beaten-path attractions. They arrange local guides who truly understand Tibet’s cultural and history, and local drivers who have navigated the plateau’s diverse roads for years.

By choosing a local travel agency, you also support local community. Your money directly supports Tibetan guides, drivers and their families. Traveling with Tibetans also allows you to connect more with the land and its people.

As the leading Tibet travel agency based in Lhasa, we have over 20 years of experience in operating Tibet tours. We carefully handle every detail, from permits to hotels and vehicles. Traveling with us is just like exploring with a local friend, and whether you join a private or a small group, we’ll show you the real Tibet.

Join our most popular Kailash Manasarovar tour for the most authentic experience!

Conclusion

Traveling to Tibet in 2025 or 2026 becomes more accessible and rewarding. By choosing the right time, proper travel route, and a local travel agency, your journey will be truly seamless, enriching and authentic. If you still have questions about how to travel to Tibet, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today. We’re happy to help you realize your dream trip to the Roof of the World.