Chengdu to Lhasa Flight

Taking a flight from Chengdu to Lhasa is the quickest and the most convenient way to get from mainland China to Tibet by plane. Compared to flights from other major cities in China, flights from Chengdu to Tibetan destinations are the cheapest as well. Chengdu Airport also offers the convenience of multiple daily flights, while flights from other cities typically take off either in the morning or in the evening. Finally, if your layover in Chengdu is long enough, you may wish to see Giant Pandas and visit the most laid-back city of China.

Chengdu to/from Lhasa Flights

Chengdu to Lhasa Flight Schedule

The entire flight from Chengdu to Lhasa takes about 2:30 hours, covering the distance of 1,261 kilometers/784 miles. Being the most important airline gateway to Tibet, Chengdu Airport handles the majority of direct flights to Lhasa. Accordingly, the airport of Chengdu receives the largest number of regular flights from Lhasa compared to other cities in the country. More so, airlines traveling from other Chinese destinations to Tibet are likely to fly via Chengdu.

Chengdu operates the most frequent daily non-stop flights to Lhasa.

The major airlines connecting Chengdu and Lhasa are Air China and Sichuan Airlines. Tibet Airlines, Lucky Air and China Southern Airlines are some other airlines connecting the capitals of Sichuan and Tibet. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, located some 15km/9mi from the city center, is the main airline hub of Sichuan. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the main airport in Tibet, located about 60km/37mi from the city of Lhasa.

In general, the lowest flight fares between these destinations are around $220. Flight deals are most expensive during the high season and national holidays, exceeding $500. The most affordable days for flying from Chengdu to Lhasa are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Aside from national holidays, Sunday is typically the most expensive day for traveling by airplane between these destinations. In general, there are approx. 20 daily departures, most of which take off before noon.

Chengdu to Lhasa Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	Air Line	Frequency
5:50 – 8:10	TV9853	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS
5:55 – 8:20	CA4405	Air China	MTWTFSS
6:00 – 8:15	TV9803	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS
6:10 – 8:35	3U8657	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
6:15 – 8:45	CA4403	Air China	MTWTFSS
6:35 – 9:00	EU2743	Chengdu Airlines	MTWTFSS
6:55 – 9:10	CA4401	Air China	MTWTFSS
7:20 – 9:50	3U8719	Sichuan Airlines	MWF Sunday
7:45 – 10:15	8L9665	Lucky Air	MWF Sunday
8:15 – 10:35	8L9665	Lucky Air	TT Saturday
8:25 – 10:50	CA407	Air China	TT Saturday
8:25 – 10:50	CA4445	Air China	MWF
8:25 – 10:55	3U8697	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
9:30 – 11:45	MU5825	China Eastern Airlines	MTWTFSS
10:55 – 13:35	CA4441	Air China	WF Sunday
11:35 – 14:15	3U8695	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
12:30 – 14:50	CA4112	Air China	MTWTFSS
13:15 – 15:35	TV9823	Tibet Airlines	MWF Sunday
21:00 – 23:20	TV9882	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS

Lhasa to Chengdu Flight Schedule

One-way flights between Lhasa, Tibet, and Chengdu, Sichuan, fluctuate from around $220 to over $500 depending on the day and season. For saving a certain amount of money, book a flight on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. The flight fares soar during high tourist season and national holidays. Flight times are around two hours. About 20 departures commonly take off from Lhasa Gonggar Airport daily.

Lhasa to Chengdu Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	Air Line	Frequency
7:05 – 9:10	CA3912	Air China	MTWTFSS
9:40 – 11:50	3U8658	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
9:55 – 12:10	CA3946	Air China	TTSS
10:05 – 12:00	TV9804	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS
10:25 – 12:35	3U8968	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
10:25 – 12:35	CZ4906	China Southern Airlines	MTWTFSS
10:35 – 12:35	CA4402	Air China	MTWTFSS
11:45 – 13:50	8L9666	Lucky Air	MTWTFSS
11:50 – 14:05	CA4446	Air China	TTS
12:05 – 14:05	3U5232	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
12:50 – 14:40	MU5474	China Eastern Airlines	Tuesday
13:15 – 15:15	CA442	Air China	TT Sunday
13:50 – 16:05	CA4406	Air China	MTWTFSS
15:15 – 19:00	CA4026	Air China	MF
15:20 – 17:30	3U8696	Sichuan Airlines	MTWTFSS
16:15 – 18:15	CA4111	Air China	MTWTFSS
17:50 – 19:55	CA4404	Air China	MTWTFSS
21:20 – 23:20	CA3944	Air China	MTWTFSS
22:10 – 00:10	TV9854	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is among main Chinese airline hubs. Except for South America, you have direct flights to Chengdu from every other continent. Direct flights to the capital of Sichuan are available from Rome, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Sydney among many other long-haul destinations. Chengdu exchanges direct flights with various Asian destinations, including Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo. You can also fly to Chengdu from many cities in China, some of which are Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Changsha.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the main airline hub for flights to Tibet.

Shuangliu Airport has two terminals. If you have a long layover at the airport, tour its shops, dine at eateries serving Chinese and international dishes or surf the web by courtesy of a free Wi-Fi. For visiting the city, which is some 15 km/9 mi away, take metro line 10. This affordable means of transport is the most convenient option considering possible traffic jams in Chengdu. To visit the Great Panda Breeding and Research Center, take off from metro 10 at the Taipingyuan station, catch metro 3, and take off at Dong Wu Yuan Station.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is the most important airline hub in Tibet. Located some 60 km/37 mi south of Lhasa, the airport features shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants. Buses and taxis provide transfers to the Tibetan capital city. Buses typically travel around an hour, while taxis need about 45 minutes to cover the distance. But, if you book a Tibet tour via us, a specialized travel agency for private and group Tibet tours, you benefit from free transfers to the city and back to the airport.

Additional Chengdu to Tibet Flights

There are two other operating airports in Tibet. These are Nyingchi and Shigatse. Fly to Nyingchi if you wish to visit heavenly Basum-tso Lake, Lulang Forest or Midui Glacier. Travel to Shigatse to visit Mount Everest, Tashilhunpo Monastery, and Gama Valley.

Chengdu to Nyingchi Flights

Direct flights are available from Chengdu to Nyingchi, a city located in the eastern Tibet. There are usually four daily direct flights departing from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Nyingchi Mainling Airport. These take off in the morning from 6 am to 8 am and spend around two hours in the air, with the last plane arriving in Nyingchi at 10 am. The returning flights from Nyingchi to Chengdu depart in the late morning, commonly from 9 am to 11 am. The flight time is about two hours, and the last flights usually arrives in Chengdu before 1 pm.

Chengdu to Nyingchi Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	AirLine	Frequency
6:20 – 8:15	CA4431	Air China	MTWTFSS
6:50 – 8:40	TV9847	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS
7:05 – 8:55	3U8693	Sichuan Airlines	TTSS
7:55 – 10:00	CA4251	Air China	MTWTFSS

Nyingchi to Chengdu Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	AirLine	Frequency
9:00 – 11:10	CA4432	Air China	MTWTFSS
9:45 – 11:45	3U8694	Sichuan Airlines	TT Saturday
10:20 – 12:25	TV9848	Tibet Airlines	MTWTFSS
10:50 – 12:45	CA4252	Air China	MTWTFSS

Chengdu to Shigatse Flights

There is only one daily flight from Chengdu to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. The plane leaves Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport around 6 am and arrives in Shigatse Peace Airport around 9 am. The flight back departs Shigatse at midday and lands at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport around mid-afternoon. Flights usually last around 2:30 hours.

Chengdu to Shigatse Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	AirLine	Frequency
6:15 – 8:55	TV9818	Tibet Airlines	MTTFSS

Shigatse to Chengdu Flight Schedule

Dep. - Arr.	Flight No.	AirLine	Frequency
12:00 – 14:30	TV9817	Tibet Airlines	MTWFSS

Travel Documents Required to Take a Chengdu to Lhasa Flight

If you are a foreign traveler, you need a valid passport, the Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Visa) to check yourself in at the airport. Tibet travel permit allows you to enter and tour the autonomous region. In fact, whether you tour Tibet by flight or train, only you have the Travel permit can you enter Tibet.

The only way to apply for the permit is via a Tibet travel agency. The document should be applied through your passport and China Visa, and you should apply for it at least a few weeks before the intended trip. With years of experiences, we can help to apply for your Tibet permit on behalf of you, and deliver it to your hotel in Chengdu before your departure.

If you wish to travel out of Lhasa and visit Shigatse, Mt. Everest or Mt. Kailash, you need to apply for Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Permit. You don't need these permits to board a flight to Tibet. While you may receive the Aliens Permit on the same day, apply for the Military Permit at least three weeks in advance. Your Tibet guide can help to apply for these documents when you arrive in Tibet.

Conclusion

With many daily departures, most affordable deals, and the shortest flight times, flying from Chengdu to Tibet is the best flight option. Before you start a trip, though, make necessary arrangements with a specialized and trustworthy agency, such as Tibettour.org, which will make sure that everything goes well.