Currently, more than a dozen cities in mainland China and Nepal offer daily direct flights to Tibet. Among them, several cities stand out as the most recommended departure points, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Xi’an, and Kathmandu. These cities either offer frequent flights, are located closer to Tibet, or provide convenient connections to international destinations.

Read this article to discover the details of these popular flight routes to Tibet. Find out why each one might be ideal for your journey, what the flight schedules are like, and how to enjoy a smooth and comfortable flight experience.

Chengdu: The Top-Recommended City with the Most Frequent Flights to Tibet

As the capital of Sichuan Province, which borders Tibetan Autonomous Region, Chengdu is the most popular gateway to Tibet, for both Chinese and international travelers.

Every day, Chengdu offers over 20 flights to Lhasa, far more frequent than any other departure city. These flights only take around 2 hours and start from $107 per person for economy class. Depart throughout the day from 6:25 am to 9:55 pm, the flights from Chengdu to Lhasa provide excellent flexibility to fit your travel schedule.

In addition to flights to Lhasa, Chengdu also has direct flights to other Tibetan destinations, including seven daily flights to Nyingchi and one daily flight to Shigatse. This allows you to travel directly to other areas of Tibet, or to land at a lower altitude first, such as Nyingchi, which helps you to better acclimatize to the plateau.

Moreover, Chengdu is a charming city to explore before your flight. It’s known for the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, spicy Sichuan cuisine and leisurely tea houses. Spending a day or two in Chengdu offers a fun and enriching cultural experience before you continue your journey to Tibet.

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Chongqing: Close Location and Multiple Daily Flights to Lhasa

Like Chengdu, Chongqing offers many daily flights to Lhasa and is located relatively close to Tibet. There are around 10 non-stop flights from Chongqing to Lhasa each day. Operated by major airlines such as Sichuan Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, these flights take about 2 hours and 40 minutes and start from about $123 per person.

As a large municipality situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Chongqing is also a major transportation hub in western China. You can easily reach Chongqing by flight or high-speed train from other parts of China, including Beijing and Shanghai. There are also direct international flights to Chongqing from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Sydney, Singapore, and more.

Before your flight to Tibet, you might enjoy exploring some of Chongqing’s top attractions, such as Ciqikou Ancient Town and Hongya Cave. Admire the city’s stunning night views, ride the Liziba Light Rail through a building, or take a Yangtze River cruise. It’s sure to be a memorable experience before your Tibet adventure begins.

Beijing: Easy International Connection with Direct Flights to Lhasa

As China’s capital, Beijing is one of the country’s busiest international hubs, receiving flights from nearly every continent. Whether you’re coming from the United States, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, or beyond, you can easily reach Beijing by air.

From Beijing, flights to Lhasa are also convenient, with up to four departures per day during the high travel season. Operated mainly by Air China and Tibetan Airlines, these flights take 4 to 5 hours to reach Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Ticket prices of Beijing to Lhasa flights start from around $212 per person, depending on the season.

In addition, Beijing offers the chance to experience some of China’s most iconic attractions. You won’t want to miss the world-famous Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and more. For first-time travelers to China looking to enjoy cultural sightseeing along with easy access to Tibet, Beijing is an excellent choice.

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Xi’an: Perfect for a Cultural Stop Before Flying to Tibet

If you’re curious about Chinese history, Xi’an is a fantastic city to include in your journey to Tibet. The city is not only known as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, but is also home to the world-famous Terracotta Army. Here, you can enjoy a rich cultural experience before venturing to the plateau.

Currently, there are eight daily flights from Xi’an to Lhasa, operated by Tibetan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines. Departing between 6:55 a.m. and 8:05 p.m., these flights take about three hours to reach Lhasa. One-way tickets start at around $100 per person.

Xi’an is also well-connected to other major cities in China. A popular option is to travel from Beijing to Xi’an by high-speed train, which takes about 4 to 6 hours. Additionally, there are frequent direct flights to Xi’an from cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and more.

Kathmandu: The Shortest Route with Scenic Himalayan Views

If you are looking for the shortest flight to Tibet, then flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu is your best option. Taking only about 1.5 hours, the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa also offers the breathtaking view of the Himalayas, including the Mount Everest on a clear day.

Operated by Himalaya Airlines, the flights from Kathmandu depart four times a week - at 8:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The flight arrives in Lhasa at around 12:05 pm local time, after about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Compared to flights from mainland China, flights from Nepal are relatively more expensive, starting from around $300 per person.

On the other hand, Kathmandu is also easily accessible from many countries, thanks to Nepal’s visa-on-arrival policy. Before continuing your flight journey to Tibet, you can also spend a couple of days exploring the rich cultural heritages of this former royal capital, including Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Explore exotic Tibet on this overland journey across the Roof of the World.

Insider Tips for a Smooth Flight to Tibet

Whichever city you choose to fly from, a few insider tips can help make your flight to Tibet smoother and more enjoyable:

1. Book Early, Especially in High Season: flights to Tibet are always in high demand, especially during the peak season from May to October. Make sure to book your ticket well in advance, so that you can have more chances to secure your preferred travel date and get a cheaper flight.

2. Prepare Your Tibet Travel Permit: before you can board a flight to Lhasa, the Tibet Travel Permit is required. But no worries - we will guarantee your Tibet Travel Permit as long as you book your Tibet tour with us. Just contact us 20 days in advance to allow time for processing.

3. Double-Check Your Departure Airport: Some cities, like Chengdu, have more than one airport that operates flights to Tibet. Be sure to check which airport your flight departs from, so you don’t risk going to the wrong one and missing your flight.

4. Use Our Free Airport Transfer Service: For a smooth transfer from Lhasa Airport to downtown, we offer free airport transfer service to our clients. Our guide will meet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport and then take you directly to your hotel, ensuring a hassle-free start to your Tibet journey.

5. Plan for Relaxed Days Upon Arrival: Lhasa lies at an altitude of 3650 meters, which may cause altitude sickness for those from lower regions. To help your body adjust, it is wise to take it easy on your first few days, even if you feel fine.

Conclusion

When taking a flight to Tibet, Chengdu ranks as the top recommended city due to its frequent departures and short duration. However, other cities like Chongqing, Beijing, Xi’an and Kathmandu also offer unique advantages for starting your flight journey to Tibet. Whichever route you choose, you can enjoy a smooth experience, with proper preparations such as obtaining your Tibet Travel Permit.

As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experiences, we are here to ensure you a hassle-free journey. From flight booking and permit arrangements to airport pick-up, we provide friendly and professional services tailored to your needs. Feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today!