For tourists planning to travel to Tibet from the United Kingdom, there are currently no direct flights available. However, you can take flights to either mainland China or Nepal to enter Tibet. In this article, we will introduce the five best ways to get to Tibet from the UK by air. Read on to get inspired for your forthcoming Tibet journey.

How Far is Tibet from UK? The Location Map of China Tibet and the UK

Located in southwest China, Tibet is in the heart of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is an autonomous region in China and borders countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibetan Autonomous Region, is a famous religious and cultural center and the largest city in Tibet.

The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is located in the northwest of the European continent and consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom.

Location Map of China Tibet and the UK

Geographically, the UK is approximately 7,000 kilometers (approximately 4,350 miles) away from Tibet. This is a considerable distance that requires air travel or crossing multiple countries and regions. However, with the continuous advancement of transportation, traveling from the UK to Tibet is now easier and easier.

Option 1: Flights to Tibet from UK via Beijing: The Most Popular Choice

Flights run direct from the United Kingdom to several destinations in mainland China, from where you can get connecting flights to Lhasa. And Beijing, as the capital city of China, is the most popular choice for transferring. For tourists who are not in a hurry, you can spend some time in Beijing exploring China's representative attractions and architecture, like the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall.

The flight from London to Beijing runs directly five times a day, operated by Air China, Southern Airlines or British Airways. The flight with Air China actually arrives at the Beijing Capital International Airport, while the British Airways flight and Southern Airlines flights land in the nearby Beijing Daxing International Airport, around 43 kilometers from the city center of Beijing.

Beijing Daxing International Airport

The flights take from 9 hours 40 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes, and can cost from between 572 and 604 US dollars per person for economy class. All flights arrive the day after departure, due to time differences between the United Kingdom and China.

On the other hand, the flights from Beijing to Lhasa run only three times a day, and depart separately at 7:35 am, 12:35 am and 14:45 pm. In most cases, you will not be able to get the connecting flights the same day, and will need to stop over in Beijing for an added day to catch the flights to Lhasa the next morning. Averagely, the flights from Beijing to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport take around 4 hours and cost from as much as 426 US dollars per person.

Option 2: Flights to Tibet from UK via Shanghai: Gateway to the East

In addition to Beijing, Shanghai is also a good choice for British tourists to take connecting flights to Tibet. As one of China's largest cities, Shanghai has world-class airport facilities and services, making flight options from the UK to Shanghai even more extensive. You can also take the chance to explore this international metropolis located in the eastern port of China.

Currently, there are five direct flights from London to Shanghai, which arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport the day after departure from London. The flights to Shanghai take from 11 hours and 20 minutes to 12 hours and 45 minutes and can cost as much as $542 US dollars per person for an economy class ticket.

Flights from London to Shanghai arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

From Shanghai, there are two direct flights to Lhasa every day, which depart at 6:45 am from Pudong International Airport or at 14:10 pm from Hongqiao International Airport. The morning flight is operated by China Eastern and will stop in Xi’an for 1.5 hours, while the afternoon flight offered by Tibetan Airlines will stop in Chengdu for one hour and 40 minutes. Roughly taking around eight hours, the flights from Shanghai to Lhasa cost around $425 US dollars per person.

Option 3: Flights to Tibet from UK via Guangzhou: Exploring Southern China

Guangzhou is an important aviation hub in southern China. Tourists from the United Kingdom can fly directly to Guangzhou and then transfer to Tibet smoothly, saving time and energy.

There are one or two flights from London to Guangzhou every day, departing at 11:50 am from Gatwick Airport or at 22:10 pm from Heathrow International Airport, and arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport the next day. The direct flight takes around 11 hours and 45 minutes and can cost as much as 591 US dollars per person.

From Guangzhou to Lhasa, there are two direct flights departing from Baiyun International Airport at around 7:50 am or 8:05 am daily. The flights from Guangzhou to Lhasa take around 6 hours to reach Lhasa and cost from around 320 US dollars per person for one-way economy tickets. Several indirect flights arrive in time to catch the morning flight to Lhasa, but if you are not in a hurry, spending the day in Guangzhou can be enlightening.

Option 4: Flights to Tibet from UK via Hong Kong: Convenient Access to Asia

Hong Kong stands out as one of the most connected cities in Asia for flights originating from the United Kingdom, boasting 6 to 7 non-stop flights from London Heathrow International Airport daily.

Hong Kong is one of the most connected cities in Asia for flights from UK.

These flights typically cost around $462 per person and have a duration of approximately 12 to 13 hours. Departures from Hong Kong International Airport occur in the afternoon or at night, ranging from 12:20 pm to 20:35 pm, with arrivals varying throughout the day. Depending on your itinerary, you can opt for a same-day connecting flight or spend a few days exploring Hong Kong before continuing your journey to Tibet.

While there are currently no direct flights from Hong Kong to Tibet, convenient transfers are available in Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Beijing, and Shanghai to reach Lhasa. Among these options, flights via Chengdu are highly recommended due to its frequent flights to Lhasa compared to other cities. The flight duration from Hong Kong to Chengdu is approximately 2.5 hours, with a cost of $283 per person, while flights from Chengdu to Lhasa take around 2 hours and cost $155 per person.

Option 5: Flights to Tibet from UK via Kathmandu: Only International Flight to Lhasa

While direct flights from the United Kingdom to Nepal are not available, you can opt for connecting flights to this Himalayan country located on the edge of the plateau. Furthermore, these flights tend to be relatively inexpensive compared to flights to mainland China, with the possibility of securing a good connecting flight with 1-2 connections for as little as $303 per person.

However, a downside to this option is the potential need for overnight layovers in other countries en route to Nepal, although none exceed the 24-hour limit allowed for airport transits. Departures for these flights are available from London Heathrow International Airport, London Luton International Airport, London Stansted International Airport, and London Gatwick International Airport.

You can tour Kathmandu while you stop in Nepal.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, immediate connecting flights to Lhasa are not feasible. Instead, you will need to allocate 3-5 days to process your Chinese Group Visa in Kathmandu. Additionally, daily direct flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu have not fully resumed and are currently only operational three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For other days, it may be necessary to transfer via Chengdu. We recommend contacting us in advance for flight booking information if you are uncertain about the schedule.

Permits for Traveling from the UK to Tibet by Flight

For British tourists entering Tibet from mainland China, you will need to obtain a Chinese Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit. The Chinese Visa can be applied for by yourself in your own country or a third country. Meanwhile, the Tibet Travel Permit will be processed by us on your behalf and may take around 10-15 days to procure. Therefore, it's essential to book your Tibet tour with us early to initiate the application process.

For those entering from Nepal, you will require the Chinese Group Visa, as mentioned above, in addition to the Tibet Travel Permit. The Chinese Group Visa cannot be applied for individually, but we can handle it on your behalf, along with the Tibet Travel Permit. Simply contact us in advance and be in Kathmandu at least 4 days before your departure to Tibet from Nepal.

Additionally, there are other permits required for travel to Tibet, which can be processed once you arrive in Lhasa, depending on your travel itinerary on the plateau. If you plan to visit Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet, you will also need to obtain the Aliens’ Travel Permit. Furthermore, the Military Permit is essential for those intending to go to the Mount Kailash region. Rest assured, we will take care of all the necessary Tibet travel documents for you as long as you book your Tibet tour with us.

Conclusion

Taking flights to Tibet from the United Kingdom is not as difficult as you might imagine. By selecting one of the suggested methods mentioned above, you can also enjoy a relatively smooth transfer to Lhasa via Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Kathmandu. Alternatively, if you have different preferences or alternative routes in mind, feel free to contact us for inquiries. We are always here to help you with your trip to Tibet.