Lhasa Transportation - Get to Lhasa & Get Around Lhasa

Lhasa has the most number of flights in Tibet, operating dozens of domestic flights originated from various cities in China: Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shangri-La, Lanzhou, Xining, Lijiang, etc. Among all the cities, Chengdu is the most popular gateway to Lhasa, because Chengdu offers over 20 non-stop flights to Lhasa every day. Besides, you can also transfer to international destination or fly back to home country from the above major gateway cities.

International Flight to Lhasa

Lhasa has established international air routes connecting to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Singapore, and Hong Kong. These flights are operated by multiple carriers, including Himalaya Airlines, West Air, and Tibet Airlines.

Kathmandu – Lhasa: During peak season like summer, there is a daily non-stop flight, taking about 1.5 hours. The schedule may adjust to 4 non-stop flights per week in the off-season.

Singapore – Lhasa: This route operates with 3 weekly flights, including a stop in Chongqing with a total journey time of approximately 10.5 hours (including the stop).

Pokhara – Lhasa: This route is another key air link between China and Nepal after Lhasa-Kathmandu. It offers 1 non-stop flight per week, taking about 1.5 hours.

Hong Kong - Lhasa: It is served by 2 weekly flights with a stop in Chengdu. Total travel time is about 7.5 hours including the stop.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

As the biggest and most important airport in Tibet, Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA, 拉萨贡嘎国际机场) is known as one of the highest airports in the world with an altitude of 3,570 m. The Airport is located in Gonggar County, Shannan City, Tibet, about 60km to downtown Lhasa City. It takes about 1h~1.5hrs to drive from the airport to central Lhasa area. There are airport shuttle buses in fixed route and flexible taxies you can take, normally the bus costs about 25 CNY and taxi fee is around 150-200 CNY to the centralized accommodation Barkhor Street area. Tibet Discovery will offer all-inclusive package including convenient and comfortable pickup and drop off service and quality Tibet tour for you if you take our tour package.

Check more about Flights to Tibet 丨 Lhasa Flights Scheduel

Lhasa is well connected with main popular domestic tourist cities. Currently, passengers can take direct trains to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xining. If you are in the passing by cities like Xian, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, Shijiazhuang, Changsha and so on, you can also catch the Lhasa trains. The daily direct trains to Lhasa costs around 20.5~53.5 hours based on the distance to Lhasa, while Chengdu and Chongqing run trains to Lhasa every other day for about 34~34.5 hours duration. There are 3 kinds of seats are available on each specilized plateau train: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seats. Better plan your itinerary as early as possible, because each kind of ticket is in highly demand and difficult to book in summer peak seasons.

Connecting with Lhasa - Major Lhasa Train Routes in Tibet

Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, is located approximately 270 kilometers southwest of Lhasa. The fastest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities is by the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway. The journey takes about 2.5 hours on modern, comfortable trains, with 2~3 scheduled departures daily. For travelers seeking a more scenic and comprehensive experience, a popular option is to drive from Lhasa to Shigatse, passing major attractions like Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and Palcho Monastery in Gyantse. This route takes a full day (about 8~9 hours) but is rich in sightseeing. To save time on the return trip while experiencing another mode of travel, many visitors then take the train back from Shigatse to Lhasa, completing a convenient and diverse travel loop.

Nyingchi, Swizerland in Tibet, is about 400 kilometers east of Lhasa. The most efficient way to travel between the two cities is by the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, which offers 2 daily services and completes the journey in approximately 3.5 to 5.5 hours.

Lhasa Railway Station

Sits in southwest Lhasa, the Lhasa Railway Station (拉萨火车站) is the terminal and the biggest station of Qinghai Tibet Railway. It is located in Liuwu New District, southwest of Lhasa, nearly 10km to the downtown Lhasa area, for about 30mins riding to Potala Palce from the railway station. At an elevation of 3,641 meters above sea level, the railway station build on plateau is about 71meters higher than Lhasa Gonggar Airport, so please walk slowly when you get out of the train station against altitude sickness.

Check more information about Tibet Lhasa Train Schedule & Ticket Price

Train to Lhasa Routes Summary

In Lhasa City, famous destinations Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monaster and Norbulingka are concentrated in downtown area within short distance. Independent tourists can take a bus or taxi to those attractions. The bus fee is cheap (1~2 CNY per person), while taxi usually charges fare over 10 to dozens of CNY based on driving distance. As international travelers are generally required to join organized tours to visit Lhasa, both public buses and taxis can be less convenient or practical.

Private Transfer with Tibet Discovery

If you book a Tibet tour with us, we can arrange seamless private transportation, from your airport or train station pickup to transfers between your hotel and all attractions. We also offer customized itineraries that take care of the details of your trip, including tickets, meals, accommodations, and more. Feel free to contact us for details.

Recommended Day Trips from Lhasa by Car

Namtso Lake, the highest lake in the world and the second largest lake in Tibet, located in the northwest of Lhasa, is about 200 km to Lhasa. Tourists will spend around 4~5 hours' drive from Lhasa to this holy lake via the National Highway 109 which is in relatively good road condition.

Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three holy lakes, is located about 110 km southwest of Lhasa, with 2~2.5 hours' drive. The journey itself is spectacular, following mountain roads that offer breathtaking vistas before revealing the lake's stunning, turquoise-blue waters. The classic way to experience Yamdrok Lake is by car along the lakeshore drive. This allows visitors to stop at several iconic viewpoints.

1. Acclimatize Gradually: For travelers who visit Lhasa Tibet the first time, taking a train to Lhasa from cities at a lower elevation helps to acclimate themselves to high altitude if time allows.

2. Book Early: Book your tour package as early as possible, for it’s difficult to buy ticket of flight or train in summer peak season. Tibet Discovery will work out a professional and reliable tour arrangement for you.

3. Prepare Fully: Get everything ready before you go. Packing well (prepare your passport, cloth, permits, supplies, common medicines and other useful goods) and know some info about the weather, customs, etc. Especially do lots of protection against sunburn and high altitude sickness. Since foreign tourists must be accompanied by local tour guide and driver, you are free to contact the local guide, driver or us once need some help during the Tibet travel.