How to Get to Lhasa

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet autonomous region and also the transportation hub of Tibet. Tourists who would like to visit Tibet usually arrive at Lhasa first. There are trains and flights available in Lhasa.

By Plane

Lhasa Gonggar Aiport is located about 60 kilometers southwest of the downtown. There are flights between Lhasa and Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xian, Lanzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Changdu, Xining and Linzhi.Book a Flight Ticket

There are airport buses available at the airport. If you would like to take a taxi, you’d better make a deal before you get ont he car. It may cost CNY100-200 per ride.

By Train

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway has been in operation since July 1st, 2006. The total length is 1956 kilometers.
Book a Train Ticket

Lhasa Train Station

There are trains available between Lhasa and Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining. Some trains are not available everyday. Check the availability before you plan your trip. The sleeper tickets of the trains to Lhasa are usually very tight especially in peak season (June to September). It’s best to book the tickets two months in advance.

Though it takes some tome to take a train to Lhasa, train travel is still the best way to go to Tibet. Since Tibet is located in plateau areas of a high altitude of over 3600 km, most tourists are likely to suffer from altitude sickness. Train travel allows passengers to take time to adapt to plateau acclimation and there is oxygen facilities equipped on the train. What’more, tourists will enjoy the stunning landscape along the train travel.

Most tourists visit Tibet will suffer from altitude sickness when they just arrive. It will take several days to adapt the altitude.

Arriving at Lhasa Train Station

Lhasa Train Station is located in the southwest of the downtown. It is about 7 kilometers away from the Potala Palace.

Public bus: No.1, 14 Bus

Taxi: You’d better make a deal before getting the car. It may cost CNY20-30 from the airport to the downtown.

Train schedule

Departure station	Arrival Station	Train Number	Departure time	Arrival Time	Duration	Ticket fare
						Soft sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Beijing West	Lhasa	Z21	20:10	13:03	40:53	1144	720	360
Shanghai	Lhasa	Z164	19:16	17:40	46:24	1262.5	793.5	402.5
Guangzhou	Lhasa	Z264	11:42	16:23	52:41	1468	865	447
Xining	Lhasa	Z6801	11:56	11:39	20:43	781	495	224
Lanzhou	Lhasa	Z917	12:17	11:39	23:22	823	522	240
Congqing North	Lhasa	T222	20:23	14:16	41:53	1123	709	352
Chengdu	Lhasa	T22	20:45	14:16	41:31	1062	668	328

 

Note: Trains from Xining, Lanzhou, Chongqing North and Chengdu to Lhasa are available every other day.

Foreign tourists who would like to visit Tibet must have a Tibet Permit before entering Tibet. Tourists could get the Tibet Permit through a travel agency. It’s best to apply the permit at least 20 days in advance.

How to Get to Lhasa