Getting in Tibet

By Air:
Daily flights to Lhasa operate from many major cities in China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzen, Xian, Chongqing, Kunming, Zhongdian and Chengdu has at least 8 direct daily flights to Lhasa.
Flights from Kathmandu airport to Lhasa operate at least four times a week in high tourist season. Lhasa airport (Gongkar airport) is located about 1 hours drive from Lhasa and it is 95 km. Tourists easily get Taxi in Lhasa airport to take you main city of Lhasa but most of tourists will have transport pre-arranged.

There is also an airport at Bangda, serving Chamdo, in Eastern Tibet. Flights to Chamdo only operate from Chengdu and Lhasa. However it is necessary for foreign tourists to obtain special permits from Tibet tours operator from Lhasa in order to use Chamdo airport.

By Road:
Roads link Tibet to other provinces in China in all directions. Main roads go to Kashgar, Golmud, Xining, Chengdu and Kunming.
The Friendship Highway leads from the Nepal border to Lhasa. It takes about 15 hours to drive non-stop from the Nepal border to Lhasa and Kathmandu to Kodari (Tibet border) it takes about 4 hours to drive non-stop on private vehicle. But most tourists take five or six days to cover this route taking in the sights of Everest Base Camp, Shigatse, Gyantse and Yamdrok Tso on the way.

By Rail:
A railway service now operates to Lhasa from many major cities in China. From Xining the journey time is about 22 hrs. and much longer from other cities. It is advisable to reserve train tickets to/from Lhasa several days in advance, though it is usually not possible to book tickets more than 10 days in advance. Lhasa railway station is close to main city of Lhasa.