Lhasa Transportation

By plane:
Most foreign travelers arrive in Tibet by plane. From China, Chengdu is the easiest and most popular starting point. Daily flights carry tourists to Lhasa in about 2 hours and cost RMB1200. Chongqing, a neighboring city, also has flights to Tibet. However, there are only two flights every week. It is also possible to go from Beijing and Xi'an (only one flight every week).Luckily, Flights from Shanghai are new, operating on Wednesdays and Sundays. Travelers in Nepal may also fly from Kathmandu.

Gonggar Airport is 98 km south of Lhasa city. Airport buses take tourists to the city soon after they arrive. The drive costs foreigners RMB40 and takes about two hours. Taking a taxi costs RMB250 to RMB300. Minibuses from Shigatse to Lhasa also stop outside the airport to make extra money.

By bus:
The only overland way out of Lhasa is to Golmud in Qinghai Province. The journey takes between 30 to 50 hours, depending on road conditions. Tickets for Golmud can be bought at the main bus station, south of the Lhasa Hotel. Prices are RMB424 for a Japanese sleeper bus or RMB244 for a clapped-out Chinese bus. It is also possible to continue the journey all the way to Xining, the capital of Qinhai Province. Long-distance buses also go to other places in Tibet, such as Shigatse, Tsetang, Chamdo and Bayi, although this can be difficult and expensive for western travelers.

The bus station in Lhasa is located southwest of Barkhor Square and has departures to Medro, and Gungkar to visit Drigung Til Monastery and Lhundrub to visit Talung Monastery.

Thanks to the increasing number of tourists, minibus, as mentioned above, has become a booming industry in Tibet. The area south of Barkhor Square is where minibuses set off for Tsurphu Monastery and Deprung Monastery. Another place to look for a minibus is in front of the Kirey Hotel, where there are daily minibuses to Naqu, Samye and Shigatse.

Rented Vehicles:
Many foreigners have realized the convenience and comfort of travelling in Tibet by rented vehicle. The most popular route is from Lhasa to the Nepalese border, Zhongmu, past Yamdrok-tso, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Everest Base Camp and Tingri. Other good ideal destinations include Mt Kailash and Nam-tso. Since travelling by Land Cruiser is more expensive than by bus, it is advisable to talk to other travellers to get the latest information on which agencies are offering good deals and which are ripping people off.

Land cruisers have the capacity for up to five travellers, along with the mandatory guide who will do nothing of the sort, and the driver, who will appear to be doing his best to run both you and all other vehicles off the road. The land cruisers cost Y1000 per day, so it is of course most economical to travel in a group of five. An itinerary must be decided upon and submitted to the PSB for approval before travellers are allowed to leave Lhasa. Usually the PSB will approve any route along established tourist sites. However, once the route is fixed and stamped, there is to be no deviating from it. If in doubt whether to include something in your tour, include it. The agony of leaving Tibet, and feeling that one did not see or do enough is far worse than the subsequent hole in one's pocket.

Getting around the city:
The best way to travel from one place of interest to another is by minibus (fare: RMB2). Taxis in Lhasa are not equipped with a meter, and tourists are generally charged RMB10 when they want to go within the city. For a destination out of the city, they should first negotiate with the driver. Pedicabs can serve two travelers at a time for between RMB4 to RMB7. Most hotels also rent bikes to travelers (RMB2 per hour or RMB20 per day for ordinary bikes and RMB3 per hour, RMB30 per day per day for mountain bikes.)

Timetable of Flights In/Out Lhasa

Out of the Airport:

Flight No. Aircraft Type Day of the Week From Departure Time Arrival Time To CA425 319 1...... Lhasa 1010 1150 Chengdu CA4402 A343 1234567 Lhasa 1030 1210 Chengdu CA4404 757 1234567 Lhasa 1040 1220 Chengdu CA4406 319 1...... Lhasa 1140 1320 Chengdu CA408 319 .2.4.6. Lhasa 1445 1625 Chengdu CA4111 A343 1234567 Lhasa 1540 1720 Chengdu CA4448 757 1234567 Lhasa 1620 1750 Chengdu CA4424 319 ..3...7 Lhasa 1650 1830 Chengdu CA4418 319 .2.4.6. Lhasa 1700 1840 Chengdu CA4422 319 1.3.5.7 Lhasa 1720 1900 Chengdu CA4111 A343 1234567 Lhasa 1540 2030 Beijing CA4419 319 1234567 Lhasa 1100 1310 Chongqing CA4213 319 1234567 Lhash 1010 1220 Xi'an HU7858 319 1234567 Lhasa 1210 1445 Xi'an CA4217 319 ..3...7 Lhasa 1020 1220 Xining CA4410 319 ....5.. Lhasa 1020 1120 Bomda CA407 319 .2.4.6. Lhasa 1020 0925 Kathmandu 3U8658 319 1234567 Lhasa 1035 1215 Chengdu 3U8696 319 1234567 Lhasa 1045 1230 Chengdu CZ3418 757 1...5.. Lhasa 1310 1810 Guangzhou MU5838 737 1234567 Lhasa 1120 1440 Kunming MU5838 737 1234567 Lhasa 1120 1300 Deqin CZ3418 757 1...5.. Lhasa 1310 1440 Deqin

Into the Airport:

Flight No. Aircraft Type Day of the Week From Departure Time Arrival Time To CA4473 319 1...... Chengdu 0730 0920 Lhasa CA4401 A343 1234567 Chengdu 0740 0930 Lhasa CA4403 757 1234567 Chengdu 0800 0950 Lhasa CA4405 319 ....5.. Chengdu 0730 0920 Lhasa CA407 319 .2.4.6. Chengdu 0730 0920 Lhasa CA4112 A343 1234567 Chengdu 1250 1440 Lhasa CA4447 757 1234567 Chengdu 1330 1520 Lhasa CA4423 319 ..3...7 Chengdu 0730 0920 Lhasa CA4417 319 .2.4.6. Chengdu 0720 0910 Lhasa CA4421 319 1.3.5.7 Chengdu 0820 1010 Lhasa CA4112 A343 1234567 Beijing 0930 1440 Lhasa CA4420 319 1234567 Chongqing 1410 1630 Lhasa CA4214 319 12.4567 Xi'an 1320 1600 Lhash HU7857 319 1234567 Xi'an 0830 1120 Lhasa CA4218 319 ..3...7 Xining 1320 1550 Lhasa CA4409 319 1...... Bomda 0945 1050 Lhasa CA408 319 .2.4.6. Kathmandu 1025 1345 Lhasa 3U8695 319 1234567 Chengdu 0810 1000 Lhasa 3U8657 319 1234567 Chengdu 0830 1025 Lhasa CZ3417 757 1....5.. Guangzhou 0710 1220 Lhasa MU5837 737 1234567 Kunming 0700 1035 Lhasa MU5837 737 1234567 Deqin 0855 1035 Lhasa CZ3417 757 1...5.. Deqin 1035 1220 Lhasa

Note:
Above Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. Please write us an email to double check.