Air
Visitors can fly directly to Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, Xinjiang, Kunming, Chongqing and Kathmandu. The international airport in Lhasa, Gonggar Airport (LXA) is about 100 km (62.1 miles) south of Lhasa City. Gonggar Airport was originally built in 1966, and was extended in 2000. Now this modern airport welcomes millions of visitors every year. The number for the Airport Service line is 86-891-6833446. You can also find details of flight schedules for reference.
The Airport Bus costs CNY 30 per person and the journey to the Passenger Centre near the Potala Palace takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Taxis are more flexible and are quicker than the bus. You can negotiate the fare with the taxi driver and share the fare with others. Generally, it costs about CNY 150 to 250 to Lhasa City.
Coach and Train
You can travel to Lhasa by coach as many highways have been extended to Lhasa. The major highways from inland China to Tibet are: Qingzang Highway (from Xining of Qinghai Province to Lhasa), Chuanzang Highway (from Chengdu of Sichuan Province to Lhasa), Xinzang (from Kargilik of Xinjiang to Ngari) and Dianzang Highway (from Xiaguan of Yunnan Province to Markam). There is also a highway between Nepal and Tibet from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Zhangmu County.
The Coach Terminal is located at the junction of Minzu Lu and Chingdol Zhong Lu. From here you can take a coach to Bayi, Chamdo, Shigatse, Gyangtse, Zhangmu and also Xining, Chengdu, Lanzhou and elsewhere.
|
Routes |
Standards of Buses |
Prices (CNY) |
Departure Times | |
|
Outside
Tibet |
Nanchong |
Sleeper |
550 |
17:30 |
|
Chongqing |
Sleeper |
560 |
14:30 | |
|
Chengdu |
Sleeper |
500 |
16:30 | |
|
Xian |
Sleeper |
480 |
18:30 | |
|
Lanzhou |
Sleeper |
380 |
13:00 | |
|
Xining |
Sleeper |
340 |
11:30 | |
|
Dunhuang |
Sleeper |
300 |
15:30 | |
|
Bigbus |
260 |
15:30 | ||
|
Golmud |
Sleeper |
210 |
8:30/10:30 | |
|
luxury Bus |
210 |
10:35 | ||
|
Luxury Bigbus |
200 |
10:32 | ||
|
Katmandu
|
Luxury Bigbus |
580 |
9:00
(Tuesday and Friday) | |
|
Inside Tibet |
Nakchu |
Standard Bigbus |
53 |
8:30/9:30/10:30/11:30 |
|
Medium Bus |
80 |
On Roll Schedule | ||
|
Luxury Bus |
100 | |||
|
Shigatse |
Standard Bigbus |
50 |
8:30 / 9:30-13:30 (half an hour a shift) | |
|
Medium Bigbus |
65 |
On Roll Schedule | ||
|
Medium Bus |
80 | |||
|
Luxury Bus |
100 | |||
|
Shannan |
Standard Bigbus |
27 |
9:00/9:30/10:00/10:30/11:00/
12:00/12:30/13:30/14:00/
14:30/15:00/16:00/16:30/
17:00/17:30/18:30 | |
|
Standard Bus |
30 | |||
|
Medium Bus |
40 |
On Roll Schedule | ||
|
Luxury Bus |
50 | |||
|
Chamdo |
Luxury Bigbus |
280 |
10:30 every day | |
If you want to take a coach, you should call the Terminal to check departure times well in advance. Besides, you can take the newly opened Tibet Railway, which can surely provide you more comfortable and enjoyable transportation.
You can rent a car, jeep or SUV to travel around Tibet. Negotiate hire charges beforehand with the car owner. We recommend that you have a contract with the owner.
While in Lhasa, taxis are abundant and generally they cost CNY 10 in the city no matter where you go. If you want to go to the suburbs, you must bargain with the driver. You can also take a mini bus to travel in and around the city. Many routes begin from the Tibetan Traditional Hospital and cost CNY 2. Generally, most of the routes begin at 8 A.M. and end at 6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Pedicabs and bicycles are more interesting and alluring for many visitors. One pedicab can carry two persons and usually costs around CNY 5 per person. You should always negotiate the fare before you set out. Bicycles can be hired in most hostels. It generally cost CNY 2 or 3 per hour, and CNY 20 or 30 per day.
