At an elevation of 3,600 meters above sea level, Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is one of the highest airports in the world. Since its building in 1965, it has increasingly developed into the major air hub to enter into and exit from Tibet, for tourists from both mainland China and overseas countries.

If this is your first time flying to Lhasa, it’s important to understand the transfer options between Lhasa Gonggar Airport and the downtown area before you fully take in the beauty of this holy city.

How far is Lhasa Airport from downtown?

Situated in the Gonggar County of Shannan, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is about 60 kilometers southwest of Lhasa City. Connected by the Lhasa Airport Expressway, the drive from Airport to Lhasa takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

The Lhasa Airport Expressway is the first expressway built in Tibet and is well-maintained, with two lanes in each direction. Driving along the road, you will appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River.

Seeing the Lhasa Airport Expressway from the flight to Tibet.

The Cheapest and Most Recommended Airport Transfer in Lhasa: Our Free Shuttle Service

As a pioneer of Tibet tourism for foreign travelers, we at Tibet Vista provide a free shuttle service between Lhasa Gonggar Airport and hotels for our clients who book Tibet tours with us. With pick-up and drop-off by our considerate guide, you can rest assured that your Tibet tour will be much smoother and more enjoyable.

Our local guide will pick you up at Lhasa Airport.

Our free Lhasa airport shuttles run according to our small group tour schedules. On the arrival day and the departure day of the trip, we provide several scheduled shuttles between Lhasa Gonggar Airport and downtown hotels.

Kindly Notice:
Please check the free airport pick-up/drop-off times with your travel consultant. To use our free service, it’s best to schedule your flight to Tibet to match our shuttle times. Otherwise, you may have to wait for others, which could delay your trip.

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The Most Expensive but Flexible Airport Transfer in Lhasa: Taxi or DiDi

The most flexible way to transfer from Lhasa Airport to downtown is to take a taxi or use a ridesharing service like Didi for a direct trip to your hotel. Normally, the journey from the airport to the city center, like the Potala Palace, costs about CNY 200 and takes around 1 hour. In peak season, such as the summer holiday or the National Holiday in the first week of October, the price may rise to CNY 250.

Taxis in Lhasa are white and blue.

Kindly Notice:
You can take a taxi from downtown Lhasa to the airport on your own after your trip. However, for your arrival, you need to be accompanied by your tour guide when taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

The Less Recommended Airport Transfer in Lhasa: Lhasa Airport Shuttle Buses

The Airport Shuttle Buses in Lhasa is the most economical option, with a ticket price is only CNY 30 per person. For the convenience of passengers, the Airport buses are waiting right at the exit of the airport, with a frequency of about 15 minutes per shift. It takes about 1 hour to travel from the airport to the Lhasa Civil Aviation Bureau at No. 1 Niangre Road in downtown Lhasa, which is just 1.1 kilometers east of the Potala Palace.

The shuttle bus from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa is arranged according to arrival flights’ schedules from 08:30. The last bus will align with the timing of the final arrival flight.

The shuttle bus from Lhasa City to the airport operates from 4:30 to 19:30, with departures every 15 minutes.

There is also one scheduled shuttle bus running between Lhasa Airport and Tsedang, Shannan. It takes around 1.5 hours and the ticket price is CNY 40 per person. It departs promptly at 11:30 AM. If the bus is full, it may depart earlier.

You can take the shuttle buses to the downtown Lhasa from the airport.

Since the shuttle bus has fixed stops, you may need to take a taxi to reach your hotel after arriving downtown. This option might not be ideal for first-time foreign tourists who are unfamiliar with the local language.

However, it is convenient to take the shuttle bus from downtown to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for your departure. It is easy to get to the Civil Aviation Bureau from your hotel as it is just located close to the Potala Palace in the city center. You can buy the ticket upon your arrival and take the shuttle bus by yourself.

It is recommended to take the shuttle bus 3 hours before the flight departure time. The bus will not stop on the way and will go directly to Terminal T3 of Lhasa Gonggar Airport.

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Conclusion

Even if it is your first time visiting Tibet, there is no need to bother too much about how to get to Lhasa city from the airport. There are several well-developed and simple ways to choose from, such as our free shuttle service, flexible taxis, or affordable shuttle buses.

No matter which way you choose to transfer, the well-maintained Lhasa Airport Expressway provides a scenic and smooth drive to the city, taking about 1 to 1.5 hours. When you are planning your tour to Tibet, just ensure to set aside enough time for the transfer between the airport and the city.