With more than 30 airports in China and the Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal offering flights to and from Lhasa, there are many choices when it comes to flying to the Tibetan capital to tour the region.

What is the closest airport to Tibet? What is the shortest flight route to Lhasa? Here we list the six closest airports to Tibet in Nepal and the mainland of China.

Let’s see how to start your Tibet tour as quickly as possible with the shortest flight times.

Top 1: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport - The Closest and the Only International Airport to Tibet (Flight Duration: 1 hr 25min)

Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport is the only airport in the world with direct international flights to Lhasa. Located around six kilometers from the center of Kathmandu, the airport has just one single runway but still manages to cater to more than three million passengers passing through its gates each year.

Currently, Himalaya Airlines has the only nonstop flight to Lhasa. Tickets cost from $493. The 1 hour and 25 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is available once a week on Mondays. The flight path takes you directly over the summit of Mount Everest, giving you a beautiful aerial view of the mountain on clear days.

Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is the only airport offering international flights to Tibet.

In order to get the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you will need to have booked a Tibet tour with a registered Tibetan tour operator, such as our travel agency. You will also need to have your Group Tourist Visa and Tibet Travel Permit before being able to board the flight. These can be applied for by us on your behalf.

The Tibet Travel Permit can only be applied for on your behalf once you have booked your tour, and it requires at least 20 days to process the application. You need to arrive in Kathmandu at least 3 days in advance to process Group Tourist Visa. Our local representative will collect your passport from you and the completed application form, and make the application on your behalf.

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Top 2: Xining Caojiaobao International Airport - The Closest Domestic Airport to Tibet in North China (Flight Duration: 2 hr 15min)

Xining Caojiabao International Airport is the major airport in Qinghai Province that serves flights to Lhasa. Located in Huzhu County, around 30 kilometers east of Xining, the airport caters to around 5.5 million passengers annually.

There are currently two direct flights from Xining to Lhasa every day, run by Tibet Airlines. A one-way economy flight costs around US$181 per person. The flight covers the distance in around 2 hours 15 minutes, which is 20 hours less than by train.

One of the main benefits of traveling from Xining to Lhasa by flight is the altitude of Xining. At 2,275 meters above sea level, this intermediate elevation is ideal for acclimatizing to higher altitudes before traveling to Lhasa, which can help to reduce the risk of altitude sickness once you arrive in the Tibetan capital.

Xining Caojiabao International Airport

Top 3: Diqing Shangri-La Airport - The Closet Domestic Airport in South China (Flight Duration: 2hr 15min)

Serving the area around Shangri-La, Diqing Shangri-La Airport is the second closest airport to Lhasa. It lies just outside the city of Shangri-La in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Region of Yunnan Province. The airport has one runway, and planes have to turn around after landing to taxi to the terminal building, as there is only one taxiway. Located just 5.5 kilometers outside the city, the airport serves more than half a million passengers annually. With no shuttle buses to the airport, travelers will need to get a taxi from the city to the airport, which costs around 30 CNY.

Currently, China Eastern Airlines only operates one direct flight from Shangri-La to Lhasa per day. The flight takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach the Tibetan capital and costs around US$125 per person for a one-way economy flight.

Diqing Shangri-La Airport

Top 4: Chengdu Airports - The Most Popular and Gateway Airports Close to Tibet (Flight Duration: 2 hr 35min)

Chengdu is a central flight hub for southwest China and has two airports with flights to Lhasa. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is 16 kilometers southwest of the downtown. Further away, 50 kilometers to the southeast, is Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. Both airports are convenient to reach by subway or taxi.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Catering to over 46 million passengers a year, Chengdu is an important gateway to Lhasa for both flights and trains. International flights from Hong Kong, London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Moscow, Prague, and San Francisco, all land at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, making it an important gateway for tourists flying to Tibet through the mainland of China.

There are more than 20 daily direct flights from Chengdu to Lhasa, operated by Air China, Tibet Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and China Eastern. Most tickets cost between US$250 and 285 for a one-way economy flight. The flight takes around 2 hours 35 minutes.

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Top 5: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport - Major Hub in Western China to Tibet (Flight Duration: 2 hr 40min)

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is the main airport for Chongqing and is located in the Yubei District of the city, around 19 kilometers from the city center.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is an international airline hub for flights from Hong Kong, San Francisco, Helsinki, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Moscow, London, Melbourne, Irkutsk, and Singapore, making it one of the major airports in western China for international tourism. With eight direct flights from Chongqing to Lhasa per day, it is one of the best airports to fly to the Tibetan capital without needing to transfer within China.

Flights to Lhasa from Chongqing take 2 hours 40 minutes and cost around US$222 for a one-way economy ticket. You will need your Tibet Travel Permit before you can board the flight, which we will apply for on your behalf once you have booked your tour.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

Top 6: Kunming Changshui International Airport - Best for Getting to Tibet from Southwest China (Flight Duration: 2 hr 55min)

Kunming Changshui International Airport is the main airport serving Yunnan Province in Southwest China and is located 24 kilometers northeast of the city center. The airport is a minor hub for Sichuan Airlines and several other small airlines, and operates inbound international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Paris, and Vancouver. For a relatively small airport, this makes it a major center for tourists to southwest China and travelers to Tibet.

Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Tibet Airlines currently operate four daily direct flights from Kunming to Lhasa. Flights from Kunming to Lhasa take 2 hours 55 minutes and cost US$345 per person for a one-way economy ticket. Once you have booked your Tibet tour with us, we can provide your Tibet Travel Permit, which is required to board the flight.

Kunming Changshui International Airport

How to Choose the Best Airport for a Short Flight to Tibet?

Choosing the airport for a short flight to Tibet depends on where you are coming from and the travel experience you are looking for. Combining a trip to Tibet with a tour of Nepal is a fantastic way to experience the Himalayas and shared culture between the two regions. After a tour of Nepal, you can take the short flight to Lhasa and continue your journey there.

For many other travelers, the best airport will be the one with the best connection to their home city. Chengdu and Chongqing have the most international connections, making them easy to get to.

If you are planning to have a China Tibet tour, then all Chinese domestic airports are easy to get to. Xining’s elevation has the advantage of helping you acclimatize to higher altitude, and it is also worth considering for its local attractions like the beautiful Qinghai Lake.

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Conclusion

There are many choices for a short flight to Tibet. If you’re still not sure which to choose, contact us and tell us what you’re looking for. Our experienced travel consultants have helped thousands of people plan tours to Tibet. Contact us anytime to find out more.