Traveling by train and flight is the two main ways to get to Tibet. Each offers a unique travel experience and fits the specific needs of different travelers. For example, flying into Tibet is more time-efficient, while riding the world’s highest railway to Lhasa promises a journey of a lifetime. And in some cases, you may even combine the two.

So, if you are torn between taking a train and fight to Tibet, no worries! In this travel guide, we walk you through which option suits you best, along with insider tips to make your journey to Tibet smoother and more enjoyable.

If You're on a Tight Schedule: Choose Flights to Tibet

Although Tibet is well-connected by both trains and flights from various gateway cities in China, if you are short on time and want to make the most of your Tibetan journey, flying into Tibet is the best way to save time and explore more on the Tibetan Plateau.

For example, you can take a non-stop flight from Beijing to Lhasa in just 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the Roof of the World, whereas the Beijing to Lhasa train (Z21) takes about 3 days (or 40h20m) to travel 3,757km across 8 provinces to arrive in Lhasa.

Besides, even if you take the Xining to Lhasa train, the shortest Tibet train route, it still takes about 21h30m. That’s nearly one full day spent on the road. But if you take a flight from most major cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, or Xi’an, you can reach Lhasa in just 2 to 3 hours. The saved time can be used to have extra rest to adapt to the high altitude in Lhasa, which is especially helpful after flying in or exploring more sights in Tibet.

Flights from different gateway cities to Tibet in China and Nepal.

Fly to Lhasa and enjoy the classic 8-day Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp tour to admire imposing Mt. Everest and other Himalayan peaks.

Prefer a Relaxing Landscape Experience? Choose the Train to Tibet

If you're not in a rush, riding the world’s highest railway to Tibet is your go-to choice, especially for rail fans.

The Tibet train journey gives you time to slow down and enjoy the ever-changing scenery from your window. You can sit beside the train window, gazing at vibrant cityscapes, Gobi deserts, alpine lakes, boundless grasslands dotted with Tibetan yaks, majestic snow-capped peaks, and more. It brings back the bygone feeling of ‘travel on the road’, as the scenic Tibet train slowly inches through the rugged Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa with amazing Tibetan landscapes unfolding before your eyes along the way.

In addition, on average, most trains to Lhasa take around three days, depending on where you depart. For a comfortable travel experience, the soft sleeper is your best choice, offering a quieter, more private space. While there are no showering facilities onboard, clean public sinks, water dispensers, Western-style, and squat toilets are available.

You’ll also find a dining car serving simple Chinese meals and drinks throughout the journey. From Xining to Lhasa, oxygen is supplied to help you acclimate, and the Tibet train is extremely safe, thanks to regular security patrols, friendly staff, and lovely cabin mates. You will love your Tibet train travel experience.

For our guests, you can enjoy our non-stop service to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit and secure Tibet train tickets, and enjoy railway pick-up and drop-off service, local transfer, and more for an immersive and worry-free Tibet train tour.

The mind-blowing view of the Tibetan Plateau during the Tibet train journey.

Visit Beijing and Xi'an before enjoying the scenic Tibet train to Lhasa and travel overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

For Ticket Price: Train to Tibet in Peak Season, Flights in Off Season

If you're traveling on a budget, especially during Tibet’s peak travel seasons (July to August or on major national holidays), taking a train to Tibet offers you a more affordable way to reach Lhasa than flying.

This is mainly because Tibet train ticket prices are fixed year-round and not affected by seasonal changes, though they’re often in short supply due to high demand. In contrast, flight ticket prices fluctuate frequently. While weekday flights may be cheaper, prices can rise on weekends and even skyrocket during holiday seasons, sometimes costing several times more. Learn more about the Tibet tour cost in different travel seasons.

So, we recommend booking your Tibet train tickets with us well in advance, especially during the peak travel season, to secure your seats and preferred ticket class (soft sleeper or hard sleeper).

On the other hand, during the off-season of the Tibet winter tour (November to March), major airlines often offer hefty discounts and promotional fares to attract travelers. This means you can enjoy cheaper flights to Tibet, along with off-season deals like discounted 5-star hotels, even free entrance fees, and more.

Fly to Beijing and ride the scenic Tibet train to Lhasa and enjoy the epic overland adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

For Reliable Travel: Choose the Train to Tibet - Always On Time

As an engineering marvel running across the rugged Tibetan Plateau, the Tibet train is generally more punctual than flights to Tibet.

Unlike flights, which can be delayed or canceled due to extreme weather like heavy snow, strong winds, or thunderstorms, Tibet trains run steadily on schedule year-round. This is because Chinese engineers creatively built the tracks across permafrost zones, along with the dedicated efforts of railway staff who maintain the line constantly.

As you enjoy the view from your train window, you may spot long metal rods sticking out of the ground along sections of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. These are specially designed to protect the railway tracks from shifting or sinking on the permafrost due to temperature change.

Besides, maintenance teams are stationed year-round along the key areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and will work promptly to clear snow off the track even when heavy snow hits. They also communicate in real-time with train conductors to ensure the Tibet train runs safely and smoothly across the Tibetan Plateau.

So, even if you’re traveling in winter or during monsoon season (July–August), the Tibet train is a more dependable option for getting to Tibet without unexpected delays.

The Tibet train running on the Tibetan Plateau, with metal rods on both sides of the railway tracks.

Start your Tibet adventure from Chengdu and enjoy the scenic Tibet train from Chengdu to Lhasa and Tibet Everest Base Camp.

Does the Train to Tibet Help Reduce High Altitude Sickness?

The answer is yes, but it only helps a little. It’s a common misconception that taking the Tibet train, with its slower speed and a relatively gradual ascent than flights, can certainly prevent altitude sickness for visiting Tibet.

Yet, in reality, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, especially from Xining to Lhasa, is fully air-sealed with oxygen pumped in, similar to an airplane cabin. This special design helps reduce the risk of acute altitude sickness for passengers as the train crosses high mountain passes on the vast Tibetan Plateau. However, it is not a cure-all, and some travelers, regardless of their fitness level, may feel mild altitude sickness on the journey. Learn more about the oxygen supply on the Tibet train.

Nevertheless, no worries! Onboard, each seat and sleeper berth is equipped with an oxygen outlet, and you can easily plug in a tube (provided by staff) if you’re feeling unwell. You may also consider preparing altitude sickness medication in advance after consulting with your healthcare doctor. Drinking more water than usual and avoiding alcohol can also help.

If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just let the friendly and well-trained train staff know. They’re experienced in helping travelers and will offer prompt and caring support along the way. No troubles at all!

Our guests are using oxygen supplies on the Tibet Train.

For the Ultimate Tibet Experience: Fly Into Tibet, Take the Train Out (or Vice Versa)

If you want to enjoy the efficiency of flying into Tibet while not missing out on the scenic landscape of the Tibetan Plateau on the world’s highest railway, a perfect win-win solution is to fly into Tibet and take the train out after you complete the Tibet tour.

By doing so, you can easily take non-stop flights from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, Chongqing, or Kunming to Lhasa in just a few hours. Once in Lhasa, you can take it easy for the first couple of days and let your body adjust to the altitude while covering Tibet’s most landmark attractions in Lhasa and gradually travel to Tibet Everest Base Camp or further journey to holy Mt. Kailash for pilgrimage in mystical western Tibet.

Travel from Lhasa to mystical western Tibet to experience holy Mt. Kailash pilgrimage with local Tibetans.

After your Tibet tour ends in Lhasa, it’s usually much easier to buy train tickets from Lhasa to inland Chinese cities than tickets for entering Tibet by train. Then, you can hop on the Tibet train and enjoy the stunning landscapes one last time as you travel back to cities like Xining, Xi’an, or Chengdu, either for further exploration or to catch your flight home.

Alternatively, you can take a train into Tibet and fly out. The scenic train ride serves as the perfect appetizer for your Tibet adventure, while flying out saves time and energy, which is especially helpful if you're catching a long-haul international flight home.

No matter which way you choose, we will offer one-stop service to make your journey smooth and worry-free, from helping you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit, securing train or flight tickets, and recommending a wide range of quality local hotels, to providing local experts, airport/train station pickup, and transfer services and beyond.

Enjoy the epic overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu across the mighty Himalayas.

More Insider Tips for Taking the Train or Flight to Tibet

Whether you travel by train or flight to Tibet, foreign nationals can only visit Tibet via a guided Tibet tour with a local Tibet travel agency like us. We will help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit for free, which is a crucial travel document for you to go through the security check at the airport and railway station to board the flight or train to Lhasa.

To book the Tibet train ticket, you can visit 12306.cn, the official website of China Railway, which now has an English version. Normally, Tibet train tickets become available for booking two weeks before your departure date. If you don’t have a Chinese bank account for payment, Trip.com is a great alternative that supports international payments.

To avoid unwanted hassles and save your precious time, we suggest that you directly book train tickets through us, together with your Tibet tours, as we partner with China Railway and are more reliable. Besides, since the Tibet train tickets are often in high demand, we recommend confirming your booking request with us as early as possible.

To book the flights to Lhasa, you can directly visit your preferred airline’s official website and download their official mobile apps on your smartphone for booking. Again, you can rely on us to book flight tickets with ease for your Tibet tour.

Besides, if you're concerned about altitude sickness when flying directly into Lhasa (3,650m), a great alternative is to first fly to Nyingchi, located about a 4-hour drive east of Lhasa. With an average altitude of around 3,000m, Nyingchi is known for its lush forests, higher oxygen levels, photogenic “Swiss-style” landscapes, and its famous peach blossom festival in early spring. It is an ideal low-altitude entry point to help you acclimatize before heading to Lhasa and beyond. Highly recommended! Alternatively, you can also book hotels in Lhasa that offer oxygen supplies for a smoother acclimatization during the first couple of days.

Fly to Nyingchi for a smoother acclimatization and further travel from Nyingchi to Lhasa and Tibet Everest Base Camp.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, whether you take a train or a flight to Tibet, each option offers a unique travel experience tailored to different types of travelers. Flying to Tibet is ideal for those with limited time, while the train journey suits travelers with a more flexible schedule or a love for scenic rail adventures. Or, you can even combine the two for a maximized Tibet travel experience.

Anyway, different strokes for different folks. No matter how you choose to get to Tibet, we’re here to provide one-stop service for a seamless and worry-free Tibet travel experience. If you have any questions about Tibet tours, feel free to email us. We're happy to offer expert advice at no cost. We look forward to welcoming you to Tibet soon. Tashi Delek!