How to Travel to Tibet? In this post, we will share in detail gateways and your actual route to Tibet.
Nows a day, all international travellers can easily and conveniently travel to Tibet. You can have a comprehensive range of travel option to choose from to get you to Lhasa.
Gateway to Tibet
There are two gateways to travel to Tibet. You can either choose to travel to Tibet Via other cities in China or Travel via Nepal.
Here we will discuss the permit, Visa and other essential information on both travel route to Tibet.
Travelling to Tibet from Other Parts of China.
One of the primary gateway to travel to Tibet is via the other cities in China. This travel route has more transportation mode to choose from, and the frequency of flight and train is higher.
We will discuss the different aspect of travelling through this route.
Visa
For all those travelling to Tibet on this route, you can enter China with any regular Visa. Yet, on your visa application, do not write Tibet as your travel destinations in China.
You might need to submit your flight and hotel booking details along with the Visa application, which could be tricky. We can help if you book your tour with us.
If you already have a Valid Visa on your passport, you can visit Tibet on those.
Tibet Travel Permit
We will need your passport and Visa copy to apply for it in Lhasa. It will take 25 days max to 15 days minimum to get your Tibet travel permit.
For all the flight journey to Lhasa, you need the original permit in hand while boarding the flight. We will send your permit hotel in China or Deliver it to you at Chengdu airport during your transit to Lhasa flight.
The original permit is required only on Chongqing to Lhasa train journey. We will send the permit to Hotel in Chongqin. You will need a printed copy of it from your email for the rest of Lhasa’s train journey.
Travel Mode from China to Tibet
Thought this gateway, you can choose to fly, train and overland journey on the road.
There are regular train and flight from all the major cities in China. All the trains are designed specifically for the high elevation journey.
But you need to have the Tibet travel permit in hand before boarding all the flights to Lhasa and train from Chongqing city to Lhasa. For other train routes, you will only need a printed copy of the permit.
For those planning to come to Tibet overland journey, we will have to send the tour guide and the car at least at the Tibet Autonomous Region’s border.
Travelling to Tibet from Nepal.
Nepal is the only international destination from where you can fly or travel directly to Tibet. Though it is a popular travel route yet, there are fewer travel modes, and the Visa situation is a little complex.
Chinese Group Visa
It is mandatory for all Traveller visiting Tibet from Nepal to get the Chinese Group Visa from Kathmandu’s Chinese Embassy.
We will send the Visa invitation to the Visa Agent of your choosing or our agent in Kathmandu. The Chinese Embassy will not entertain an individual applicant.
It takes three business day to get the Visa.
Travel Permit
We only passport copy to apply for a Tibet travel permit for all those coming to Tibet from Nepal. Your tour guide will bring the permit either at the land border or the Lhasa airport’s custom check-in.
Travel Mode from Nepal to Tibet
Here you can either choose to travel overland or fly to Lhasa.
There is a regular daily flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. In the monsoon season, from July to September, flights often get redirect to Chengdu. In such a case, you will be able to reach Lhasa the next day.
Overland journey is also not a good option on this route. In the monsoon season, the road often gets wash away.
Best Time to visit
If you are coming to Tibet in monsoon time. It is a better option to travel to Tibet from other cities in China. Travelling from Nepal to Tibet in the monsoon is often risky.
The occurance of road wash away and redirection of flight to Chengdu is very often during the season. Travelling from another part of the country to Tibet is often safer and more reliable.
Another reason to avoid monsoon season is the blockage of the landscape by the monsoon cloud.
Booking flight and train tickets to Tibet
It is highly recommended to book the flights and train ticket well in advance. Try to avoid Chinese National holidays and the beginning and end of school holidays in China.
In many online booking, platforms will ask to submit a Tibet travel permit upon booking the flight and train ticket. The permit will be available only a few days before your arrival in Tibet. It is best to book the ticket with your local travel agency in Tibet in such a case.
Conclusion of How to Travel to Tibet
I hope this post gives you comprehensive information about how to travel to Lhasa and its different travel route, permit situation associated with it. Please also go through our Tibet Travel Guide Page for more information.
You can find more information on Tibet tourism on our sister website; itibettravel.com, nomadictibet.com, tibetuniversaltravel.com, and tibettrail.com
