Information on Flights to Tibet

Flying is one of the major ways to get to Tibet. Currently, there are five airports in Tibet that offer flights for tourists to enter and exit the region: Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (in Lhasa), Nyingchi Mainling Airport (near Bayi town in Nyingchi), Chamdo Bangda Airport (in Chamdo), Shigatse Peace Airport (in Shigatse), and Ngari Gunsa Airport (in Shiquanhe near Mount Kailash). There are daily flights to Lhasa from some of the major cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xining, Xi’an, and Guangzhou , while there are also flights available from Chengdu and Chongqing to Nyingchi and Chamdo. There are also international flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Currently, there are no direct international flights to Tibet from countries other than Nepal. Travelers from Europe or America need take connecting flights with layovers in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Kunming, Guangzhou, Xiamen, or even Kathmandu to reach Tibet.

Current Operating Airports in Tibet

In 1956, Damxung County, located about 166 km north of Lhasa, was selected as the site for the first airport in Tibet. However, due to increasing demand and the completion of Lhasa Gonggar International Airport in 1965, Damxung Airport was abandoned and eventually demolished. Subsequently, the four other main airports in Tibet were established: Chamdo Bamda Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport, Shigatse Peace Airport, and Ngari Gunsa Airpor.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Chinese Name: 拉萨贡嘎国际机场
IATA: LXA, ICAO: ZULS
Address: Gonggar County, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet, China. About 85KM away from the city center of Lhasa city.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, covering an area of 25,000 square meters at an elevation of 3,600 m (11,811 ft), is the largest and one of the highest airports in Tibet Autonomous Region. It also is the most important aviation hub with a total of 96 domestic and international flight routes connecting Lhasa with other 48 cities and an international city Kathmandu. Below is a list of route waypoint connecting with Lhasa until April 2019:

Domestic passenger destinations:

International and regional destinations:

Nyingchi Mainling Airport

Chinese Name: 林芝米林机场
IATA: LZY, ICAO: ZUNZ
Address: Yarlung Zangbo River Valley, Mainling County, Nyingchi, Tibet, China

Nyingchi Mainling (Milin) Airport, located in the winding Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, has an altitude of only 2,949 m (9,675 ft) and is considered to have one of the most challenging instrument approaches in the world. However, it offers easy access to popular attractions such as Lulang Forest, Giant Cypress Nature Reserve of Bajie, Midui Glacier, and Rawok Lake. If you plan to visit both Lhasa and Nyingchi, it's recommended to fly to Nyingchi first for sightseeing and then travel to Lhasa. This not only shortens the travel distance (Lhasa to Nyingchi takes about 6-8 hours by car), but also allows you to gradually adapt to the high altitude. As of December 2018, the airport operates 15 air routes connecting 12 cities/waypoints in mainland China.

Flights available to Nyingchi

Shigatse Peace Airport

Chinese Name: 日喀则和平机场
IATA: RKZ, ICAO: ZURK
Address: Jangdam Township, Samzhubzê District, Shigatse, Tibet, China, about 42KM to the urban area of Shigatse. 

Shigatse Peace Airport, situated at an elevation of 3,782m (12,408 ft), is the fifth civil airport in Tibet. The airport connects Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, with important cities such as Chengdu, Xi’an, and Chongqing. If you have limited time and wish to skip Lhasa while heading towards western Tibet, including Mt. Everest and Mount Kailash, you may consider flying to Shigatse to start your trip. As of June 2018, there were six air routes connecting five cities in mainland China. 

Domestic passenger destinations:

Ngari Gunsa Airport

Chinese Name: 阿里昆莎机场
IATA: NGQ | ICAO: ZUAL
Address: Gunsa Township, Gar County, Ngari, Tibet, China, about 44km from southwest Shiquanhe Town

Ngari Gunsa Airport, also known as Ali Airport, is located at an elevation of 4,274 m (14,022 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest airports in the world. It is capable of handling high-plateau-typed airplanes for takeoff and landing. Currently, tourists can access Ngari from Lhasa, Urumqi, and Kashgar by flight.

Domestic passenger destinations:

Chamdo Bamda Airport

Chinese Name: 昌都邦达机场
IATA: BPC | ICAO: ZUBD
Address: Bangda Prairie, Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet, China, about 126KM away from the downtown of Qamdo.
Chamdo Bangda Airport is the world's highest civilian airport with an elevation of 4,334m (14,219 ft) above sea level. Located in Eastern Tibet, it is known for its remote location, harsh climate, and having one of the longest runways in the world, spanning 5,500 meters. Currently, it operates 7 air routes connecting six cities in mainland China.

Domestic passenger destinations:

Flight schedules to/from Lhasa (Updated in May 2023)

Most of people will choose to fly to Lhasa to start their Tibet tour as Lhasa Gonggar International Airport has the most air routes connecting to many cities in mainland of China. Additionally, Lhasa's altitude is relatively lower than other areas of Tibet, allowing travelers to spend 2-3 days acclimatizing to the high altitude before exploring further.

Below are flight schedules between major cities in China and Lhasa for reference. The flight ticket prices listed are the full fares. The flight schedules and ticket prices may vary depending on the season and demand.
 

Direct Flights to Lhasa from Major Cities in Mainland China

Chengdu is a popular gateway city to Tibet with over 20 flights per day connecting Chengdu to Lhasa and other major cities in Tibet such as Shigatse, Nyingchi, and Chamdo.

Direct Flights from Lhasa to Major Cities in Mainland China

There are also flights operated from Lhasa to some secondary cities in Sichuan such as Mianyang, Nanchong, Hongyuan ect.

International flights to Tibet (Lhasa Gonggar airport)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa have been temporarily suspended. It is advised to stay updated by checking with the airlines or travel agencies for the latest information on the resumption of flights.

The schedule below is just for reference:
Flight schedule for International flights from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Lhasa

Flight schedule for International flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu (Nepal)

Other Travel Tips for Flying to Tibet

1. Tibet Flight Tickets Cost:
Regarding flight ticket costs to Tibet, typically, there is a 20-50% discount on tickets for flights from Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi'an to Lhasa during shoulder months such as April, May, June, September, and October. During the winter months, there are even larger discounts of 50-70%. However, discounts are not common during the peak months of July and August. It is possible to get 10-20% off if tickets are booked well in advance. For other flights, such as those from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, there may be fewer discounts available as there are fewer flights. 

2. Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Visa
In order to catch the flight to Tibet, overseas travelers need have your Tibet travel permit handy along with valid passports and Chinese Visa. Normally the travel agency you book the tour with will help you assist the Tibet travel permit application and you need original Tibet permit to board the flight. 

3. Be prepared for the altitude:

Tibet has an average altitude of 4,500 meters (14,760 ft) above sea level, with Lhasa situated at 3,650 meters (11,975 ft) above sea level. Due to the high elevations, it's common for travelers to experience moderate symptoms of altitude sickness during their first few days in Tibet, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping.

If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, it's important to take necessary precautions to alleviate them. Resting, staying well-hydrated, consuming healthy foods and carbohydrates, avoiding rushing or engaging in strenuous activities, and remaining calm are all essential. Typically, symptoms subside within two or three days as the body acclimates to the high altitude.

Honestly speaking, for those travelers with sufficient time, we would recommend taking a train via Qinghai-Tibet Railway to enter Lhasa instead of flying. Flying to Lhasa doesn't allow your body enough time to gradually acclimate to the high altitude, which increases the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness. Xining, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai are popular starting points for the Tibet train journey to Lhasa. After completing your trip in Tibet, flying out of Tibet would be a good option.

Please kindly note that overseas travelers need not only a Tibet Travel Permit but also a pre-organized tour including a licensed guide and a vehicle with a driver through a local travel agency. As a local travel agency with over 18 years of experience, WindhorseTour can help you with every aspect of your Tibet tour arrangements, including booking flights or train tickets, Tibet Travel Permit application, and other tour arrangements for guides, hotels, and transportation in Tibet. Please feel free to contact WindhorseTour (info@windhorsetour.com) to book air/train tickets to Tibet and customize your Tibet tour.