Lhasa Airport

Lhasa Airport refers to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (IATA Code: LXA | ICAO Code: ZULS), which is the largest and busiest airport in Tibet Autonomous Region. It is the major arrival and departure hub for international as well as domestic travelers in Tibet. The Lhasa Airport offers the most efficient connecting and direct flights to Lhasa from the major airports of China like Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Xian, and Guangzhou as well as international flights from Kathmandu, Nepal. It's one of the highest airports in the world, being the 13th highest airport with an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,713 feet) above sea level.

Location:

The Lhasa Airport is strategically located in the Gyazuling Town, Gonggar County of the Shannon Region of Tibet. It is around 62 kilometers south of Lhasa City and is situated along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River’s south bank.

Terminal Facilities

The area of the Lhasa Airport is around 25,000 square meters or 6.2 acres. The airport also features a 4,000-meter-long runway that is 45-meter wide likewise. It is well equipped with all the latest technologies and it features a ticketing office, baggage collection beltways, departure lounge, passenger seeing-off hall, restaurants, and even shopping malls.

Flights at Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Every week, there are more than 40 flights that move in and out of Lhasa Airport. These flights are either coming from or going to the different domestic cities of China and Kathmandu.

Domestic Flights

The Gonggar Airport connects Lhasa to major domestic cities in China. More than two direct flights from the domestic cities of Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, and Xian arrive daily at Lhasa and vice versa. There are also direct or connecting flights from the cities of Xining, Shangri-La, Likuang, Urumqi, Kangding, Mianyang, Guangzhou, and Xiahe to Lhasa.

Flights from Chengdu to Lhasa

Chengdu is a major stopover hub for flights coming from other domestic cities in China. It operates daily a greater number of flights to Lhasa City than any other domestic city in China. Around 12 to 17 flights daily move in and out of Lhasa during the season from April to October and the plane tickets usually cost around 305 USD. This means that you will have flexible flight choices if you choose Chengdu Shuangliu Airport as your point of departure to Lhasa. Moreover, Chengdu flight fares are cheaper. Additionally, many international airlines operate direct flights to Chengdu.

>>See Last Updated Chengdu to Lhasa flights

Flights from Xian to Lhasa

Another great route to Lhasa is the Xian to Lhasa Route. Xian, of course, is a good point of departure to Lhasa because it operates several flights to Lhasa with five nonstop flights and two direct flights. Xian is also a tourist hub, being the capital of Shaanxi Province and the ancient capital of 13 dynasties. The air route covers around 1,980 kilometers. It takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes on average and the plane tickets usually cost around 319 USD. Airlines that operate flights between these two cities include Sichuan Airlines, Tibet Airlines, and Eastern Airlines.

>>See Last Updated Xian to Lhasa Flights

Flights from Beijing to Lhasa

Many tourists who want to travel to Tibet use Beijing as their gateway city. Being the capital of China, Beijing offers many domestic and international flights to tourists. Furthermore, it is a tourist destination on its own. Tourists can take a direct flight from their countries to Beijing and from Beijing, they could board a flight to Lhasa.

At present, two direct flights service the Beijing-Lhasa Route. Another indirect flight makes a stopover at Chengdu. The direct flights from Beijing to Lhasa take around four hours and 30 minutes and the plane tickets usually cost around 516 USD.

The flights from Beijing to Lhasa are usually affected by seasonal changes and abrupt weather changes. Thus, the abovementioned schedules are just for your reference. You can readily contact us for more detailed schedules and airfares.

>>See Last Updated Beijing to Lhasa Flights

Flights from Shanghai to Lhasa

Another great gateway to Tibet is Shanghai. It is a highly developed city that operates flights to Lhasa, Tibet. The flights usually take 8 hours with a one-hour stopover in Xian and the plane tickets usually cost around 480 USD. Other connecting flights make a stopover at Chongqing, Chengdu, and Kunming.

>>See Last Updated Shanghai to Lhasa Flights

International Flights

There are no direct international flights to Lhasa, Tibet, except for those flights coming from Kathmandu, Nepal. Tibet and Nepal are two geographically adjacent countries and flights from Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport cover a distance of 603.5 kilometers. These flights generally take around 1.5 hours to complete and the plane tickets usually cost around 460 USD.

The Kathmandu-Lhasa flight route is one of the most spectacular routes in the world, given the fact that you will get to fly over the majestic Himalayas if you take this flight. If you are fortunate, you will get a birds-eye-view of the summit of Mount Everest—the highest mountain in the world. Himalayan Airlines operates three flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa on Mon/Wed/Fri each week.

>>See Last Updated Kathmandu to Lhasa Flights

Airlines Operate Flights to Lhasa Airport

Several Chinese airlines mainly service the Lhasa Airport and these airlines include Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines(MU),  Sichuan Airlines (3U), Tibet Airlines (TV), China Southern Airlines (CZ), etc. Among them, Air China offers the most comprehensive network with frequent flights, making it ideal for connecting to international destinations.  China Eastern Airlines provides good value for money with competitive pricing and solid service. Tibet Airlines offers specialized services tailored to Tibet-bound travelers, with a more intimate and efficient experience.

Modes of Transportation to/from the Airport

As mentioned above, Lhasa Airport is around 60 kilometers from Lhasa, and it takes around 1.5 hours to reach downtown Lhasa from the airport. A well-built highway connects the airport and Lhasa City allowing for swift travel from the airport to the city. For international tourists, you can expect the transfer from your Tibet travel agency, or take an airport shuttle bus/taxi with the company of your tour guide from the airport.

By Tibet Travel Agency Service

If you avail of the service of a Tibet travel agency like us, you are assured that a car and a driver will pick you up at the Lhasa airport and drive you to your designated hotel in Lhasa. This is a more convenient option, providing you with a smooth trip from the airport to your hotel. As a local travel agency in Tibet, we provide airport pick-up services for our guests. Upon your arrival, our Tibetan tour guide will present you with a white khata as a sign of respect and goodwill. Please book your trip to Tibet in advance, and you also need to ask a Tibet travel agency to help you apply for a Tibet entry permit before boarding the plane.

By Bus

Regular buses plying the route between the airport and Lhasa City usually leave every 30 minutes from the airport based on flight time. The ticket price for a one-way ride is usually around 30 RMB. These shuttle buses are available from 6:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening.

By Taxi

If you choose to hail a taxi from the airport, you would usually pay around 150 RMB to 200 RMB. It will also take an hour from the airport to reach downtown Lhasa. Right outside the Lhasa airport, you will immediately find available taxis that are more willing to give you a ride to downtown Lhasa. For international tourists, you are required to be picked up by a tour guide so you can only take a taxi with

Frequently Asked Questions About Lhasa Airport

Is there a taxi service call center system in Lhasa?

There is no taxi service call center system in Lhasa. Thus, it is better to avail of a pre-booking service with a travel agency so that you will have a smooth journey from the airport to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

When was the Lhasa Airport Built?

The airport became operational in the year 1965 with flights from Lhasa to Chengdu and Beijing. It was later expanded in the year 2004. It has a capacity of checking in around 1,300 passengers every hour during peak hours.

What airlines operate flights to/from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport?

There are several airlines that service flights to Lhasa Gonggar Airports. These airlines include Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan, Sichuan, Shenzhen, and Tibet Airlines. During peak season (April to October) there are around 40 domestic flights that operate to and from Gonggar Airport every week.

Conclusion

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) serves as a crucial gateway to Tibet, connecting the region to both major cities in China and international destinations, especially Kathmandu. Its strategic location and high-altitude operations make it a unique and vital hub for travelers seeking to explore Tibet's cultural and natural wonders.