Travel to Tibet from United Kingdom
For adventurous travelers in the United Kingdom, Tibet offers an unparalleled experience - a chance to explore “The Roof of the World,” where breathtaking landscapes meet ancient traditions and spirituality. Whether it’s the serene monasteries, the mysterious Tibetan culture, or the awe-inspiring Himalayas, Tibet promises an unforgettable journey that immerses you in a realm far from the everyday.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your journey from the UK to Tibet, including the best routes to take, essential travel tips, as well as visa and permit requirements, for a smooth and enriching experience.
How to Travel from the U.K. to Tibet?
In general, there are two options for Britons from London to Tibet, flying to Kathmandu(the capital city of Nepal) or mainland China first. Currently, the only international flights to Tibet are from Kathmandu. There are two points you may need to know beforehand, flying to Kathmandu and then to Lhasa(the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region) takes an extra 3 working days to apply for your China Group Visa and it requires 4 participants to get a group visa. So if you don't have any plans to stay in Nepal or if there are fewer than 4 people from you, you may consider flying to mainland China, then take domestic flights to Tibet.
Get to Tibet through China
Getting to Tibet through China by flight or by railway is a good option. Firstly, you can take a flight from London to the gateway cities of China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and so on. You could visit these cities for various attractions before you fly to Lhasa. It's a great way for Brits who desire to visit China and Tibet together. Or take a Tibet train journey. Whatever you plan to do, Great Tibet Tour can provide a one-stop service by arranging all your tours in China and Tibet.
From the U.K. to China by Flights
Some flights from London to Chinese gateway cities are listed below. Prices here are only for your reference and could vary a lot due to the different seasons and airlines you select.
| Flights | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| London to Beijing (LGW - PEK) | Around 10h | Around £1000 |
| London to Shanghai (LGW - PVG) | At least 11h 15m | Around £1220 |
| London to Guangzhou (LGW - CAN) | At least 11h 10m | Around £802 |
| London to HongKong (LGW - HKG) | At least 11h 35m | Around £700 |
| London to Chengdu (LGW - TFU) | At least 10h 40m | Around £560 |
From Chinese Cities to Tibet by Flights
There are some flights that start from Chinese major cities to Lhasa including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hongkong, and Chengdu. Please note that the duration and prices are listed here for your reference only.
| Flights | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing to Lhasa (PEK - LXA) | At least 4h 25m | Around £420 |
| Shanghai to Lhasa (PVG - LXA) | At least 7h | Around £500 |
| Guangzhou to Lhasa (CAN - LXA) | At least 6h | Around £400 |
| Hong Kong to Lhasa (HKG - LXA) | At least 7h 50m | Around £445 |
| Chengdu to Lhasa (TFU - LXA) | Around 2h 20m | Around £250 |
From Chinese Cities to Tibet by Trains
A Tibet railway trip is also an option for visitors, and actually, it could be more fun to take a train tour than to take flights. About your train Tour, there are three classes of tickets for your choice, namely, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. From the top to the end, the cost of train tickets decreases a lot. And, of course, the standard is quite different, you may check inside Tibet Train to know more details. However, if you purchase a soft-sleeper ticket, you could stay more comfortable in a cozy cabin instead of sitting in a hard-seat carriage with a bunch of passengers around you.
So if you are not on a tight budget, or you are taking the elderly or children with you, the soft-sleeper ticket is your first choice. Here is a chart for you containing the duration and approximate costs of the soft sleepers from some Chinese major cities to Lhasa. You can check it out and find one that fits your plan the most.
| Number of Trains | Trains | Duration | Costs(soft-sleeper ticket) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z21 | Beijing to Lhasa | Around 40h 40m | Around £153 |
| Z164 | Shanghai to Lhasa | Around 44h 30m | Around £166 |
| Z264 | Guangzhou to Lhasa | Around 53h 53m | Around £204 |
| Z322 | Chengdu to Lhasa | Around 34h 29m | Around £135 |
(*Please note that you also can take combination trains to Lhasa, not only the one listed in the chart.)
Get to Tibet through Nepal
For British tourists, it's also an option to get to Tibet from Nepal as there is a direct flight from London to Kathmandu via New Delhi. This route deserves your consideration because it is really fast and convenient, only taking around 12 hours to reach Kathmandu, which takes around £370. And then you could select 2 ways to arrive in Tibet, by flight or road.
Kathmandu to Lhasa by Flight
After you land in the first exotic area, a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is available for your choice, operated by Himalayan Airlines. Only 1 hour and 25 minutes are taken for this Kathmandu-Lhasa flight trip. Currently it only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Besides, the best part of it is, that you could take a look at the magnificent Mt. Everest, appreciating the charm of the world’s highest peak. However, the flight almost sells at the full price which is around £390. If you desire a fast arrival in Lhasa, it will be beneficial for you to take this flight. Moreover, please choose the left seats by the window, as you will view the magnificent Mt. Everest on the plane! >>See more about Kathmandu to Lhasa flight
Kathmandu to Lhasa by Land
Besides the flight trip, you could enjoy the epic overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa as well. This overland tour is highly recommended by tourists for a fascinating experience along the Friendship Highway, and viewing both sides of the Himalayas. On the Nepal side, you will feel the warm moist air as well as lush plants; while on the Tibet side, you will feel the opposite and view the landscape of the Himalayans, Karola Glacier, and Yamdrok Tso Lake, as well as Tibetan monasteries such as Sakya Monastery, Tashilumpo Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum, along the way.
Tibet Travel Permits Required for Britons
Tibet is an autonomous region with special regulations for tourists who intend to enter it. Here are some necessary documents you need to know beforehand.
Tibet Travel Permit
A Tibet Travel Permit is required for every foreign passport holder. Generally, this permit is applied by the local travel agencies in Tibet. As the top Tibet-based tour operator, Great Tibet Tour has arranged thousands of applications for this kind of permit. We are experienced and qualified enough to help you obtain it, as well as arrange a great trip. To apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, scans of your valid Chinese Visa page and passport page are needed. Please send us these documents at least 20 days in advance before you start your Tibet journey.
Group Tourist Visa
China Group Tourist Visa is required for tourists who have plans to enter Tibet from Nepal. In order to secure the group visa, you need a tourist invitation letter from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. And it's better to refer to your Tibet travel agency prior, and of course, your agency will also handle your Tibet permit. With the invitation letter, your passport and 2 photos(the same size as the photo in your passport but with a white background), you can apply it with another 3 participants, at the China Embassy in Kathmandu and obtain it in 3 working days.
Final Words
As above, we have introduced the specific flights and trains from Britain to China or Nepal, and some permits you require. Now it is your time to make a plan related to the itinerary, budget, and transportation. We sincerely look forward to your arrival and joining our great Tibet Tour!