Travel to Tibet from United States

Every year, more than 50,000 Americans travel to Tibet, drawn by its unique culture, dramatic landscapes, and spiritual heritage. For most visitors, the highlights include exploring the holy city of Lhasa and making the unforgettable journey to Everest Base Camp. In this guide, we explain how easy it is to travel to Tibet from the US and share the best ways to plan your trip.

How to Travel to Tibet from the US

When traveling from the United States, there are two ways to go to Tibet. One is to fly into China and take a flight or train to Lhasa; the other is to fly into Nepal and fly or go overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa, along the Friendship Highway. We usually recommend that US citizens fly to China first, then to Tibet.

Option I - Travel to Tibe from the US via China

When traveling from the US to mainland China, Americans can choose from multiple departure and destination cities in the two countries. Due to the large number of flights from the United States to China, many of which are direct to China without stopovers, tourists can visit Tibet relatively easily. You can fly to Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc. These cities are the gateway cities for trains or flights to Tibet. You can even fly directly to Hong Kong and transfer to Lhasa via Chengdu. The journey to China takes 12-18 hours, depending on the departure and arrival airports, and costs 350-1500 USD per person.

Fly from Mainland China to Tibet

If you plan to fly to Lhasa from mainland China, then you have many choices. There are regular direct flights to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) from Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Xining, Shangri-La and other places. Chengdu is the most popular departure city for Lhasa, with the largest number of flights to Lhasa every day. It takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs around 220 USD per person. Beijing is also a popular starting point for Lhasa, with regular direct flights to Lhasa. It takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes and costs 500 USD per person. The flight is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Tibet.

Take a Train from Mainland China to Tibet

There are seven gateway cities that provide trains from mainland China to Tibet, including Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. You can also choose to take the train from Xi’an, but this can only be done in the off-season because the trains in Xi’an actually originate from Guangzhou and Shanghai. The fastest option is to depart from Xining, and it is usually the best choice for peak months because there are more trains from Xining to Tibet than from any other city, with more seats and more berths. So your chances of buying tickets from Xining are greater than in any other city. Although taking a train is slower, it is much cheaper than taking a plane, not to mention the beautiful scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Although the flight is faster, it is more expensive than the train, and the average train fare is less than half of the average flight ticket fare from the same city, especially if you are flying from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. However, the train speed is very slow, and it takes 21 to 53 hours to reach Tibet.

Option II - Travel to Tibet from the US via Nepal

If you plan to visit Tibet from Nepal, you can take a flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Since there is no direct flight from the US to Kathmandu, you can choose the connecting flights, which take about 18 to 30 hours, including stopover time. This is still a viable option for passengers who wish to visit Tibet from Nepal.

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, there are 2 ways to go to Tibet. The first choice is by plane. Direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and you can land in Tibet after 1.5 hours. However, you may also choose to drive along the Friendship Highway, which connects Kathmandu with Lhasa, and you’ll have a view of the plateau landscape, such as Himalayan peaks, magnificent Buddhist monasteries, and sacred plateau lakes.

Compared with flying, land travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa is more popular among American travelers. Due to the altitude increase, you will stay overnight at Gyirong/Zhangmu Town to acclimatize to the altitude, then gradually go east to visit Tingri, Everest Base Camp, and Shigatse, and finally, arrive in Lhasa.

√ 8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour

Required Documents for Americans Visiting Tibet

Like other international visitors, a Tibet travel permit is also a mandatory document to enter Tibet. Besides, US citizens are required to obtain a China Visa or a China Group Visa according to your entry to Tibet.

Visiting Tibet from Mainland China

Firstly, you should apply for your China Visa through the nearest Chinese Embassy in the USA after signing up with a Tibet Travel Agency. Your travel agency should be able to provide you with supporting documents for your China visa without mentioning Tibet. With your China visa copy and passport, your Tibet travel agency will handle your Tibet visa through the Tibet Tourism Bureau. If you choose Great Tibet Tour, we can guarantee your Tibet travel permit.

Visiting Tibet from Nepal

Another choice to visit Tibet is from Nepal. If you choose this way to start your journey, you should go apply for a China Group Visa instead of a China Visa after you get to Kathmandu. The Group Visa is issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, and one group visa per 4 participants. If there are fewer than 4 people from you, the group visa cannot be issued. And you need to get an invitation letter from the Tibet Tourism Bureau prior. As a professional Tibet travel agency, we will help you get your invitation letter.

Conclusion

For Americans planning a journey to Tibet, two main routes offer access: from mainland China or Nepal. Regardless of the chosen route, Americans have to obtain a China Visa or a China Group Visa, along with a Tibet Travel Permit, which can be acquired through a Tibet travel agency, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable exploration of this captivating region.