Travel to Tibet from Portugal

In today's modern era of convenient transportation, despite the distance between Portugal and Tibet, Portuguese tourists are able to realize this dream trip through reasonable transportation arrangements. Whether you choose to fly, take a train along a picturesque route, or drive to explore the Himalayas, each mode of transportation will bring you different experiences and scenery. Next, let's explore the various transportation options from Portugal to Tibet.

Important Notice: Visitors from Portugal can enjoy a 30-day China visa-free policy till 31 December 2025.

Although there are no direct flights to Tibet from Portugal, you can fly to major cities in China and then transfer to Tibet by flight or by train. Alternatively, you can enter Tibet from Nepal, which is close to Tibet. You can choose to fly directly to Lhasa from Kathmandu or go overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Via Mainland China to Tibet

Portuguese can fly from Lisbon to major Chinese cities such as Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, which have daily flights to Lhasa, and you can choose a route that suits your itinerary.

Although flying is the fastest way, many tourists still prefer to take the train along the Qinghai-Tibet Rail Line to enjoy the scenery of the Tibetan plateau, which is also conducive to acclimatization to the high altitude.

Portugal-Hangzhou-Tibet (Recommended!)

Hangzhou is located on the southeast coast of China and is famous for its natural landscapes, such as the West Lake, and unique cultures, such as silk and tea culture. Hangzhou is currently the only Chinese city that has direct flights to Lisbon. Direct flights depart Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) every Saturday at 11:50 local time, with a flight time of 13 hours and 30 minutes, arriving at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) at 9:20 local time on Sunday. The air ticket cost is around € 485 - € 621.

If flying from Lisbon to Hangzhou for other dates, you can choose a connecting flight. There are also many connecting flights from Lisbon to Hangzhou and a connecting flight takes about 18 hours, usually with one layover in Madrid, Spain. The air ticket cost is around € 460 ~ € 702.

Upon arrival in Hangzhou, you can choose a direct flight to Tibet. There are 2-3 direct flights per day from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA), with a total flight time of about 6-7 hours, with a stopover in Yibin, Chongqing, or Luzhou. The air ticket cost is around € 138 - € 438.

Portugal-Beijing-Tibet

Beijing, the capital of China and home to famous attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, is rich in history and culture and a popular Chinese gateway city for Portuguese tourists. There are many connecting flights from Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), usually with one layover in London, which takes about 14-19 hours. The air ticket cost is around € 540 - € 720.

Upon arrival in Beijing, you can choose a direct flight or train to Tibet. There are 2 direct flights per day from Beijing Capital Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) and the flight time is about 4 hours. Please note that there are two airports in Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. Be sure to check which airport you are arriving at in Beijing and from which airport your flight to Tibet departs. Beijing Daxing International Airport is about 80km from Beijing Capital International Airport and takes 1.5 hours by car. The air ticket cost is around € 219 ~ € 426.

>> See more about Beijing to Lhasa flights

The direct train from Beijing to Lhasa, Z21, departs daily at 19:52 and arrives in Lhasa at 11:36 on the third day, covering a distance of 3,757km and taking approximately 40 hours. The hard sleeper ticket fee is about €100, and the soft sleeper train ticket fee is about €156.

Portugal-Shanghai-Tibet

Located on the east coast, Shanghai is the largest international economic center city in China, a city where history and modernity are intertwined, with famous attractions such as the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower. It is also a good choice to travel to Shanghai from Portugal. There are many connecting flights from Lisbon to Shanghai's Pudong Airport (PVG), and a connecting flight takes about 16 to 17 hours, usually with one layover in Istanbul and Dubai.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, you can take a flight or train to Tibet. There are 2 direct flights per day from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Lhasa with a stopover in Xi'an or Chengdu, totaling about 7-8 hours.

Please note that there are two airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Please be sure to double-check the airport from which you are arriving in Norway and the departure airport for your flight to Tibet. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is about 65km away from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, which takes about 1.5 hours by car.

>>See more about Shanghai to Lhasa flights

The direct train from Shanghai to Lhasa, Z164, departs daily at 18:33 and arrives in Lhasa at 15:05 on the third day, covering more than 4,300 kilometers and kilometers and taking approximately 45 hours. The hard sleeper ticket price is about €111, and the soft sleeper ticket fee is about €173.

Portugal-Chengdu-Tibet

Chengdu, the Land of Abundance, is a city with a unique cityscape, rich gastronomy and a casual attitude to life. There are many connecting flights from Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and it takes about 14 to 19 hours or one transfer. You can choose to have one layover in Hangzhou, London and Frankfurt. The air ticket cost is around € 379- € 891.

Once you arrive in Chengdu, you can take a flight or train to Tibet.

Chengdu offers the most frequent flights to Lhasa, with more than a dozen direct flights a day. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA).

>>See more about Chengdu to Lhasa flights

You can also choose to fly from Chengdu to Nyingchi, Tibet, which is at a lower altitude than Lhasa and is less prone to high-altitude sickness. There are direct flights from Chengdu Tianfu and Shuangliu airports to Linzhi Miling Airport, which takes about 2-3 hours.

>>See more about Chengdu to Nyingchi flights

Please note that there are two airports in Chengdu: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Please be sure to double-check the airport from which you arrive in Norway and the departure airport for your flight to Tibet. Both airports are about 70km away by car and take about 1 hour. The air ticket cost is around € 83- € 305.

The direct train Z322 from Chengdu to Lhasa leaves Chengdu West Railway Station every other day at 21:11 and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 07:41 on the third day. It takes approximately 34.5 hours to complete the 3,070-kilometer journey. Please check the train schedule in advance as trains from Chengdu to Lhasa do not run every day. The hard sleeper train ticket fee is about € 88 and the soft sleeper fee is about € 136.

Portugal-Xi'an-Tibet

The ancient capital of China, Xi'an, is rich in historical sites as well as cultural attractions, such as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the Ancient City Wall, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Currently, there are only connecting flights from Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY), which takes about 16 to 30 hours for one transfer. The main option is to have one layover in Hangzhou, Milan, and Seoul. The air ticket cost is around € 429- € 1092.

There are many daily direct flights from Xi'an Xianyang Airport to Lhasa, with a flight time of about 3-4 hours. The air ticket cost is around € 80- € 400.

>> See more about Xi'an to Lhasa flights

There are also direct trains from Xi'an to Lhasa, Z265 and Z165. Z165 departs at 09:27 every day and arrives in Lhasa at 15:05 the next day, while Z265 departs at 07:53 every other day and arrives in Lhasa at 14:17 the next day, covering a total distance of 2,900 kilometers in more than 30 hours. The hard sleeper fare is about € 85 and the soft sleeper fee is about € 132.

Via Nepal to Tibet

Portuguese also can fly to Kathmandu and then to Lhasa. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is the only international entry city to Tibet. There are many connecting flights from Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to Nepal's Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), which takes about 13 to 18 hours for one transfer. You can choose to have one layover in Doha or Istanbul. The air ticket cost is around € 1065.

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you can choose to fly directly to Lhasa, which is a convenient way. Currently, flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa depart on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week, with a total duration of about 1.5 hours. The air ticket cost is around € 385. During the flight, you may have the opportunity to view the Himalayas from the airplane window. As you fly over Mount Everest, you can enjoy a magnificent aerial view and it is recommended that you choose a seat on the left side of the plane to view the summit of Mt.Everest.

Or travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which is conducive for you to acclimatize to the high altitude and visit the sights along the way, which will pass by the magnificent Himalayas, sacred lakes such as Yamdroktso Lake, and the solemn Tibetan temples… You can experience the unique natural scenery and human customs of Tibet.

Documents for entering Tibet

Portuguese citizens need a Tibet Travel Permit no matter where you are getting to Tibet. You can entrust a Tibet travel agency to help you secure it.

Via Mainland China

To enter Tibet from mainland China, you need a China visa. For a China visa, you can make an appointment online and fill out the form, then bring the invitation letter and itinerary provided by the legit Chinese travel agency to the Chinese Embassy for a visa interview, which is usually issued within a week or so after approval. Currently, you can enjoy the policy of China visa-free till Dec 31, 2025.

Via Nepal

To enter Tibet from Nepal, you need a China Group Visa. For a China Group Visa, you can apply at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, with a tourist invitation letter from Tibet and your passport. Please note that a Chinese group visa requires 4 participants to apply together. It takes approximately 3 working days to apply for a group visa and then you can travel to Tibet. Due to the China visa-free policy, you don't need a China group visa to enter Tibet at present.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to fly via major Chinese cities, take the breathtaking Qinghai-Tibet train, or travel overland from Nepal, each route offers its own charm and unforgettable moments. With streamlined visa processes and convenient transportation options, exploring the mystical land of Tibet has never been more accessible for Portuguese travelers now!