Travel to Tibet from Poland

Tibet, a mysterious land on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, attracts travelers from all over the world with its breathtaking natural scenery, rich religious culture, and unique Tibetan customs. Traveling from Poland to Tibet is a long journey, but with proper planning, you can successfully reach this dream destination. This article will introduce several main travel options and provide some practical tips.

To travel from Poland to Tibet, you can first fly to mainland China with your national passport and a Chinese visa (preferably a "Tourist Visa" or "L Visa"). From there, you need a Tibet Travel Permit to take a train or flight to Lhasa. Another option is to enter Tibet via Nepal. In this case, you can apply for a "Chinese Group Tourist Visa" at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Important Notice: Polish tourists can enjoy a 30-day visa-free entry to China, valid until December 31, 2025.

Pre-Trip Preparations

Before flying from Poland to China, you need to obtain a China visa. First, submit your visa application online and visit the nearest China Visa Application Service Center to complete the necessary procedures. It is important not to mention Tibet in your application, as this may lead to visa rejection by the Chinese embassy.

Once you have successfully obtained your visa, you can choose to fly to major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, or Chengdu, then take a flight or train to Lhasa. Before heading to Lhasa, you may also explore these cities' famous attractions. We can also arrange city sightseeing tours and provide one-stop travel services for you.

Additionally, foreign travelers must have a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. It is recommended that you find a reputable Tibet travel agency online in advance to help you obtain the permit smoothly. The travel agency will then express the permit to your hotel in mainland China, then you can carry it to board your flight to Lhasa.

Poland – Mainland China – Tibet

Since Tibet is located in western China, there are no direct international flights from Poland to Lhasa. Travelers from Poland must transit through major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, or Shanghai before taking a connecting flight or train to Lhasa. 

Warsaw – Beijing – Lhasa (Recommended!)

You are recommended to fly to Beijing, the capital of China, and then take a flight or train to Lhasa. 

There's a direct flight from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which is operated by Air China (CA738) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The flight takes approximately 9 hours, with a ticket price of around PLN 3500. Or you can take connecting flights via Doha (DOH), Prague (PRG), or Dubai (DXB). These options take about 15 hours and cost approximately PLN 2000.

After arriving in Beijing, you can take a direct flight from Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport (PKX) to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA). The flight duration is approximately 4-5 hours, and the full-price economy class ticket costs around PLN 1600. Domestic tickets usually have discounts if purchased 1-2 months in advance. >> See more Beijing to Lhasa flights

If you have sufficient time, you can also choose train Z21 from Beijing to Lhasa. The train departs at 19:22 and arrives in Lhasa on the third day at 11:42, taking approximately 40 hours and 20 minutes. The soft sleeper ticket costs around PLN 650. This option allows you to enjoy the scenic views along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Additionally, traveling by train helps you gradually acclimate to the high-altitude environment. However, train tickets on this route are in high demand, especially during peak tourist seasons, making it difficult to secure a ticket.

Warsaw – Xi’an – Lhasa

Warsaw is also relatively close to Xi’an, China, but there are no direct flights compared to Beijing. You can transit once through cities such as Beijing (PEK), Paris (CDG), or Seoul (ICN) before arriving at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). The total flight time is approximately 14-18 hours, with a ticket price of around PLN 2500.

After arriving in Xi’an, you can take a direct flight from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA). The total flight duration is approximately 3 hours, and the full-price economy class ticket costs around PLN 1400. >> See more Xi'an to Lhasa flights

You can also travel from Xi’an to Lhasa by train. There are two daily trains, Z265 and Z165, departing from Xi’an Railway Station in the morning and arriving in Lhasa the following afternoon. The soft sleeper ticket costs around PLN 550, and the total journey takes approximately 30 hours.

Warsaw – Chengdu – Lhasa

Flying from Warsaw to Chengdu is also a popular choice among Polish travelers. You can transit once through cities such as Beijing (PEK), Doha (DOH), or Frankfurt (FRA) before arriving at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). The total flight time is approximately 14-17 hours, with a ticket price of around PLN 3200.

After arriving in Chengdu, you can take a flight from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA). The total flight time is approximately 2.5 hours, with a full-price ticket costing around PLN 1500. Discounted tickets are often available, especially during the low season (winter), when prices can drop to PLN 800-1000. Chengdu is a major aviation hub for Tibet, with more than 10 daily flights to Lhasa. For travelers with tight schedules, Chengdu is one of the best options. >>See more Chengdu to Lhasa flights

You can also take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa. The Z322 train is the only direct train from Chengdu to Lhasa, but it operates every other day. For detailed schedules and ticket booking, please consult your travel advisor. The soft sleeper ticket costs around PLN 550, and the journey takes approximately 37 hours and 16 minutes.

Warsaw – Shanghai – Lhasa

You can choose to fly from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) via a one-stop transfer in cities such as Brussels (BRU), Doha (DOH), or Dubai (DXB). The total flight time is around 15-18 hours, with a ticket price of approximately PLN 3000.

After arriving in Shanghai, you can fly from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) via Xi’an or fly from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) via Chengdu. It usually takes 8-9 hours, and the flight ticket costs around PLN 1800. >> See more Shanghai to Lhasa flights

Alternatively, you can take a train from Shanghai to Lhasa. The Z164 train departs daily from Shanghai Railway Station, taking 46 hours and 44 minutes. The soft sleeper ticket costs around PLN 700. The train departs in the evening from Shanghai and arrives in Lhasa on the afternoon of the third day.

Poland – Nepal – Tibet

There are no direct flights from Warsaw to Kathmandu, Nepal. At least one transfer is required, with a total travel time of approximately 11-18 hours. The cost is around PLN 3000.

After arriving in Nepal, you can choose to fly to Lhasa or travel overland via the Gyirong border into Tibet. Since the direct Kathmandu-Lhasa flight was re-introduced, flying to Tibet from Nepal has become a very popular option.

Kathmandu is the only city with direct international flights to Lhasa. In 2025, from April to October, direct flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with a total flight time of about 3 hours. The ticket price is around PLN 1600.

Nepal is also the only international overland entry point to Tibet. Compared to flying, traveling overland is more popular. You will stay in Gyirong town for altitude acclimatization before visiting Tingri, Everest Base Camp, and Shigatse, eventually reaching Lhasa. Along the Friendship Highway, you will witness the majestic Himalayan peaks, sacred Buddhist monasteries, and breathtaking high-altitude lakes, offering a unique opportunity to explore Tibetan culture and lifestyle.

Conclusion

The journey from Poland to Tibet may be long, but it is filled with breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences. Whether you fly, take a train, or travel overland, each route offers a unique perspective of Tibet’s beauty. With proper preparation, you will successfully reach this mystical highland and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!