How to Travel to Tibet from Spain?

For Spanish travelers, Tibet nestled in the heart of the Himalayas offers a mysterious experience, blending adventure, serenity, and the chance to immerse yourself in authentic Buddhist culture. From the sacred monasteries of Lhasa to the majestic mountain peaks, this guide will help you plan your journey to Tibet, covering everything from visa requirements and transportation for a smooth adventure.

There is no direct flight from Barcelona to Lhasa, Tibet. In order to get to Tibet, you can take a connecting flight to mainland China and then go to Lhasa by plane or by train via the Qinghai-Tibet railway. Another way is to fly from a Spanish city to Kathmandu, Nepal, then you can fly or take an overland tour to Lhasa.

No matter which way, you need to apply for a Tibet entry permit in advance. Procedures for applying for a permit: send copies of your passport, your occupation, and the cities where you enter and exit Tibet, etc., to your Tibet travel agency and your travel agency will help obtain your Tibet travel permit on your behalf. Due to the visa-free policy, you can be exempt from China visa and China Group Visa till 31 December 2025.

Important Note: Visitors from Spain can enjoy a 30-day visa-free policy till 31 December 2025.

Spain to Tibet via Mainland China

There are currently no direct flights from Spain to cities in mainland China. Barcelona Airport, Madrid Airport, Seville Airport, Mallorca Airport and Valencia Airport in Spain all have indirect flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong in China, with one or two stops in between, take at least 15 hours and at most 43 hours including stopovers, then you can get to Lhasa plane or train.

If Spaniards go this route, you need to go to the Chinese Embassy to apply for a Chinese visa. It is recommended that Spanish tourists apply for a tourist China Visa(L visa). If it is a non-L visa, you need to provide relevant certificates related to your work, study, business, etc. For details, you can consult our professional travel consultant.

Barcelona (BCN) - Beijing (PEK) - Lhasa (LXA)

The flight from Barcelona to Beijing, with 1 or 2 stops, takes about 15 to 30 hours and costs EUR710 to EUR1010. It's the first choice for most Spaniards.

From Beijing to Lhasa, there is only one direct flight from Beijing Capital International Airport every day, and more indirect flights stop in Chengdu and then to Lhasa. It takes about 5 to 15 hours and costs EUR465 to EUR615.

Of course, you can also choose the train from Beijing to Lhasa. There is only one daily train Z21 from Beijing to Lhasa. The journey covers 3,757 kilometers, and it arrives in Lhasa around 12:30 pm on the third day after about 41 hours. The soft sleeper costs EUR170.

Barcelona(BCN) - Shanghai(PVG) - Lhasa(LXA)

The flight from Barcelona to Shanghai with 1 or 2 stops, takes about 14 to 16 hours and costs EUR750 to EUR1100.

From Shanghai to Lhasa, there are currently no direct flights, and there are more indirect flights that stop in cities such as Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing or Kunming and then to Lhasa. They take about 8 to 25 hours and cost EUR475 to EUR715.

There is one daily train Z164 from Shanghai to Lhasa. The journey covers 4,373 kilometers and arrives in Lhasa at around 6:50 pm on the third day after about 47 hours. The soft sleeper costs EUR185. This is the second longest train among all routes in Lhasa.

Madrid(MAD) - Guangzhou(CAN) - Lhasa(LXA)

The flight from Barcelona to Guangzhou with 1 or 2 stops, takes about 18 to 30 hours and costs EUR600 to EUR1400.

From Guangzhou to Lhasa, there is no direct flight, but there are many indirect flights, which stop in Chongqing and Chengdu and then to Lhasa. They take about 6 to 11 hours and cost EUR420 to EUR563.

There is one train Z265 from Guangzhou to Lhasa every day. The trip covers nearly 5,000 kilometers and arrives in Lhasa around 5:05 pm on the third day after about 54 hours. The soft sleeper costs EUR215. This is the longest of all train journeys to Lhasa.

Madrid(MAD) - Chengdu(TFU) - Lhasa(LXA)

The flight from Madrid to Chengdu with one to three stops, takes about 19 to 33 hours and costs EUR939 to EUR1800.

From Chengdu to Lhasa, there are many direct flights to Lhasa, which take about 2 hours and 30 minutes and cost EUR315 to EUR440. With more than 15 flights per day, Chengdu is one of the best airports to fly to Tibet. And with a short travel time, it is also one of the best choices for tourists with time constraints.

The train Z322 from Chengdu to Lhasa does not run every day, but every other day. The trip covers 3,360 kilometers and arrives in Lhasa around 10:15 am on the third day after about 37 hours. The soft sleeper costs EUR150. Chengdu is one of the most popular gateway cities for departures from mainland China to Tibet.

Barcelona(BCN) - Hong Kong(HKG) - Lhasa (LXA)

The flight from Barcelona to Hong Kong, with one or two stops, takes about 15 hours to 28 hours and costs EUR690 to EUR1100. But there are currently no direct flights from Hong Kong to Lhasa, but several indirect flights transit in Chengdu then to Lhasa every day. They take about 16 hours to 22 hours and cost EUR220 to EUR390.

There is no direct train from Hong Kong to Lhasa, but there are 2 to 3 transfer trains every day, departing from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing or Zhengzhou, and then to Lhasa. These transfer trains are time-consuming and expensive, so it is not recommended for tourists to take the train from Hong Kong to Lhasa.

Spain to Tibet via Nepal

Since Tibet borders Nepal, Spaniards can also choose to enter Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal. In this case, you need to apply for a group tourist visa (China group visa) in Kathmandu instead of a China Visa, as well as a Tibet Entry Permit. Please note that a China Group Visa requires 4 applications and it takes 3 working days.

Barcelona(BCN) - Kathmandu(KTM) - Lhasa(LXA)

From Barcelona to Kathmandu, there are several options and better prices. The flights take about 12 to 18 hours with one stop at Amad International Airport(DOH) or Istanbul Airport(IST) and cost about EUR540 to EUR700.

The direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are resuming now, now there are three direct flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On other days, you can only take a flight from Kathmandu to Chengdu and then to Lhasa. If you choose this route, you need to apply for a China visa in advance.

Alternatively, you can take an epic overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa across the mighty Himalayas. As tourists travel by jeep to the Nepalese border checkpoint at Rasuwagadi, from where tourists will cross the Re Suo Bridge across the Trishuli River gorge to the Tibetan side where tourists will travel through the border. The journey from Gyirong to Lhasa will take tourists through alpine gorges and vast green grasslands. Tourists will visit ancient monasteries dotted this sacred land, as well as fascinating lakes that can be found throughout Tibet. The trip will end in Lhasa, where tourists can experience distinctive Tibetan culture, and religion, and visit the attractions of this holy city.

>> See more about Road Trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Conclusion

Traveling from Spain to Tibet is an adventure that combines the thrill of navigating diverse routes with the reward of experiencing one of the most mystical and breathtaking destinations in the world. Whether you choose to enter Tibet through mainland China or Nepal, the journey is as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself. By carefully planning your itinerary, understanding the permit and visa requirements, and selecting the travel route that suits your preferences, you can ensure a seamless and memorable trip.