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How to Travel to Tibet from the US: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
Separated by vast oceans, the journey from the US to Tibet is becoming easier and easier. Convenient non-stop flight routes connect major American cities to destinations in China, and trains and flights to Lhasa offer the choice between speed or scenic views to reach Tibet.
For more details about how to travel to Tibet from the United States, read this ultimate guide below. Get inspired and prepare for yourself a smooth and wonderful trip to Tibet from the US!
How Far is the US from Tibet? Are There Direct Flights?
The US is a big country, but no matter which coast you’re starting from, it’s over 12,000 km to Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet. Separated by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans on either side, the US and Tibet are on opposite sides of the world.
Lhasa is actually at a more southern latitude than Los Angeles, but the climates couldn’t be more different. Sitting on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau and ringed by Himalayan mountain ranges, Tibet is a world unto itself with a unique climate and geography.
There are no direct flights to Tibet from any cities in the US. You can connect through Tibet gateway cities in mainland China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Guangzhou. Direct flights connect major US cities to these travel hubs in China.
You can also reach Tibet from Kathmandu. Nepal’s capital is the only international city with a direct flight to Lhasa and is also the starting point for an incredible overland route across the Himalayas.
Getting to Tibet from US is becoming easier now.US to Tibet via Beijing: The Most Popular Choice
China’s capital, Beijing, is one of the most popular gateways to Tibet and a city with legendary sites of its own. Consider spending a few days touring the Great Wall and Forbidden City before transferring to Tibet by flight or train.
Air China and United Airlines operate numerous direct routes with non-stop flights from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Flying times range from 14-17 hours, and tickets start from $638. More direct routes are planned to open in 2025, including flights from Washington Dulles International Airport, Chicago, and Boston.
Flights from US to Beijing
| From | Flight No. | Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | CA982 | Air China | 02:05 | 06:50 | 16h 45m | $1008 |
| San Francisco | UA888 | United Airlines | 10:55 | 17:25 | 14h 30m | $673 |
| Los Angeles | CA984 | Air China | 22:00 | 05:05 | 15h 5h | $638 |
Regular, non-stop flights from Beijing to Lhasa are the quickest way to reach Tibet. Flying takes a little over four hours, with flights operated by Air China and Tibet Airlines. Ticket prices depend on the time of year but usually cost between 230-270 USD.
Beijing to Lhasa Flights
| Airline | Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | CA4125 | 7:45 | 11:55 | 4h 10m | Daily | $276 |
| Air China | CA4123 | 12:35 | 16:50 | 4h 15m | Daily | $276 |
| Tibet Airlines | TV9816 | 14:55 | 19:10 | 4h 15m | Daily | $230 |
The train is also a popular way to reach Tibet from Beijing. Train Z21 departs daily from Beijing West Train Station and arrives in Lhasa 39 hours and 43 minutes later. Soft sleeper berths are available to make the almost two-day journey comfortable, with great views to enjoy the scenery of mountains, lakes, glaciers, rivers, and vast plains along the way.
Beijing to Lhasa Train
| Train Number | Dep./Arr. | Duration | Distance | Frequency | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z21(Beijing-Lhasa) | 19:53 / 11:36 | 39:43hrs | 3,757km | Daily | ￥720.0 | ￥1144.0 |
One can get to Tibet from Beijing by train.US to Tibet via Shanghai: Also a Recommended Option
Shanghai is one of the easiest destinations in China to reach from the US. Non-stop flights are operated from six major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Flight times are a little shorter than to Beijing, with the shortest route from Seattle taking a little over 13 hours.
Flights from US to Shanghai
| From | Flight No. | Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | AA127 | American Airlines | 10:00 | 14:50 | 15h 50m | $973 |
| Detroit | DL389 | Delta Airlines | 11:00 | 13:45 | 14h 45m | $675 |
| Los Angeles | UA198 | United Airlines | 12:45 | 18:35 | 13h 50m | $552 |
| New York (JFK) | MU588 | China Eastern Airlines | 16:25 | 07:25 | 15h | $827 |
| San Francisco | UA857 | United Airlines | 15:50 | 18:45 | 13h 55m | $733 |
| Seattle | DL281 | Delta Airlines | 10:30 | 16:55 | 13h 25m | $499 |
There are no direct flights from Shanghai to Lhasa, but routes with stopovers in Xi’an or Chengdu still offer the fastest way to reach Tibet. China Eastern and Tibet Airlines have flights with brief stopovers for total travel times between 7-8.5 hours. Tickets start from 193 USD.
Shanghai to Lhasa Flights
| Airline | Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Stopover | Duration | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Eastern | MU2235 | 06:40 | 15:10 | 2h 20m | 8h 30m | Daily | $193 |
| Tibet Airlines | TV9882 | 14:40 | 21:40 | 1h 15m | 7h | Daily | $217 |
Trains from Shanghai to Lhasa travel a scenic route across the country. Two daily trains make the journey in 44-48 hours, with the final 20-hour stretch crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It is one of the best ways to see the landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau and a safe way to make the ascent to Lhasa’s elevation of 3,656m.
Shanghai to Lhasa Trains
| Train Number | Dep./Arr. | Duration | Distance | Frequency | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z164(Shanghai-Lhasa) | 18:33 / 15:05 | 44h 32m | 4,373km | Daily | $111 | $177 |
| Z166(Lhasa-Shanghai) | 11:50 / 12:03 | 48h 32m | 4,373km | Daily | $111 | $177 |
US to Tibet via Chengdu: Frequent Flights to Tibet
Chengdu is not the easiest destination in China to reach from the US, but it has the advantage of being well-connected to Tibet. It has one of the shortest train routes, frequent flights to Lhasa, and is a fascinating city with legendary cuisine and the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Currently, the only direct flight to Chengdu is available from Los Angeles. It takes 15h and 40m, with tickets starting from 507 USD. A direct route from San Francisco is planned for late 2025.
Flights US to Chengdu
| From | Flight No. | Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3U3838 | Sichuan Airlines | 23:15 | 05:55 | 15h 40m | $507 |
| San Francisco (via Beijing) | CA986 / CA4106 | Air China | 13:05 | 18:30 | 19h 30m | $561 |
There are over 20 daily non-stop flights to Lhasa from Chengdu, making it a very convenient gateway city. Flights depart from both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. It only takes a little over two hours, and tickets start from 52 USD.
Chengdu to Lhasa Flights
| Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hainan Airlines | 07:00 | 09:25 | 2h 25m | $52 |
| Air China | 11:45 | 13:50 | 2h 05m | $91 |
| China Eastern | 14:05 | 16:25 | 2h 20m | $106 |
| Tibet Airlines | 15:20 | 17:50 | 2h 30m | $66 |
| Tibet Airlines | 20:10 | 22:30 | 2h 20m | $89 |
Trains to Lhasa from Chengdu depart every other day from Chengdu West Train Station. The journey still takes 34.5 hours as the train travels first to Xining and then over the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa.
Chengdu to Lhasa Train
| Train Number | Dep./Arr. | Duration | Distance | Frequency | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z322 | 21:11 / 07:41 | 34:30hrs | 3,070km | Every other day | ￥627.5 | ¥997.5 |
US to Tibet via Guangzhou: Convenient Access via Southern China
Guangzhou is a gem of a city sitting on the Pearl River in the south of China. Non-stop flights from the US are available from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. China Southern Airlines operates the routes which take from 15-16 hours. Tickets start from 537 USD.
Flights from US to Guangzhou
| From | Flight No. | Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | CZ600 | China Southern Airlines | 01:10 | 05:05 | 15h 55m | $937 |
| Los Angeles | CZ328 | China Southern Airlines | 23:50 | 05:40 | 14h 50m | $537 |
| San Francisco | CZ658 | China Southern Airlines | 00:35 | 06:40 | 15h 5m | $637 |
Even though there are no direct flights to Lhasa from Guangzhou, flying is still the fastest way to get to Tibet. Convenient connections are available through a range of cities including Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, and Diqing. Flights from Sichuan Airlines and China Southern Airlines connecting through Chengdu can reach Lhasa in under 6 hours with prices starting from 105 USD.
Guangzhou to Lhasa Flights
| Airline(s) | Via | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Eastern Airlines | Diqing | 06:50 | 13:35 | 6h 45m | $196 |
| Air China | Chengdu | 10:00 | 16:40 | 6h 40m | $105 |
| Sichuan Airlines / China Southern Airlines | Chongqing | 10:15 | 16:10 | 5h 55m | $192 |
| China Eastern Airlines | Kunming | 11:25 | 18:05 | 6h 40m | $196 |
| China Southern Airlines / Tibet Airlines | Chongqing | 11:55 | 17:45 | 5h 45m | $233 |
Guangzhou to Lhasa is the longest direct train route to Tibet. The 4,980 km journey travels in a grand arc across the country, passing through seven provinces before traveling the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa. The trip takes 52 hours, and trains depart every other day.
Guangzhou to Lhasa Train
| Train No. | Dep./Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z264 | 09:15 / 14:17 | 52:02hrs | 4,980km | ¥865 | ¥1468 |
US to Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal: A Popular Way across the Himalayas
Kathmandu is almost as remote from the US as Tibet but has unique, adventurous routes for reaching Lhasa. There are no direct flights from the US to Nepal, but connections are available through regional hubs like Hong Kong and Guangzhou. It is a long journey, taking 23-24 hours. Tickets start from 849 USD.
Flights from US to Kathmandu
| From | Flight No. | Airline | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (via Hong Kong) | CX841 / CX603 | Cathay Pacific | 10:00 | 16:35 | 24h | $977 |
| Los Angeles (visa Guangzhou) | CZ328 / CZ6067 | China Southern Airlines | 23:00 | 11:00 | 23h 15h | $849 |
Kathmandu is the only international city with a direct flight to Lhasa. The 90-minute flight passes directly over Mount Everest for a unique bird’s eye view of the famous mountain. Himalaya Airlines operates the route three times a week.
Kathmandu to Lhasa Flights
| Day | Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | H9774 | 07:00 | 10:25 | 1h 10m |
| Wednesday | H9774 | 08:25 | 12:00 | 1h 20m |
| Friday | H9774 | 08:25 | 12:00 | 1h 20m |
The most popular way to reach Lhasa from Kathmandu is the overland route via Everest Base Camp. It takes 8-days, entering Tibet through the Gyirong border crossing, and ascending the Himalayas to marvel at Mount Everest.
The route then follows the modern national highway to Shigatse and Gyantse, with sites like the famed Tashilhunpo Monastery and giant Kumbum Stupa. Traveling eastward toward Lhasa, you’ll see the turquoise Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier before arriving in Tibet’s provincial capital.
Kathmandu is also a good gateway to get to Tibet.Required Documents for Tibet from the US
Several documents are needed for American travelers to Tibet. The first is a Chinese Tourist Visa. Visas can be obtained through the nearest Chinese Embassy, consulate, or Visa Service Center. The process usually takes 3-4 business days and requires a passport with at least six months' validity and two blank pages.
After obtaining a visa, the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) can be applied for. It requires a pre-booked tour through a registered Tibet travel agency, and we will make the application on your behalf. It usually takes 7-14 to receive the TTP, but we recommend starting at least 20 days in advance.
Depending on your itinerary, additional permits, such as the Alien’s Travel Permit, and Military Permit, may also be required. These permits are also handled by us and can be arranged after your arrival in Tibet.
Besides, if you enter Tibet from Nepal, you will need a special Group Tourist Visa, instead of Chinese Visa. The visa can only be applied for in Kathmandu and we can help you to get it, together with your Tibet Travel Permit. It takes 3-4 days, so be sure to arrive in Kathmandu in advance for the application.
Chinese Visa is needed to visit Tibet.Conclusion
Travelers from the US to Tibet have many convenient options for reaching the ‘roof of the world.’ No matter which way you choose, we have a range of Tibet tours to let you experience all the wonders of one of the most remote areas of the world. Contact us anytime for more information, and start planning your Tibet tour from the US today.
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