How to Travel from Australia to Tibet: The Ultimate Guide in 2025

Despite the remote distance, reaching Tibet from Australia has become easier than ever. You can enjoy convenient transfers via mainland China or Nepal. In 2025, it’s even more convenient with the visa-free entry to China. Read this ultimate guide on how to travel from Australia to Tibet, and prepare for a wonderful trip to the plateau!

How Far is Australia from Tibet? Is There a Direct Flight?

Australia is the closest of all Western nations to Asia, but the proximity on the map can be misleading, as with Australia’s major cities on the southeast coast. Places like Sydney and Melbourne are over 9,000 kilometers away from Lhasa. Even the closest major city, Perth, is over 7,000 km away.

Given this vast distance, there are no direct flights between Australia and Tibet. You must transit through major cities in China or Kathmandu, Nepal, before making your way to the Tibetan Plateau. However, non-stop flights are available to Tibet gateway cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, giving you easy transfer options for reaching Lhasa.

Australia to Tibet via Beijing: The Most Popular Choice

Beijing is one of the most popular choices for Australian travelers who are going to Tibet. Air China operates non-stop flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Beijing Capital International Airport every day. The flight takes between 11 and 12 hours, and the ticket price starts at around 700 USD.

Flights from Australia to Beijing

From Beijing, the best way to reach Tibet is by flight or train. The Tibet train is an incredible scenic experience across China. Train Z21 departs 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, and you can enjoy the scenery of mountains, lakes, glaciers, rivers, and vast plains along the way.

Beijing to Lhasa Train

Flying is the fastest option for reaching Tibet from Beijing. Direct flights to Lhasa take a little over 4 hours and are available daily from Air China and Tibet Airlines. Tickets are usually between 230-270 USD, depending on the time of year.

Beijing to Lhasa Flights

Beijing is one of the most popular cities for traveling from Australia to Tibet.

Australia to Tibet via Shanghai: Also a Recommended Option

Shanghai is also a good option for entering China from Australia. It has the advantage of having direct connections to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Flying times are a little shorter, taking 9-11 hours, depending on where you start from. Routes are flown by China Eastern and the budget airline Juneyao for some options for cheaper tickets.

Flights from Australia to Shanghai

Trains from Shanghai to Lhasa take around 44 hours for a leisurely scenic journey across the country. The final 20-hour stretch is over the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world and one of the best ways to see the landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau.

Shanghai to Lhasa Trains

Flying to Lhasa from Shanghai cuts down on travel time and allows you to maximize your time in Tibet. Direct flights to Lhasa aren’t available, but China Eastern and Tibet Airlines offer routes with brief stopovers in cities like Xi’an and Chengdu. Total travel times range between 7-8.5 hours, and tickets start from 193 USD.

Shanghai to Lhasa Flights

China Eastern Airlines offers flights to Lhasa from Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Australia to Tibet via Chengdu: A Closer Gateway to the Plateau

Chengdu’s close distance to Tibet makes it a popular gateway city and a good choice for Australian travelers. Sichuan Airlines flies non-stop from Sydney and Melbourne on a flight that takes 10-11 hours. Chengdu is a fascinating city with legendary cuisine. Adding a tour of the city before going to Tibet would let you visit the famous Chengdu Research Base of Panda to see the conservation efforts supporting the endangered animals.

Flights from Australia to Shanghai

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

Flying from Chengdu to Lhasa is very convenient, with over 20 non-stop flights each day from both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. Flying time is a little over two hours, and tickets start from 52 USD.

Chengdu to Lhasa Flights (Selected)

Many flights from Chengdu to Lhasa depart from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

Australia to Tibet via Guangzhou: Convenient Access via Southern China

Guangzhou is one of the best-connected cities in mainland China to Australia. With some of the shortest flying times, ranging from 8 to 9.5 hours, direct flights are available to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Arriving in China quickly lets you start your tour earlier.

Flights from Australia to Guangzhou

The 4,980 km train journey from Guangzhou to Tibet is the longest direct train route to Tibet. It travels in a grand arc across the country, passing through seven provinces before traveling the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa. The trip takes 53 hours, and trains depart every other day.

Guangzhou to Lhasa Train

There are two direct flights from Guangzhou to Lhasa, with a stopover in Chongqing and Diqing. Flights are operated by Sichuan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, and take about 6 hours to reach Lhasa.

Guangzhou to Lhasa Flights

Tibet train is one of popular ways to get to Tibet from mainland China.

Australia to Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal: Traveling Through the Himalayas

Australia to Tibet via Kathmandu is a less traveled but adventurous route that lets you traverse the Himalayas on the way to Lhasa. There are no direct flights to Nepal, but connections are available through major transportation hubs like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Flight times range from 15-17 hours, and tickets are around 500-600 USD.

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

The overland route from Kathmandu to Lhasa is a popular adventure that crosses the Himalayas and visits important natural and cultural sites. It is a 8-day journey that enters Tibet at the Gyirong border and ascends through the mountains to Everest Base Camp.

Then, the route joins the well-paved national road to Shigatse and Gyantse, where you can visit the famed Tashilhunpo Monastery and be amazed by the giant Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse. As you travel eastwards to Lhasa, you will also pass the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, Manak Dam Lake, and Karola Glacier.

What Documents to Obtain? Chinese Visa Free Now!

Currently, Australian citizens can enjoy visa-free to China for stays of up to 30 days, valid until the end of 2025. This makes planning your trip from Australia to Tibet much more convenient.

Before entering Tibet, you only need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit. And we can help you to get the permit with a simple process. Just book your Tibet tour with us, and we will take care of the rest. Usually it takes 8-9 working days for the permit application, but we recommend contacting us at least 20 days in advance to avoid any delays.

Conclusion

Thanks to improved infrastructure and the visa-free policy for Australian travelers, reaching Tibet has never been easier. By planning your route, securing the necessary permits, and allowing time for acclimatization, you can immerse yourself in Tibet’s breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant traditions. Whether you choose to travel via Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, or Kathmandu, each route presents unique opportunities for distinct experiences of the nature and culture of the Tibetan Plateau. If you still have any question about Tibet travel, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today!