Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight

The Land of Snows falls under the People's Republic of China. Tibet's nearest neighbor, Nepal is now the only nation with global air links to Tibet.  Taking a Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is absolutely a good option for you which gives you a chance to see the great aerial views of Mt. Everest as you pass over it and it is advisable to choose your seats on the left side of the plane to enjoy the summit of Mt. Everest.

Overview of Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight

The only terminal that runs flights to and from Lhasa is the Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. When alone, you can book tickets online. If in a group, then book your flights online together or book once everyone reaches Nepal since you will share a China Group Visa.

As of now, there are two airlines offering non-stop flights. Generally, they cost USD 400 per individual, one way. It ordinarily takes 90 minutes.

Of the ways to reach Lhasa traveling from Kathmandu, an easy way to travel is taking a flight route like the following,

Home→ Nepal → Nepal to Tibet Flight → Tibet 

And now, there's no train available between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Or you can opt for an overland tour that a 1300Km journey to Lhasa via Gyirong Port. It typically takes 7-8 days. If you want a quicker and more convenient way, go for the flights.

Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight Schedule and Price

If you don't wanna transfer to other cities, taking direct flights is best for you. Flying from Tribhuvan International Airport, the sole international airport in Nepal, to Lhasa Gonggar Airport will take about one and a half hours. Presently, there are 4 direct flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu, run by Air China and Sichuan Airline separately. Besides, there are also some connecting flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu, with a stopover in Chengdu, Kunming or Chongqing. Due to the large number of passengers in the peak tourism season(from July to September), booking flight tickets in advance(at least 20 days) is necessary. As soon as you arrive at the Lhasa airport, your tour guide, private vehicle, and driver will greet you. Then, you can start your Tibet travel according to your pre-arranged itinerary.

Air China is the biggest carrier that offers direct flights every alternate weekday ( Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ) from Kathmandu to Lhasa. From Kathmandu, flights leave at around 12:10 pm NPT and land in Lhasa Gonggar International Airport at about 4:00 pm CST. The above-mentioned is considering the time zone differences.

Sichuan Airline offers direct flights every alternate weekday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)from Kathmandu to Lhasa. From Kathmandu, direct flight leaves at 12:10 pm NPT and land in Lhasa Gonggar International Airport at about 4:00 pm CST.

The Time Schedule of Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasaá

The Time Schedule of Flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Discounted Flight Tickets from Kathmandu to Lhasa

In fact, flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu is not very cheap. But how can get a discounted flight ticket from Kathmandu to Lhasa? You’d better know about the following two ways. The first way is to plan a Tibet tour in the slack tourist season, nearly from November to April. During the low season, the price of the air ticket will be lower than the peak tourist season. The second way is to book your air ticket in advance. According to the survey, travelers who book the air ticket tens of days in advance can enjoy a favorable price than those who book the air ticket close to the departure.

Necessary Documents

While the document you required to enter Tibet is different from the mainland of China. Instead of a normal Chinese Tourist Visa, you need to apply for a Group Chinese Tourist Visa which can be applied with the assistant of a Tibet Travel Agency you booked. And the Group Chinese Visa can also be issued to the solo traveler. In addition, all travelers should get Tibet Entry Permits to enter Tibet and check-in hotel. Since you have already signed up with a Travel Agency, they will take care of applying for your Tibet Entry Permit as well.

Getting to the Kathmandu Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport is about six kilometers away from Kathmandu. With normal traffic, it takes 15-20 min. by road. It is advisable to leave with a margin of at least an hour to reach the airport in case of unexpected incidents. There are two means of transportation that you can utilize. One is to take the shuttle bus. You can find it about 300 meters from the terminal outside of the airport. But it's not recommended unless you have very little luggage.

Then there are local taxis, which are barely managed, can be hailed from the street. They’re less comfortable, run without a meter and you should probably settle on a price beforehand. You can always bargain with them. As there are no adequately regulated prices or meters calculating the price, you might get charged hefty amounts. Usually, a taxi from the airport to Kathmandu city center costs about 200 rupees. At night, the cost of a taxi is more expensive than that during the day, and it is generally one-third or two-thirds more expensive. However, local taxi drivers are extremely cheerful and outgoing. Though not many of them speak English, they try their best to be chatty and interactive during the trip.

Conclusion

To sum up, you must be arranged in advance, either traveling from Kathmandu to Tibet or Mainland China to Tibet. As is known to us that traveling by air is the most convenient and comfortable way of getting from Kathmandu to Tibet while the procedure of booking air tickets is not always straightforward. Choosing a reliable local travel agency definitely a good idea by which you can ensure booking the tickets easily and fast. Great Tibet Tour, one of the leading local travel agencies in Tibet may meet your demand. We can provide you excellent touring service and ticket booking as well as all supporting documents.