Flights to Tibet from Singapore

As the world's most mysterious place and the holy land of Buddhist culture, Tibet attracted a great number of tourists at home and abroad including Singaporeans. Taking a flight to Tibet is a popular way for Singaporeans when planning a trip to Tibet.

In recent years, because of the visa-free privileged status, Singaporeans have been accorded by the Chinese government to stay 15 days in China. This Visa-free Policy encouraged Singaporeans to travel to mainland China, as well as Tibet.

How to Reach Tibet From Singapore?

There are two viable routes to Tibet from Singapore. You can either reach Tibet via mainland China or reach Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal. Each of these routes provides great highlights and a travel experience.

Singapore-Tibet via Mainland China

At the onset, it is good to note that there is no direct flight to Tibet from Singapore. So, your best option is to board a flight to any strategically located Chinese inland cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. These inland cities have direct or non-stop flights from Singapore Changi Airport. Moreover, from any of these inland cities, you can board a flight to Tibet. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Singapore to Lhasa via Chengdu(Recommended)

Chengdu is a metropolis in southwest China. It's one of the best choices for you because the flights from Singapore to Chengdu run more than 10 times a day. The airline distance between Changi Airport(SIN) and Shuangliu Airport(CTU) is 2,010 miles(3,235 kilometers). There are two ways of flying to Chengdu. One is to take a direct flight from Changi Airport to Shuangliu Airport, which costs about SGD613 for each person. Another way is to choose a connecting flight that can be made through Hong Kong and saves the cost of at least SGD68.

And there are multiple choices of flights from Chengdu to Lhasa. Chengdu to Lhasa flight takes about 2 hours 30 minutes and the cost is about SGD327. Besides Lhasa, you can also fly from Chengdu to other major prefectures in Tibet, such as Nyingchi, Shigatse, and Qamdo.

So if you're taking a flight to Lhasa via Chengdu, the total cost for a one-way flight is about SGD939.

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Alternatively, you also can take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa, which takes 36 hours and costs SGD272 for a soft-sleeper ticket. Along the way, you can view the breathtaking scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

>> See more about Chengdu to Lhasa train

2. Singapore to Lhasa via Chongqing

Chongqing is a vital transportation hub in southwest China, not far away from Tibet. It's also easily accessible from Singapore Changi Airpot(SIN) to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport(CKG) as there are at least two direct flights each day. The airline distance between Changi Airport and Jiangbei Airport is 1,967 miles (3,166 km). You can reach Chongqing in about 4 hours and 15 minutes from Singapore. A Singapore-Chongqing economy flight ticket costs only SGD572 for each person.

And, there are also at least 9 non-stop daily flights to Tibet from Chongqing. So, you will have plenty of flight options to Tibet. Chongqing to Lhasa flight takes about 3 hours and the cost is about SGD272.

So if you are taking a flight to Lhasa via Chongqing, the total cost for a one-way flight is about SGD844.

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Alternatively, you also can take a train from Chongqing to Lhasa, which takes 36 hours and costs SGD299 for a soft-sleeper ticket.

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3. Singapore to Lhasa via Beijing/Shanghai

As the top 2 metropolis cities in China, Beijing and Shanghai definitely are the major cities for tourists to fly to Tibet. It takes around six hours and costs approximately SGD708 for you to fly to either Beijing or Shanghai.

Taking a direct flight from Beijing to Lhasa takes 4 hours 35 mins and costs SGD449; taking a direct/connecting flight from Shanghai to Lhasa takes 7 to 9 hours and also costs about SGD449.

So if you are taking a flight to Lhasa via Beijing/Shanghai, the total cost for a one-way flight is about SGD1157.

>> See more about Beijing to Lhasa flight

>> See more about Shanghai to Lhasa flight

With the Qinghai-Tibet Railway putting into service, you can also take trains to Lhasa. Taking a train from Beijing to Lhasa takes about 41 hours and costs SGD408 for a soft sleeper ticket. However, it is much longer to take a train from Shanghai to Lhasa which is about 48 hours and costs SGD436 for a soft sleeper ticket.

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>> See more about Shanghai to Lhasa train

4. Singapore to Lhasa via Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a coastal metropolitan area in Southeast China. It is easily accessible from Singapore and is just 1,632.58 miles (2,627.38 kilometers) away from Singapore. From Singapore Changi Airport(SIN), you can reach Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport(CAN) within 4 hours of the flight. The cost of an economy ticket for this flight is around SGD613.

The flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa takes 6 to 9 hours of flight and costs about SGD463 because Guangzhou is located on the eastern seaboard of China. This flight covers a distance of 1,429.28 miles (2,316 kilometers). At present, there are around 5 flights that service the Guangzhou-Lhasa route.  

So if you're taking a flight to Lhasa via Guangzhou, the total cost for a one-way flight is about SGD1075.

>> See more about Guangzhou to Lhasa flight

Alternatively, you also can take a train from Guangzhou to Lhasa, which is the longest Tibet train journey taking 53 hours and costing SGD418 for a soft-sleeper ticket.

>> See more about Guangzhou to Lhasa train

Singapore-Tibet via Kathmandu

Flying from Singapore to Nepal and then to Lhasa is also available. However, there is a direct flight from Singapore Changi Airport(SIN) to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport(KTM) at a cost of SGD420. Alternatively, you can take the connecting flight to Kathmandu via transit in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok or Delhi. For this flight route, it usually takes about SGD220 to SGD360.

And then, you take the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport(LXA) at a cost of SGD650. The greatest advantage of this flight tour is that it 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.

>> See more about Kathmandu to Lhasa flight

And one more thing, if you intend to get to Tibet from Nepal, a China Group Visa is required even if Singaporeans can enjoy a China visa-free policy. Please book your Tibet tours first then get the invitation letter for the document. Your Tibet Travel Agency will handle all the things for you. Also you need to get to Kathmandu at least 3 days in advance to get the document. Currently China Group Visa only issues per 4 participants. If there are less than 4 people from you, the group visa will not be issued.

Documentary Requirements for Singaporean Citizens

Nationals of Singapore can enter China visa-free and can stay for up to 15 days without applying for a visa. This unilateral visa exemption means that Singapore citizens only need to obtain a Tibet travel permit to enter Tibet. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a Chinese visa.

Tibet Entry Permit

Even if you are a Singaporean citizen, a Tibet Entry Permit is always required once you travel to Tibet. It will be checked at the train station/airport, as well as the attractions in Tibet. Only with the Tibet Entry Permit, you can then check in at a hotel.  Since independent travel to Tibet is prohibited, travelers can't apply for an entry permit on their own. It only can be applied through a registered Tibet Travel Agency with the scan of travelers' passports and China visas. And all your travel itineraries, hotels, vehicles, tour guide, etc. should be pre-arranged and recorded on your entry permit. Therefore choosing a reliable local Travel Agency is extremely important. Great Tibet Tour is a Lonely Planet-recommended Tibet travel agency and we can guarantee your Tibet entry permit and take care of all your Tibet journey.

>> See more about Tibet entry permit

China Visa

Singaporean citizens are allowed to enter China without a visa for a maximum period of 15 days. However,  for a long journey to Tibet, A China Visa is also required to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit without which you cannot enter Tibet.

>> See more about China visa