Travel to Tibet from Singapore

With the Chinese visa-free policy for Singaporean guests, more and more Singaporean tourists tend to travel to Tibet. Every year, tens of thousands of Singaporeans travel to beautiful Tibet to experience its unique plateau scenery and profound Buddhist culture.

How to Travel to Tibet from Singapore?

At the onset, it is good to note that there is now a direct flight from Singapore to Lhasa, Tibet via Chongqing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, if you plan to travel on other days or visit other cities, you can fly to major cities in China and transit to Lhasa conveniently. You can depart from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and many other cities in China then get to Tibet by flight or by train. Or Enter Tibet from Nepal because it is close to Tibet. You can fly directly from Singapore to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and then to Lhasa by flight or by land.

Via Mainland China to Tibet

Once you arrive in China, you will have two options to get to Tibet: by plane or by train. Taking a flight is fast and comfortable while taking a train is good for acclimatizing to high altitude. There are daily flights towards Lhasa in major cities such as Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xián, etc., so you can choose one that suits your schedule. While the scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is reputable. You'll see snow-capped mountains, crystal lakes, and tranquil pastures during your train journey.

Singapore - Chengdu - Lhasa (Recommended)

Traveling to Tibet via Chengdu is the most popular route for Singaporeans, and it is convenient and cost-effective. Chengdu is relatively close to both Tibet and Singapore. There are about 3- 4 flights per day from Singapore to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), with a flight time of about 4.5 hours. One-way economy class fare is around SGD265 - SGD848. By the way, transit flights are available via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where fares are even lower, down to around SGD172 in the low tourist season.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you can take a flight or train to Tibet. Chengdu offers more than a dozen direct flights to Lhasa per day. It takes about 2.5 hours to fly from Chengdu to Lhasa, and the full one-way economy class fare is about SGD550, in the low tourist season, the one-way fare is as low as about SGD66. The direct train from Chengdu to Lhasa, Z322 runs every other day. The soft sleeper fare is SGD203.

Singapore - Chongqing - Lhasa

Taking a direct flight from Singapore to Lhasa with a layover in Chongqing is also a viable option now. West Air operates this international flight, which runs on December 25th, 2024. The flight number is PN6426, available every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with a flight duration of 10 hours and 25 minutes. During the 2.5-hour layover in Chongqing, passengers can complete immigration procedures and rest before continuing their journey to Lhasa. The flight fare usually costs about SGD345. The return flight is PN6425, operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The flight duration is 10 hours and 15 minutes, with a flight fare of about SGD250. 

In addition to direct flights, you can take a connecting flight via Chongqing. There are also at least 4 direct flights from Singapore to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG). The flight time is about 5 hours, with a fare of about SGD270-624.

After arrival, you can take a flight or train to Tibet, depending on your preference. There are at least 6 non-stop flights from Chongqing to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) every day, so you have many options. The flight costs about SGD272-405, with a duration of 3 hours. Besides, you can board the Chongqing to Lhasa train Z223 from Chongqing West Railway Station. It's only available every other day. The soft sleeper fare is SGD207.

Singapore - Beijing - Lhasa

There are many daily flights from Singapore to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) or Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), the flight time is about 6 hours. The fare is about SGD417-530.

On arrival, you can take a flight or train to Tibet. There are 2 direct flights per day from Beijing Capital International Airport to Lhasa and the flight time is about 4 hours. The airfare is about SGD417-623. The direct train Z21 departs from Beijing to Lhasa at 19:52 every day and arrives at Lhasa at 11:36 on the third day, covering a distance of 3,757 kilometers and taking about 40 hours. The soft sleeper fare is SGD233.

Singapore - Shanghai - Lhasa

There are many flights from Singapore to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and you have a variety of choices. The flight time is about 5 hours and the airfare is about SGD189-530.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, you can take a flight or train to Tibet. There are 2 direct flights daily from Shanghai to Lhasa with a stopover in Xi'an, the flight time is about 8.5 hours, or in Chengdu, the flight time is about 7 hours. Airfare is about SGD284-530. The direct train Z164 from Shanghai to Lhasa departs at 18:33 every day and arrives at Lhasa at 15:05 on the third day, covering more than 4,300 kilometers and taking about 45 hours. The soft sleeper fare is SGD257.

Singapore - Kunming- Lhasa

There is a daily direct flight from Singapore to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), the flight time is about 4 hours and the one-way economy class fare is about SGD225-947. On arrival, you can only choose to fly from Kunming to Lhasa. There are several direct flights from Kunming to Lhasa every day and the flight time is about three hours. Fares are around SGD376, with airfares as low as SGD113 during the low season.

Singapore - Guangzhou - Lhasa

There are 7 daily direct flights from Singapore to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), with a flight time of about 4 hours. One-way economy class fares are approximately SGD152-SGD172.

From Guangzhou, there are 1-2 daily direct flights to Lhasa with a stopover in Chongqing or Diqing, with a total duration of about 6 hours. One-way economy class fares are approximately SGD284-SGD567. The direct train to Lhasa, Z264 departs at 09:15 daily(peak season) and arrives in Lhasa at 14:17 on the third day, covering a distance of 4,980 kilometers and taking about 53 hours, making it the longest train route to Lhasa. The soft sleeper fare is SGD302.

Via Nepal to Tibet

There are also direct flights from Singapore to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Nepal, with a flight time of about 5 hours. Flying from Nepal to Tibet is also a very popular option. Trains from Kathmandu to Tibet are not yet available.

Kathmandu is the only country with direct flights to Lhasa. Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are available three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the airfare is around SGD397. The flight time is short, about 1.5 hours. During the flight, you may have the opportunity to view the Himalayas from the airplane window.

Or travel overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa instead of flying. You can enjoy breathtaking sights, Himalayan peaks, magnificent Buddhist monasteries and sacred mountains, lakes, etc. along the Friendship Highway.

Documents to Enter Tibet

For Singaporean travelers, a Tibet Travel Permit is indispensable for you to enter Tibet, which requires the scans of your China visa and passport. What’s more, foreign travelers are not allowed to travel independently in Tibet, and it means that you need to travel on an organized tour arranged by a local Tibet travel agency.

Entering Tibet via Mainland China

According to the China visa-free policy for Singapore citizens, you can enter China for 30 days without a visa for business travel, sightseeing, and visiting friends and relatives. In this case, you just need a passport scan to entrust your Tibet agency to apply for your Tibet travel permit.

Entering Tibet via Nepal

Due to the China visa-free policy for Singaporean citizens, you don't have to apply for your China Group Visa till 31 December 2025.

In general, all foreign visitors including Singaporeans from Nepal coming directly to Tibet need to apply for a Chinese group visa in Kathmandu. The group visa requires an invitation letter from Tibet and more importantly, 4 participants need to apply together. It takes 3 working days to apply for the group visa and then you can travel to Tibet.

What to See

Finally, you’ll arrive in this remote and mysterious land. Our Tibetan guides and drivers will take you sightseeing and exploring its religion and cultural traditions. In the 1300-year-old Lhasa, you won’t miss the Potala Palace, Drepung Temple, and Barkhor Street. To extend your journey, you can visit YamdrokTso, Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, and many other breathtaking scenic sites. You will witness lofty mountains, countless devoted pilgrims and ancient Tibetan monasteries. >>See more about Tibet attractions

In addition to the regular itinerary, you can also explore Nyingchi, which is an attractive destination for Singapore travelers, with stunning landscapes, lush forests, and mountainous scenery. Attractions in Nyingchi are famous for natural beauty, such as Draksumtso Lake, Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, Midui Glacier, etc.

Notes on Traveling to Tibet from Singapore

Traveling to Tibet from Singapore requires special attention to altitude sickness as there is a huge difference in altitude between the two regions. As Singapore is located at sea level, it is highly recommended that you spend at least one night in a Chinese city as a buffer before traveling to Tibet. For example, you can fly to Chengdu (500 meters above sea level) and rest for 1-2 days. When you arrive in Lhasa (3,650 meters above sea level), please refrain from any sightseeing activities on the day of arrival to acclimatize. In addition, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol will help you acclimatize to the high altitude.

On the other hand, travelers are advised to take out personal travel insurance in Singapore before traveling to Tibet, which can cover trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, and flight changes. A reliable travel insurance plan is essential to deal with any unexpected high-altitude issues.

Conclusion

Singaporean travelers can explore Tibet’s unique high-altitude landscapes and vibrant Buddhist culture through China or Nepal, amd each option offers a distinct experience to enjoy the journey and acclimatize. To make your unforgettable tour in Tibet, you can start planning your Tibet trip and contact us now!, we’ll guarantee you a once-in-a-lifetime journey.