Travel to Tibet from United Kingdom

Travelers from the United Kingdom often ask the question, “How to travel to Tibet from my hometown ?” As a professional Tibet-based tour operator, we are fully competent to help you get to Tibet. Meanwhile, we could provide you with detailed information about the way to Tibet from London as well as the necessary documents you need, which could make it easier to enter this autonomous region with no worries.

How to Travel from the U.K. to Tibet?

In general, there are two options for tourists from the U.K. to Tibet, flying to Kathmandu(the capital city of Nepal) or mainland China first. Currently, the only international flights to Tibet are from Kathmandu, or else, you can fly to a major city of China first, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc. then take domestic flights to Tibet. There's one point you may need to know beforehand, flying to Kathmandu then to Lhasa(the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region) may take extra 3 working days for applying for your China Group Visa. So if you don't have any plans to stay in Kathmandu, Nepal, you may consider flying to mainland China first. We will talk about the China Group Visa later in this article.

Arrive in Tibet through Nepal from the U.K.

There is a great choice for British tourists to get to Tibet as there's a direct flight from London to Kathmandu. This route deserves your consideration because it is really fast and convenient, only taking 12 hours to reach Kathmandu, which takes around  £370. And then you could select 2 ways to arrive in Tibet, by flight or road.

From Kathmandu to Lhasa by Flight

After you land in the first exotic area, two direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are available for your choice, operated by Air China and Sichuan Airline respectively. Only 1 hour and 25 minutes are taken for this Kathmandu-Lhasa flight trip. Besides, the best part of it is, you could take a look at the magnificent Mt. Everest, appreciating the charm of the world’s highest peak. However, the flight almost sells at the full price which is around £290. If you desire fast arrival in Lhasa, it will be beneficial for you to take this flight tour. Moreover, please choose the right seats by the window, as you will view the magnificent Mt. Everest on the plane!

From Kathmandu to Lhasa by Land

Besides the flight trip, you could enjoy the great overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa as well. This overland tour is highly recommended by tourists for a fascinating experience along the friendship highway, and viewing both sides of the Himalayas. On the Nepal side, you will feel the warm moist air as well as lush plants; while on the Tibet side, You will feel the opposite and view the landscape of Mt. Everest, Karola Glacier, and Yamdrok Tso Lake, as well as Tibetan monasteries such as Tashilumpo Monastery, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street along the way.

Arrive in Tibet through China from the U.K.

Alternatively, you also can come to Tibet through China by flight or by railroad. Firstly, you need to take a flight from the U.K. to the gateway cities of China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and so on. This is a good way for tourists who desire to travel to some of the Chinese major cities. You could visit these cities for various attractions before you fly to Lhasa, or take a Tibet train journey. Whatever you plan to do, we can provide a one-stop service by arranging all your tours in China and Tibet.

From the U.K. to China by Flights

Some flights from London to Chinese gateway cities are listed below. Prices here are only for your reference and could vary a lot due to the different seasons and airlines you select.

From Chinese Cities to Tibet by Flights

There are some flights that start from Chinese major cities to Lhasa including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hongkong, and Chengdu. Please note that the duration and prices are listed here for your reference only.

From Chinese Cities to Tibet by Trains

A Tibet railway trip is also an option for visitors, and actually, it could be more fun to take a train tour than to take flights. About your train Tour, there are three classes of tickets for your choice, namely, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. From the top to the end, the cost of train tickets decreases a lot. And, of course, the standard is quite different, you may check inside Tibet Train to know more details. However, if you purchase a soft-sleeper ticket, you could stay more comfortable in a cozy cabin instead of sitting in a hard-seat carriage with a bunch of passengers around you.

So if you are not on a tight budget, or you are taking the elderly or children with you, the soft-sleeper ticket is your first choice. Here is a chart for you containing the duration and approximate costs of the Tibet train tour from some Chinese major cities. You can check it out and find one that fits your plan the most.

(*Please note that there are many combinations of trains that go to Lhasa from Chengdu, not only one listed in the chart. See more schedule of Tibet trains.)

Tibet Travel Permits Required for British Tourists

Tibet is an autonomous region with special regulations for tourists who intend to enter it. Here are some necessary documents you need to know beforehand.

Tibet Travel Permit

Tibet Travel Permit is required for every foreign passport holder. Generally, this permit is applied by the local travel agencies in Tibet. As the top Tibet-based tour operator, Great Tibet Tour team has arranged thousands of applications for this kind of permit. We are experienced and qualified enough to help you obtain it, as well as arrange a great trip. For applying for Tibet Travel Permit, we need the scan of your valid Chinese Visa page and passport page after booking with us. Please send us these documents at least 20 days in advance before you start your Tibet journey.

Group Tourist Visa

China Group Tourist Visa is required for tourists who have plans to enter Tibet from Nepal. As the local tour agency, we can also help you get this document by sending a tourist invitation letter from Tibet. With the invitation letter, your passport and 2 photos(the same size as the photo in your passport but with white background), you can apply it from the China Embassy in Kathmandu. It often takes 3 working days for applications. After you arrive in Kathmandu, our partner would assist you to accomplish this application as soon as possible before you start a magical journey on this ancient land.

Final Words

As above, we have introduced the specific flights and trains from Britain to Nepal or China, and some permits you require. Now it is your time to make a plan related to the itinerary, budget, and transportation. We are sincerely looking forward to your arrival, and joining in our great Tibet Tour!