As the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu is the only foreign hub which connects with Tibet by flights.
About 6 kilometers east from the downtown center, Tribhuvan International Airport is the only airport in Kathmandu. Airport shuttle bus and local taxi are available.
There are direct flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa everyday, operated by Air China and Sichuan Airlines. The flying duration is about 1.5 hours and you’ll have a chance to enjoy great views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and other Himalayan peaks.
The special note is you’ll need a Group Visa issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to board the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Please feel free to contact us for more information on the travel from Nepal to Tibet and Group Visa.
| Flight No. | Airport & Time | Duration & Stopover | Frequency | Plane Model | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3U8720 Sichuan Airlines |
KTM(12:00)-LXA(15:35) | 1h20m Nonstop |
Not everyday | Airbus A319 | |
| CA408 Air China |
KTM(13:20)-LXA(17:00) | 1h25m Nonstop |
Not everyday | Airbus A319 |
| Flight No. | Airport & Time | Duration & Stopover | Frequency | Plane Model | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3U8719 Sichuan Airlines |
LXA(11:35)-KTM(11:00) | 1h40m Nonstop |
Not everyday | Airbus A319 | |
| CA407 Air China |
LXA(12:40)-KTM(12:20) | 1h55m Nonstop |
Not everyday | Airbus A319 |
Please note:
1.The departure time and arrival time are on local time and Nepal is 2 hours and 15 minutes behind China.
2.Due to the seasonal difference, the flight schedules above are for reference only, please contact us for the latest details.
Flight Type: non-stop flights
Flying Distance: 375 miles (603.5km)
Altitude Difference: 1350m (Kathmandu) - 3650m (Lhasa)
Airport Information: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) - Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA)
The flights from Nepal to Tibet fly from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, which is the only international airport in Nepal. The airport is just 6km from Kathmandu city area and it takes about 15 minutes and 7 dollars by taxi to get there. If you like to take a public bus, you need to walk about 15 minutes to Ratna Park area since there is no bus to the airport in Thamel. It costs only 0.3 dollars by bus.
Yes, you can have the great view of the Himalaya Mountains if you sit on the left side of the aircraft when you fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and right side of the airplane when you fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu. This might be awesome than an Everest flight journey in Nepal.
Flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa is different with flying from any cities in China. There is no need to apply for a China visa in your home country. Even if you have a valid China Visa already, you can not get on the flight to Lhasa in Kathmandu. According to a special treaty between China and Nepal, foreign tourists entering Tibet from Nepal have to apply for a group China Visa in Kathmandu. This application takes at least 3 working days. Our experienced Nepal partner can help you with that. You are not required to go to the embassy in person but only need to contact our Nepal partner upon arrival and give them your passport and pay the application fee. Then they will send back your passport together with the China visa in due date. With the group visa and your passport, you can check in to the flight to Tibet. Upon arrival in Lhasa airport, your local Tibetan guide holding your Tibet Permit will be there to meet you.
In order to get the best price, it is good to avoid the peak season and book the tickets early for discounted price. The high season for Tibet tour is from April to October and the flights are always expensive unless you seize the opportunity of special offer. You are suggested to compare the prices through the booking platforms such as Expedia, Booking, Ctrip, CheapOair, etc.
Passengers taking flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa have to obey the policy of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. For checked baggage, the total dimensions (length + width + height, including wheels and handles) of each piece must not exceed 158cm. First and Business Class adult and child passengers may check in two items of baggage for free (3 items for Sichuan Airlines), each weighing up to 32kg (23kg for Sichuan Airlines). Economy Class passengers travelling may check in one piece of baggage for free weighing up to 23kg. Even for infant passengers without seats, it is allowed to take a free checked-in luggage of no more than 10kg as well as a folding baby stroller.
As for carry-on luggage, each first-class passenger can bring two pieces of carry-on baggage, with each weighing no more than eight 8kg (5kg for Sichuan Airlines). Each business and economy lass passenger can bring one piece of carry-on baggage that weighs no more than 5kg. The linear dimensions of each piece cannot exceed 20x40x55cm.
Yes, definitely. Your Tibetan guide holding your Tibet Permit will wait you in Lhasa airport. It will be different if you fly from any other cities in China. Flying from China to Tibet, you will need the original permit to get onboard while you only need the China visa applied in Kathmandu to check into the flight if you fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
No, there is no need to send you the Tibet Permit if you enter Tibet from Nepal no matter via flight or van. The China Visa application in Kathmandu will be enough.
No, this is not possible. Flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu, you need to apply for your China Visa in Nepal. This will take at least 3 working days. To save time, you are suggested to fly from India to Kunming or other cities in China and then connect to Lhasa. If so, you need to have your China visa ready in advance.
