Flights from Kunming to Lhasa and Lhasa to Kunming

 

As the capital city of Yunnan, Kunming is known as “Spring City” for its mild climate all year around. Meanwhile, neighbouring the Tibetan Plateau, Kunming also offers convenient flights to Lhasa. 

Kunming Changshui International Airport is the major airport in Kunming. At present, there are 4 flights between Kunming and Lhasa everyday, operated by Tibet Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, including two non-stop flights and two flights with a short stopover in Lijiang or Diqing. 

The special note is you’ll need a Tibet Travel Permit issued by Tibet Tourism in Lhasa to board the flight from any city in China to Tibet. Please feel free to contact us for more information on the Tibet Travel Permit.

Kunming to Lhasa Flight Schedule

Flight No.	Airport & Time	Duration & Stopover	Frequency	Plane Model	Price
3U8817 Sichuan Airlines	KMG(06:30)-LXA(10:50)	4h20m Lijiang	Everyday	Airbus A319
MU5939 Eastern Airlines	KMG(08:30)-LXA(12:45)	4h15m Shangri-La	Everyday	Boeing 737
MU5827 Eastern Airlines	KMG(12:40)-LXA(15:45)	3h05m Nonstop	Everyday	Boeing 737

Lhasa to Kunming Flight Schedule

Flight No.	Airport & Time	Duration & Stopover	Frequency	Plane Model	Price
3U8818 Sichuan Airlines	LXA(11:45)-KMG(15:40)	3h55m Lijiang	Everyday	Airbus A319
MU5940 Eastern Airlines	LXA(13:35)-KMG(17:15)	3h40m Shangri-La	Everyday	Boeing 737
MU5828 Eastern Airlines	LXA(16:45)-KMG(19:15)	2h30m Nonstop	Everyday	Boeing 737

Please note:

1. Flight 3U8817 & Flight 3U8818 have 50 minutes stopover in Lijiang; Flight MU5939 and Flight MU5940 have 40 minutes stopover in Shangri-La.

2. Due to the seasonal difference, the flight schedules above are for reference only, please contact us for the latest details.

Kunming Lhasa Flight Quick Facts

Flight Type: Nonstop & Stopover flights

Flying Distance: 1220 miles (1963km)

Altitude Difference: 1891m (Kunming) - 3650m (Lhasa)

Airport Information: Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) - Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA)

FAQs about flights from Kunming to Lhasa and Lhasa to Kunming

1. Where should I take the flight from Kunming to Lhasa?

All the flights fly from Kunming Changshui International Airport which is 25km way from city center. It has been in use since 2012, replacing the Wujiaba Airport serves as the transportation hub to southwest China. Most of the international flights to Changshui airport is from Southeast Asia and South Asia. As for now, there are only one Terminal but Terminal 2 is already under construction and will be in operation before 2020. 

2. Which is the best way from Kunming downtown to the airport?

You can take taxi, metro line or shuttle bus. Considering the time needed, metro line will be the best choice. Metro line 6 runs between airport and downtown. It costs 0.8USD and only 17 minutes one way at an interval of 15 minutes from 6:00am to 10:20pm. Taking the taxi is very convenient but needs about 12USD and 50 minutes. If you are not in a hurry and want to have a city view along the way, taking the bus will also be a nice choice. There are 6 routes to different destinations in the city area. 

3. Is there any money change service in Kunming Airport?

Yes, you can find the Travelex right at the exit of international flights on the first floor of the airport. You can have currency exchange of sixteen currencies, which are dollar, pound, euro, yen, won, Canadian dollar, Danish krone, Swedish krona, Swiss franc, Singapore dollar, Thai Baht, Macao Pataca, Hong Kong dollar, New Taiwan Currency, Australian dollar, and Norwegian krone. Please kindly note they only accept cash, but no coins at all.

4. What is needed to check into the flight from Kunming to Lhasa?

Flying from Kunming or any other cities in China to Lhasa, you need to show your passport, China visa as well as the original Tibet Permit. If you travel with friends or family but they fly into Lhasa from different city please do let us know so we can apply for separate permits for you since the entrance city on the permit has to be the same with your flight. After you get through the security check point, you do not need to show it again. Please keep the permit and give it back to our guide when you arrive in Lhasa. It is needed for the PSB application if you travel out of Lhasa. After you finish your tour, we need to return the permit back to Tibet Tourism Bureau.

5. Except Kunming, is there any nearby city I can fly to Lhasa from Yunnan?

Yes, there are also flights from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Diqing Shangri-La Airport to Lhasa. If you fly from Lijiang or Shangri-La, please inform your Tibet travel consultant early about your hotel information in these cities since the permit delivery from Lhasa to these cities takes longer time than mailing to other cities in China.

6. Should I worry about the altitude sickness if I fly from Kunming to Lhasa?

Although the altitude in Kunming is around 2000m but you might still feel a little uncomfortable because of the ascend of more than 1000 meters in Lhasa. Most tourists traveling to Tibet have some symptoms of altitude sickness such as feeling tired, drowsy, headache, etc. But you will feel better after one or two days there. It is suggested that you drink lots of water, rest a lot, walks less before you get accustomed to the altitude. But those who have heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes should consult the doctor before visiting Tibet.