Nepal is now the only nation with global air links to Tibet, for being Tibet’s nearest neighbor. Taking a Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is absolutely a good option for you which 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.
Overview of Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight
The only terminal that runs flights to and from Lhasa is the Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. If you are traveling in a group, please book your Kathmandu to Lhasa flight together since you will share a document called China Group Visa.
In the past, two airlines offered non-stop flights. Generally, one-way costs USD 400 per individual. It ordinarily takes 90 minutes for a flight distance of 600km. And now, the flights have not yet fully resumed. There are direct flights available between Kathmandu and Lhasa on Mon/Wed/Fri per week till March 2025. After that, direct flights are available on Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri per week from April to October. For other days, you may need to transit through Chengdu. In that case, you’d better apply for a China visa in advance.
There’s no train available between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Or you can opt for an overland tour that is a 1,300km journey to Lhasa via Gyirong Port, which typically takes 3 days. If you want a quicker and more convenient way, go for the flights.
Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight Schedule and Price
If you don’t wanna transfer to other cities, taking direct flights is best for you. Flying from Tribhuvan International Airport, the sole international airport in Nepal, to Lhasa Gonggar Airport will take about one and a half hours. Presently, there are three flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa per week, and vice versa. Besides, there are also some connecting flights between Lhasa and Kathmandu, with a stopover in Chengdu, Kunming, or Chongqing. Due to the large number of passengers in the peak tourism season (from July to September), booking flight tickets in advance is necessary. As soon as you arrive at the Lhasa Gonnggar Airport, your tour guide, private vehicle, and driver will greet you. Then, you can start your Tibet travel according to your pre-arranged itinerary.
Himalayan Airlines is the only flight operator at present. They execute three flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday per week till the end of March. From 1 April 2025, they will execute four flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday per week till the end of October.
Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight Schedule 2025
| Flight No. | Departure—Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H9-774(Jan to Mar) | 08:00–12:15 KTM – LXA | 2h | Every alternate weekday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) | USD486 Economy Class |
| H9-774(Apr to Oct) | 08:30–12:05 KTM – LXA | 1h 20m | Four weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) | USD486 Economy Class |
Lhasa to Kathmandu Flight Schedule 2025
| Flight No. | Departure—Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H9-775(Jan to Mar) | 13:00–12:15 LXA – KTM | 1h 40m | Every alternate weekday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) | USD339 Economy Class |
| H9-775(Apr to Oct) | 13:15–12:35 LXA – KTM | 1h 35m | Consecutive midweek days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) | USD339 Economy Class |
Discounted Flight Tickets from Kathmandu to Lhasa
In fact, flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu is not very cheap. But how can one get a discounted flight ticket from Kathmandu to Lhasa? You’d better know about the following two ways. The first way is to plan a Tibet tour during the slack tourist season, which will take place from November to April. During the low season, the price of the air ticket will be lower than the peak tourist season. The second way is to book your air ticket in advance. According to the survey, travelers who book the air ticket tens of days in advance can enjoy a favorable price compared to those who book the air ticket close to departure.
Necessary Documents
The document you are required to enter Tibet with is different from that for mainland China. Instead of a normal Chinese Tourist Visa, you need to apply for a Group Chinese Tourist Visa, which requires an invitation letter from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. But now the Group Chinese Visa can’t be issued to the solo traveler for the stipulation of participants of 4. And it takes 3 working days to process your China group visa application. So you need to have 4 travelers going together and stay 3 working days in Kathmandu for your group visa.
In addition, all travelers should get Tibet Entry Permits to enter Tibet and check in the hotel. If you sign up with a Travel Agency, they will take care of both your invitation letter and Tibet Entry Permit.
Getting to the Kathmandu Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport is about six kilometers away from Kathmandu. With normal traffic, it takes 15-20 min. by road. It is advisable to leave with a margin of at least an hour to reach the airport in case of unexpected incidents. There are two means of transportation that you can utilize. One is to take the shuttle bus. You can find it about 300 meters from the terminal outside of the airport. But it’s not recommended unless you have very little luggage.
Then there are local taxis, which are barely managed and can be hailed from the street. They’re less comfortable, run without a meter and you should probably settle on a price beforehand. You can always bargain with them. As there are no adequately regulated prices or meters calculating the price, you might get charged hefty amounts. Usually, a taxi from the airport to Kathmandu’s city center costs about 200 rupees. At night, the cost of a taxi is more expensive than that during the day, and it is generally one-third or two-thirds more expensive. However, local taxi drivers are extremely cheerful and outgoing. Though not many of them speak English, they try their best to be chatty and interactive during the trip.
Conclusion
To sum up, you must arrange in advance to travel from Kathmandu to Tibet or Mainland China to Tibet. As is known to us, traveling by air is the most convenient and comfortable way of getting from Kathmandu to Tibet, while the procedure of booking air tickets is not always straightforward. Choosing a reliable local travel agency is definitely a good idea by which you can ensure booking the tickets easily and quickly. Great Tibet Tour, one of the leading local travel agencies in Tibet, may meet your demand. We can provide you with excellent touring service and ticket booking as well as all supporting documents.