How to Travel from Nepal to Tibet: Kathmandu-Lhasa Flights, Overland Route & Tibet Travel Permit

Travelers often dream of visiting Tibet after exploring Nepal—but feel confused about how to go from Nepal to Tibet: Kathmandu-Lhasa Flights, whether to fly or go overland, and especially how to get the Tibet Travel Permit.

This guide explains:

• All the ways to travel from Nepal to Tibet
• How the Kathmandu-Lhasa flights works (direct flights, time, price range)
• How to enter Tibet overland via Gyirong
• Exactly how the Tibet Travel Permit is arranged in each case
• Which Lhasa‑start tours you can book to secure your permit and make the most of your time in Tibet

Experience Tibet is a Lhasa‑based Tibetan agency with 15+ years’ expertise. We are fully authorized to design your itinerary, arrange your permits, and run small‑group or private tours starting from Lhasa and across Tibet.

Main Ways to Travel from Nepal to Tibet

From Nepal, you have two practical routes into the Tibet Autonomous Region:

1. Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (direct international flight)
2. Travel overland from Kathmandu to Tibet via the Gyirong (Kyirong) border

Both options require a pre‑arranged Tibet tour with a licensed agency and a valid Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). Independent travel is not allowed for foreign visitors; you must join a guided trip organized by an authorized Tibet travel agency.

1. Kathmandu–Lhasa Flight (Fastest & Easiest)

The Kathmandu–Lhasa flight is the only direct international air route to Lhasa. It’s ideal if you:

• Have limited time
• Want to focus on Lhasa and central Tibet
• Prefer a quick, straightforward connection from Nepal to Tibet

Once you arrive in Lhasa, you can start a variety of 4–8 day tours that explore the cultural heart of Tibet, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, and more.

2. Overland Route via Gyirong (Scenic & Gradual)

The overland route from Kathmandu to Tibet via the Gyirong border is best if you:

• Want more Himalayan scenery and local villages
• Prefer gradual acclimatization to the plateau
• Plan to visit Everest Base Camp (Tibet), Shigatse, or other high‑altitude sites

Many classic itineraries combine Gyirong, Shigatse, Yamdrok Lake and Lhasa. After reaching Lhasa, you can continue on other routes deeper into Tibet or back towards mainland China.

Kathmandu-Lhasa Flights: Direct Flights, Flight Time & Price Range

Are There Direct Kathmandu-Lhasa Flights?

Yes. There are direct flights from Kathmandu (KTM) to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). This route is:

• The only international flight connection directly into Lhasa
• Operated by regional airlines (for example, Himalayan Airlines and Chinese carriers, depending on the season and year)
• Typically scheduled a few times per week, with more frequency in the main travel season (spring to autumn)

Because schedules can change, we always double‑check current flight days and times when arranging your tour and coordinating your permit.

Kathmandu–Lhasa Flight Time

The flight is relatively short:

• Approximate flight duration: ~1.5 hours (90 minutes)

Even though the flight is short, remember you are flying to a high altitude (Lhasa is at about 3,650 m). Some travelers may feel mild altitude symptoms upon arrival; our itineraries starting in Lhasa are designed with an easier first day to help you acclimatize, including time to rest at your hotel on arrival.

Kathmandu–Lhasa Flight Price Range

Flight prices can vary by:

• Season (high vs. low season)
• Demand and availability
• How early you book

As a general guideline:

• Recent one‑way fares often fall around 2,800–3,000 RMB from Kathmandu to Lhasa (roughly 380–420 USD), but this is only an approximate range and can change at any time.

When you book a tour with Experience Tibet, our team can:

• Check current flight availability and fares for your travel dates
• Advise on the best flight time to match your tour start in Lhasa
• Help you with reservations as part of your package (we do not sell flights, only a Tibet tour)

How Experience Tibet Helps with Kathmandu–Lhasa Flight Bookings

Experience Tibet is primarily a Tibet tour operator, but we understand that arranging the flight from Nepal to Tibet is a key part of your trip.

For travelers who book a Tibet tour with us (starting in Lhasa or combining Lhasa with other regions), we:

• Check the latest Kathmandu–Lhasa flight schedule for your dates
• Help you reserve the flight ticket, so the timing fits your permit approval and tour start
• Make sure your Tibet Travel Permit is issued on time and correctly coordinated with your flight
• Update you on any changes in airline policies or schedules that might affect your travel

This way, you don’t need to juggle flights, permits, and itinerary on your own—our team coordinates everything behind the scenes, so you can focus on the experience.

Tibet Travel Permit for Nepal–Tibet Entry

To enter the Tibet Autonomous Region, every foreign traveler must have a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You cannot board a flight or cross the land border into Tibet without a valid TTP.

Important points:

• The TTP cannot be applied for by individuals; it must be handled by a licensed Tibet travel agency based on a confirmed itinerary, hotels, and guide services.
• “Permit‑only” services are not allowed. The permit is always linked to a real tour booking.
• Additional permits (such as Aliens’ Travel Permit or Military Permit) are needed for certain regions like Everest, Mt. Kailash, and border or military zones, and are arranged by your agency as part of your trip.

Experience Tibet is fully authorized to:

• Design your custom or small‑group itinerary and confirm hotel & guide bookings (a requirement for TTP)
• Prepare and submit your Tibet Travel Permit application directly to the Tibet Tourism Bureau
• Arrange any extra permits required for your route (Everest, Kailash, border zones, etc.)
• Deliver your original TTP or provide digital scans where accepted by airlines or stations

Below, we explain how the permit works specifically for Kathmandu–Lhasa flights and overland entry via Gyirong.

Tibet Travel Permit for Kathmandu-Lhasa Flights

If you choose to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, here is how we handle your Tibet Travel Permit step by step:

1. Book Your Tibet Tour with Us

• • Choose from our short Lhasa city breaks (4–5 days), classic cultural routes like Lhasa–Shigatse, or extended itineraries:

• • 4-Day Lhasa Holy City Tour​ From US$486
  • 5-Day Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake Tour
  • 5-Day Lhasa & Ganden Monastery Small Group Tour
  • 6-Day Lhasa to Shigatse Golden Route Tour
  • 7-Day Tibet to Nepal Overland Tour
  • 8-Day Everest Base Camp Tour
  • 8-Day Himalayan Adventure from Nepal to Tibet (Lhasa)
  • 10-Day Lhasa, Everest, Namtso Tour​
  • 12-Day Indian Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar
  • 15-Day Mt Kailash Trekking Tour with Everest Base Camp | Permits Included

• • We confirm your itinerary, hotels, and guide, which we must submit with your permit application.

1. We Apply for Your Tibet Travel Permit
   • You send us a passport scan (and China visa, if required) as part of the official application.
   • We submit your details and itinerary to the Tibet Tourism Bureau and wait for approval.
2. We Send You a Digital Copy of the Permit for Boarding
   • Once your permit is issued, we scan the Tibet Travel Permit and send the digital copy to you by email or messaging.
   • You print this copy and use it to check in and board your Kathmandu–Lhasa flight. The airline staff will ask to see your Tibet permit.
3. Our Guide Keeps the Original and Meets You in Lhasa
   • Our local Tibetan guide keeps the original physical copy of your Tibet Travel Permit.
   • On your arrival day, your guide will meet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport with the original permit and a friendly welcome.
   • You’ll then transfer to your hotel in Lhasa, where you can rest and acclimatize before beginning your city sightseeing the next day.

This process ensures that:

• You can board your flight smoothly with the printed digital copy.
• You are fully covered with the original permit on arrival in Tibet.
• You can start your Lhasa‑based tour immediately, without worrying about paperwork.

Tibet Travel Permit for Overland Entry via Gyirong Border

If you prefer to travel overland from Kathmandu to Tibet via the Gyirong border, the process is similar but with important differences in how the permit is delivered.

1. Book an Overland Nepal–Tibet Tour with Us
   • Typical itineraries start in Kathmandu, cross the border at Gyirong, and then continue inside Tibet to places like Shigatse, Yamdrok Lake, and Lhasa, often with options to visit Everest Base Camp (Tibet).
   • We design your full route, confirm hotels and transport, and assign an experienced Tibetan guide.
2. We Apply for Your Tibet Travel Permit & Extra Permits
   • For overland routes and especially for areas like Everest, we arrange not only the TTP, but also any needed Aliens’ Travel Permit, and possibly Military Permits for certain zones.
   • As always, all permits are linked to your confirmed itinerary and guide services.
3. Our Guide Keeps the Original Permit
   • Unlike airline boarding in China, at the land border you must have the original TTP.
   • Our guide will carry the original Tibet Travel Permit with them.
4. Guide Meets You at the Gyirong Border with the Original Permit
   • You travel from Kathmandu to the border on the Nepal side.
   • Our Tibetan guide will wait for you at the Gyirong (Kyirong) border crossing with the original permit in hand.
   • After the formalities, you enter Tibet together and continue your overland tour towards Shigatse, Lhasa or other destinations.

This makes the border crossing much smoother and stress‑free, since you don’t need to worry about where your permit is or how to present it—your guide manages these formalities for you.

Overland from Kathmandu to Tibet via Gyirong: Scenic Alternative to Flying

While the Kathmandu-Lhasa flights is the quickest way to travel from Nepal to Tibet, the overland route via Gyirong is an unforgettable Himalayan journey.

Typical features of an overland trip:

• Drive from Kathmandu to the Gyirong border, passing through lush valleys and mountain landscapes.
• Cross into Tibet, where the scenery gradually changes to the high plateau.
• Possible visits to sites like:
  • Everest Base Camp (Tibet) – one of the most iconic mountain viewpoints in the world
  • Old Tingri and high‑altitude passes with panoramic views
  • Shigatse and Gyantse, with important monasteries and historical sites
  • Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most beautiful sacred lakes
• Finish in Lhasa, where you can join or continue a Lhasa‑based tour exploring the city’s spiritual and cultural highlights.

Overland advantages compared to flying:

• Better acclimatization: you ascend more gradually, which many travelers find easier on the body.
• More varied scenery: from lowland Nepal to the Himalayan foothills and the Tibetan plateau.
• Opportunity to connect Nepal, Everest, and Lhasa in a single continuous journey.

If you have more time and want a richer overland experience, this route is an excellent choice.

Lhasa‑Start Tours You Can Book to Get Your Tibet Travel Permit

To obtain your Tibet Travel Permit legally, you must book a Tibet tour with a licensed agency. Most of Experience Tibet’s classic itineraries start in Lhasa, making them ideal for travelers who:

• Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, or
• Travel overland and finish in Lhasa, then continue exploring Tibet

When you join any of these tours, we arrange your Tibet Travel Permit for you at no extra permit‑only fee—permits are simply part of a complete legal tour package.

Here are some examples of Lhasa‑based tours you can choose:

Short Lhasa City Breaks (4–5 Days)

Perfect for first‑time visitors or those combining Tibet with other Asian destinations:

• 4‑Day Lhasa Essentials / Lhasa Holy City Tour
  • Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
  • Key monasteries such as Sera and Drepung
  • Free time to acclimatize and enjoy the old town atmosphere
  • Comfortable 3–4* hotels, breakfasts, some shared meals, airport transfers, and of course your Tibet Travel Permit
• 5‑Day Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake Tour
  • Adds a day trip to Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most photogenic turquoise lakes
  • Combines Lhasa’s cultural highlights with a taste of the high plateau landscape

Classic Cultural Route: Lhasa to Shigatse (6 Days)

• 6‑Day Lhasa to Shigatse Golden Route Tour
  • Explore Lhasa’s main sites, then drive via Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse to Shigatse
  • Visit important monasteries, fortress ruins, and river valleys
  • Ideal cultural overview of central Tibet, with moderate altitude changes and scenic driving

Extended Itineraries (Everest, Kailash & Beyond)

If you’re planning a longer journey after arriving in Lhasa:

• 8‑Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour (via Shigatse and Gyantse) – a classic route focusing on the must‑see sites and Everest.
• Longer pilgrim and adventure itineraries (for example, combining Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest, or Mt. Kailash) offered by many Tibet specialists.

All properly arranged Tibet tours include:

• Tibet Travel Permit and other necessary permits
• Lhasa airport/train transfers
• Accommodation in selected 3–4* hotels or guesthouses
• Local Tibetan guide, transport, breakfasts, and essentials like bottled water

By booking one of these tours, you automatically meet all the requirements to get your Tibet Travel Permit and travel legally and safely in Tibet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling from Nepal to Tibet

1. Can I fly directly from Kathmandu to Lhasa?

Yes. There are direct flights from Kathmandu (KTM) to Lhasa (LXA). This route is the only direct international air link to Lhasa and usually operates several times per week, especially in peak season.

2. How much does the Kathmandu–Lhasa flight cost?

Fares vary by season and availability. In recent seasons, one‑way prices have often been around 2,800–3,000 RMB, but this is just a general range and not a fixed rate.
When you book your Tibet tour with Experience Tibet, we can check current prices and advise on the best options for your travel dates.

3. Do I need a Tibet Travel Permit to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa?

Yes. You cannot board a flight to Lhasa without a valid Tibet Travel Permit (TTP).

If you book your tour with us:

• We apply for the permit on your behalf.
• Once issued, we send a digital copy for you to print and show at check‑in.
• Our guide brings the original permit and meets you at Lhasa airport.

4. Can I visit Tibet from Nepal without booking a tour with an agency?

No. Foreign travelers cannot travel independently in the Tibet Autonomous Region. You must join a tour organized by a licensed Tibet travel agency, which includes your permits, guide, transport, and pre‑arranged itinerary.

Experience Tibet is one of these authorized agencies, with 15+ years’ expertise in building legal, safe, and culturally rich itineraries.

5. Is it better to fly or go overland from Kathmandu to Tibet?

It depends on your priorities:

• Fly Kathmandu–Lhasa if you want:
  • The fastest connection (about 1.5 hours)
  • To focus mainly on Lhasa and central Tibet
  • A simpler logistics chain
• Go overland via Gyirong if you prefer:
  • More scenery and local encounters
  • Gradual acclimatization to high altitude
  • A chance to see Everest Base Camp, Shigatse, and Yamdrok Lake en route

Many travelers choose to fly in to Lhasa, then leave Tibet overland, or vice versa.

6. Can Experience Tibet help me book the Kathmandu–Lhasa flight?

Yes—if you book a Tibet tour with us. Our team:

• Advises on the best flight timing
• Helps you reserve the flight
• Coordinates the Tibet Travel Permit so everything aligns smoothly

We don’t sell standalone air tickets, but we are happy to manage flight arrangements as part of your complete Nepal–Tibet travel plan.

How to Start Planning Your Nepal–Tibet Trip

If you’re ready to travel from Nepal to Tibet—by Kathmandu-Lhasa flights or overland via Gyirong—we can help you choose the best route and tour.

To get started:

1. Contact our Travel Experts – Share your dates, nationality, and preferred route (flight or overland) so we can advise on visas, permits, and ideal itineraries.
2. Choose a Lhasa‑start tour – Select from our 4–5 day Lhasa city breaks, the 6‑day Lhasa–Shigatse Golden Route, or longer itineraries including Everest and beyond:

• 4-Day Lhasa Holy City Tour​ From US$486
• 5-Day Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake Tour
• 5-Day Lhasa & Ganden Monastery Small Group Tour
• 6-Day Lhasa to Shigatse Golden Route Tour
• 7-Day Tibet to Nepal Overland Tour
• 8-Day Everest Base Camp Tour
• 8-Day Himalayan Adventure from Nepal to Tibet (Lhasa)
• 10-Day Lhasa, Everest, Namtso Tour​
• 12-Day Indian Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar
• 15-Day Mt Kailash Trekking Tour with Everest Base Camp | Permits Included

1. Let us handle the rest – We’ll organize your Tibet Travel Permit, any additional permits, local guides, hotels, transfers, and help you with the Kathmandu–Lhasa flight if you wish.

With a well‑planned tour and expert support, traveling from Nepal to Tibet becomes simple, legal, and stress‑free—so you can focus on the magic of Lhasa, the vast Tibetan plateau, and some of the most inspiring landscapes on earth.