Flying to Tibet is a popular choice among tourists as it is faster and more convenient. Beyond Lhasa Gonggar Airport, the major gateway to Tibet, there are four other important airports across the plateau, including one near Mount Everest and the lowest airport in Nyingchi.

In this guide, we will walk you through the five major airports in Tibet, each playing a key role in different parts of the region, and offer essential tips for flying to and from Tibet. Read on for inspiration for your next Tibet flight journey!

Lhasa Gonggar Airport (3570 meters): The Major Airport for Flights to Tibet

Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Tibet, serving as the primary gateway to the plateau. Located about 60 kilometers southwest of Lhasa, it sits in Jiazhulin Town, Gonggar County of Shannan Prefecture. At an altitude of about 3570 meters, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is one of the highest airport in the world.

As the first stop for most tourists entering Tibet, Lhasa Gonggar Airport receives both international and domestic flights. You can take a direct daily flight to Lhasa from many major cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou, etc. While there are also direct international flights to Lhasa from Nepal or even Singapore at present.

Domestic Flights to Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Route	Airlines	Duration	Daily Frequency	Price from
Beijing-Lhasa	Air China, Tibet Airlines	4h 15m	3	$165
Shanghai-Lhasa	China Eastern Airlines, Tibet Airlines	7h 10m	2	$171
Chengdu-Lhasa	Sichuan Airlines, Air China, Tibet Airlines, Air China	2h 10m	23	$107
Chongqing-Lhasa	Sichuan Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, West Air, Tibet Airlines	2h 40m	13	$123
Xi’an-Lhasa	Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Tibet Airlines	3h 5m	10	$150
Guangzhou-Lhasa	China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines	5h 55m	2	$125
Xining-Lhasa	Sichuan Airlines, Tibet Airlines	2h 10m	4	$160
Kunming-Lhasa	China Eastern, Tibet Airlines	2h 40m	5	$179

International Flights to Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Route	Flight No.	Airlines	Duration	Frequency
Kathmandu-Lhasa	H9774	Himalaya Airlines	1h 15m	Mon, Wed, Fri
Singapore-Lhasa	PN6426	West Air	10h 25m	Tues, Thur, Sat (Seasonal)

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, it is very convenient to transfer from the airport to downtown, whether by taxi or shuttle bus. For tourists who book your Tibet tour with us, we offer free shuttle service to ensure a smooth transfer. The journey takes only about 1 hour, and offers the stunning scenery of Yarlung Tsangpo River along the way.

Join our classic Lhasa tour for a smooth travel experience.

Shigatse Peace Airport (3782 meters): The Gateway to Tibet Everest Base Camp

Located about 43 kilometers from Shigatse, the second-largest city of Tibet, Shigatse Peace Airport is the closet airport to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. At an altitude of 3782 meters, it is slightly higher than Lhasa Gonggar Airport. For tourists wishing to reach the Mount Everest region quickly, the airport offers relatively convenient access.

Currently, Shigatse Peace Airport only offers domestic flights. You can take direct flights from Chengdu, Chongqing and Xi’an, all of which are well-connected to other domestic cities and international destinations. While these flights normally are more frequent during the peak season of Tibet Everest Base Camp tour (April to October), it is suggested to book your flight in advance to secure your tickets.

Flights to Shigatse Peace Airport

Route	Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airlines	Frequency	Price
Chengdu to Shigatse	06:35 – 09:10	TV9976	Tibet Airlines	Every Day	From $158
Chongqing to Shigatse	06:10 – 09:00	PN6449	West Air	Every Day	From $114
Xi’an to Shigatse	06:40 – 10:10	TV6059	Tibetan Airlines	Every Day	From $137

From Shigatse Peace Airport, reaching Tibet Everest Base Camp is straightforward. The journey takes about 7-8 hours, following flat G318 Highway and then some winding roads. For a smooth travel experience, it is recommended to book your tour with us to enjoy comfortable vehicle service with experienced local drivers.

Our Tibet EBC tour ensures a hassle-free travel experience.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport (2949 meters): The Lowest Airport in Tibet

Nyingchi Mainling Airport is located about 50 kilometers from Nyingchi city in the southeast of Tibet. It is the lowest airport on the plateau, with an altitude of 2949 meters. If you are worried about the altitude sickness, it is a good idea to fly to Nyingchi Mainling Airport for a gradual adaption.

Renowned for its lush landscape, Nyingchi offers different views compared to other parts of Tibet. Here, you can visit amazing Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, mighty Mount Nnamjagbarwa, as well as appreciate beautiful peach blossoms in spring. With a milder climate, Nyingchi is also a year-round destination.

Currently, you can take direct flights to Nyingchi from several cities in mainland China, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Xi’an and Guangzhou. However, flight schedules to Nyingchi are greatly influenced by the season and weather, so it is recommended to contact us for real-time information before booking your flight.

Flights to Nyingchi Mainling Airport

Route	Airlines	Duration	Frequency	Price
Chengdu to Nyingchi	Air China, Sichuan Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Sichuan Airlines	2h 15m	4 Per Day	From $126
Chongqing to Nyingchi	West Air, Tibetan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines	2h 40m	3 Per Day	From $90
Beijing to Nyingchi	Air China	3h 55m	Every Day	From $126
Xi’an to Nyingchi	Sichuan Airlines	3h	Every Day	From $147
Guangzhou to Nyingchi	Southern Airlines	4h	Mon, Fri	From $284

Upon arrival at Nyingchi Airport, you can use our free airport pickup service if you book your Nyingchi Tibet tour with us. This ensures a smooth and worry-free transfer to downtown. Besides, we can also arrange a private vehicle for you to travel from Nyingchi to Lhasa, if you have further travel plans.

Ngari Gunsa Airport (4274 meters): The Closest Airport to Mount Kailash

Ngari Gunsa Airport (NGQ) is an important aerial gateway to western Tibet, located in Gunsa village, Shiquanhe Town of Ngari Prefecture. It is the nearest airport to the sacred Mount Kailash, which is revered by four religions and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year.

At present, there are direct flights to Ngari Gunsa Airport from three domestic cities: Lhasa, Kashgar and Urumqi. If you are leaving from other major cities in mainland China, you can first fly to one of these cities and then transfer to Ngari. Also, it is a good idea to take connecting flights via Chengdu or Xi’an, which are closer to Ngari and offer convenient transfers.

Flights to Ngari Gunsa Airport

Route	Airlines	Duration	Frequency	Price
Lhasa to Ngari	Tibet Airlines	2h	4 Per Day	From $439
Kashgar to Ngari	China Eastern Airlines, Lucky Airlines	1h 35m	Tue, Fri	From $193
Urumqi to Ngari	Lucky Airlines	4h 15m	Fri	From $356

Covering a distance of about 250 km, the journey from Ngari Gunsa Airport to Mount Kailash is not complicated, though there is no shuttle bus available. For international tourists, we can help you arrange a convenient private transfer. It takes about 5 hours to drive to Darchen, the village at the foot of Mount Kailash and the starting point of Mount Kailash Kora.

Join our Mount Kailash tour for a seamless journey.

Chamdo Bangda Airport (4334 meters): The Highest Airport in Tibet

Chamdo Bangda Airport is the highest airport in Tibet, located in the eastern part of the region, with an elevation of 4334 meters. Sitting on the famous Bangda Grassland, the airport is about 130 kilometers from Chamdo City. This less-traveled area of Tibet offers rugged landscape and ancient temples.

Currently, there are several direct flights connecting Chamdo Bangda Airport with cities like Chengdu, Chongqing and Lhasa. However, since the area’s weather is unpredictable, flights to Chamdo always face delays or cancellations. So it is a good idea to fly to a nearby airport, such as Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Nyingchi Airport and then continue your journey to Chamdo.

Flights to Chamdo Bangda Airport

Route	Airlines	Duration	Frequency	Price
Chengdu to Chamdo	Tibet Airlines	1.5h	4 Per Day	From $200
Chongqing to Chamdo	China Eastern Airlines, Lucky Airlines	2h	2 Per Day	From $180
Lhasa to Chamdo	Lucky Airlines	1h	2 Per Day	From $250

Insider Tips for Flying to and from Tibet

1. Obtain Travel Permits: For taking a flight to Tibet, you should prepare at least a Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit. If you fly to Ngari, you will need additional permits, like Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Entry Permit. We can help you obtain all the necessary Tibet travel documents as long as you book your Tibet tour with us.

2. Prevent Altitude Sickness: Flying to Tibet means a rapid shift to high altitude, and this may result in altitude sickness symptoms. It is recommended to have enough rest upon arrival, avoid strenuous activities, drink plenty of water during the first few days. If conditions permit, choose to fly to the lower Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Nyingchi Mainling Airport for better acclimatization.

3. Booking in Advance: It is recommended to book your flights to Tibet in advance to secure better dates and prices. During the peak travel season from April to October, flight prices can be higher. Booking in advance helps you to select a more cost-effective flight.

Conclusion

The five airports in Tibet are important gateways to explore this vast and mysterious land. Whether you are traveling to Lhasa for the deep Tibetan religious culture, venturing to Everest Base Camp for the awe-inspiring summit views, or making a pilgrimage to the holy Mount Kailash, you can find a convenient route via these airports.

As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experience, we are here to make your flight journey to Tibet smooth and worry-free. We can help obtain the necessary permits, book your flights, and arrange your whole trip. Feel free to contact us or book your Tibet tour with us today!