How to Get to Tibet from Germany: Best Routes by Train, Flight and More
Although there are no direct flights from Germany to Tibet, reaching the Roof of the World is easier than you might think. You can fly directly from Germany to popular gateway cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, or even Kathmandu. From these cities, it’s easy to continue your journey to Tibet - whether by flight, train or overland.
Even better, German passport holders can now enjoy a 15-day visa-free stay in China, making travel to Tibet more convenient than ever. Check out this ultimate guide on how to get to Tibet from Germany and start planning your dream Tibet trip today!
How Far is Tibet from Germany? Is There a Direct Flight?
Germany is located in central Europe, while Tibet lies on the Tibetan Plateau in East Asia. The distance between Germany and Tibet is roughly 7,000 kilometers as the crow flies, depending on your departure city.
Currently, there are no direct international flights from any German city to Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet. So you need to transit through cities in mainland China or Nepal, which offer direct trains, flights or overland routes to Lhasa.
It is convenient to take a direct flight from major German cities like Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin to Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Guangzhou. From there, you can take a domestic flight or train to Tibet. Or, you can fly to Kathmandu from Germany, and then travel overland to Lhasa via Gyirong border.
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Germany to Tibet via Beijing: The Most Popular Route
Beijing is one of the most popular gateway cities to reach Tibet, and also has the most frequent flight connections to Germany. As the capital of China, Beijing also allows you to explore many world-famous landmarks, like the Great Wall, The Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.
At present, you can fly directly to Beijing from Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. Flights from Frankfurt to Beijing depart twice daily and take about 9 hours and 20 minutes. Flights from Munich also depart twice per day, taking about 10 hours. From Berlin, daily flights are available, with a flight time of about 9 hours.
Once in Beijing, you have two main options to reach Lhasa: by train or flight. The non-stop flight from Beijing to Lhasa departs three times per day, respectively at 7:40 am, 1:15 pm, and 2:55 pm. Operated by Tibet Airlines and Air China, these flights take about 4 hours and 15 minutes to reach Tibet.
The second option is to take the famous Qinghai-Tibet train. The train from Beijing to Lhasa departs daily at 19:53 pm from Beijing West Railway Station. It takes about 40 hours, passing through scenic landscapes of vast grassland, snow-capped mountains along the way.
Beijing boasts many famous attractions such as the Forbidden City.
Germany to Tibet via Shanghai: Easy Access via Modern Metropolis
Shanghai is also a popular choice for tourists heading to Tibet from Germany. As China’s most modern and dynamic metropolis, Shanghai is well-connected, with daily flights from both Frankfurt and Munich. It’s also a charming city where you can experience a blend of traditional cultural attractions and futuristic sights.
Flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai operate three times a day, with non-stop journeys taking between 10 hours 45 minutes and 12 hours. Meanwhile, there are two daily flights from Munich to Shanghai, each taking about 11 hours and 30 minutes.
From Shanghai, you can either fly to Lhasa or take the train. Flights from Shanghai to Lhasa depart once or twice daily and take about 7 hours and 40 minutes, usually with a stopover in Xi’an or Chengdu. Alternatively, the train from Shanghai to Lhasa departs daily at 18:33 and takes around 45 hours, offering a scenic journey from eastern China to the western Tibetan Plateau.
One thing that needs to be noted is that Shanghai has two airports: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. So, when flying from Germany to Tibet via Shanghai, be sure to double-check your arrival and departure airport to avoid any confusion.
Getting from Germany to Tibet via Shanghai is also convenient.
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Germany to Tibet via Chengdu: Frequent Connecting Flights to Lhasa
Chengdu, located in the southwest of China and close to Lhasa, has become an increasingly popular gateway to Tibet in recent years. The city offers numerous direct flights to Lhasa and is also connected to a growing number of international destinations, including Germany.
Currently, you can take a direct flight to Chengdu from Frankfurt, which departs twice per day. The flight takes about 10 hours to reach Chengdu Tianqu International Airport. Also, there are connecting flights from Germany to Chengdu with one or two stopovers, typically taking between 16 and 30 hours.
From Chengdu, the most popular option to reach Lhasa is by air. There are over 20 direct flights from Chengdu to Lhasa every day, ensuring you a flexible choice on your schedule planning. These flights take only about 2 hours, making them one of the fastest ways to get to Tibet.
Besides, you can take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa, which departs every other day and takes around 34.5 hours. For adventurous tourists, there are also overland route from Chengdu to Lhasa, following the renowned G318 Highway. The journey takes you across various breathtaking landscape from western Sichuan to eastern Tibet.
Chengdu is one of the most popular gateways to Tibet from Germany.
Germany to Tibet via Guangzhou: Convenient Transfer via South China
Guangzhou is another important gateway to Tibet. As a major southern port city of China, it offers convenient international connections. From Germany, you can fly directly to Guangzhou from Frankfurt. The flight operates daily and takes approximately 11 hours and 25 minutes.
Once in Guangzhou, you can choose to take a train or flight to Lhasa, Tibet. For a convenient and time-saving journey, the flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa is the best choice. Departing twice daily, the flight takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes, with a short stop in either Chongqing or Diqing.
If you are interested in the scenic landscapes along Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you can take the train from Guangzhou to Lhasa. The train departs every morning at 9:15 and takes about 53 hours to reach Tibet. For such as long train ride, it is recommended to choose a soft sleeper berth to ensure a more comfortable onboard experience.
Guangzhou offers both train and flights to Lhasa.
Germany to Tibet via Kathmandu: Travel across the Himalayas
Located neighboring to Tibet, Nepal is always a popular entry point to Tibet, with both flight and overland routes available to the region. For tourists from European countries, including Germany, there are also more chances to find cost-effective flights to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
To travel from Germany to Nepal, you can take a connecting flight via cities such as Doha, Dubai, Delhi and Istanbul. Depending on your departure city and chosen airline, flights from Germany to Kathmandu usually take about 12 hours to 14 hours with one stop.
When traveling from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you have two options: taking a direct flight or overland across Gyirong border. The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa departs four times a week, respectively on Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday and Friday. Taking about 1.5 hours, the flight also offers stunning aerial views of Mount Everest and the Himalayas on clear days.
The overland route from Kathmandu to Lhasa, on the other hand, gives you the rare chance to travel across the breathtaking Tibetan Plateau. The journey usually takes about 8 days, following the scenic Friendship Highway. You will visit some of the most highlighted destinations in Tibet, including the Tibet Everest Base Camp, Shigatse and Yamdrok Lake, before reaching Lhasa.
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What Documents to Prepare for Visiting Tibet from Germany? Chinese Visa Free Now
The good news is that for German tourists, you don’t need to obtain a Chinese Visa to enter China at present, based on the current policy. You can stay for up to 15 days within China, including the Tibetan Autonomous Region, without a visa. So, you simply need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet.
As for the Tibet Travel Permit, we can help you to obtain it smoothly and easily. Just send the copies of your valid passport to us, and we will handle the rest of the procedures on your behalf. It takes about 8 to 9 working days to process the permit, so make sure to contact us in advance before your tour departure.
If you plan to visit additional remote areas such as Mount Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, extra permits like the Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Permit will be needed as well. No worries - we will take care of all these Tibet travel documents for you when you book your Tibet tour with us.
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Conclusion
There are many convenient ways to get from Germany to Tibet, although there are no direct flights available. You can first fly to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou or Kathmandu, via direct or connecting flights. Then from these cities, you can choose to travel to Lhasa by direct flight, scenic Tibet train or adventurous overland trip.
As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experience, we can help you ensure a smooth journey from Germany to Tibet. We guarantee the necessary travel documents including Tibet Travel Permit, and help you secure your train or flight ticket to Lhasa. Feel free to contact us or book your tour with us now to start a worry-free journey to Tibet!
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