How to Book Tibet Flight Tickets

Step 1 — Work Out Your Itinerary First

Booking early can save money, but plan your tour before you buy a flight to Lhasa. You need a Tibet Travel Permit to board the plane, and your tour company applies for it based on your tour dates. The best order is: confirm your tour, let us apply for your permit, then book your flights.

There are direct flights to Lhasa from Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Kunming, Xining, Guangzhou and other cities. Chengdu and Chongqing usually have the most flights. There is also an international flight from Kathmandu, which takes about an hour and a half.

Step 2 — Choose Your Flight

Chengdu and Chongqing have several flights a day to Lhasa, mostly in the morning. All the airlines on Tibet routes, such as Air China, Sichuan Airlines and Tibet Airlines, have long experience of flying in high mountains. Choose an early flight if you can: you arrive with more time to rest and adjust to the altitude.

Step 3 — Book at the Right Time

In our experience, booking about two to seven weeks before departure usually gives a good price. Flights in the busy season, May to October, and around Chinese holidays sell out and get expensive, so don’t leave it too late.

Booking Methods

Official Airline Websites

Air China, Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern all have English websites and apps.

Online Ticket Agencies

Trip.com, Expedia and similar sites let you compare airlines and prices in English. Make sure the name on your ticket exactly matches your passport.

At the Airport (Not Recommended)

You can buy tickets at the airport, but it is the most expensive and least convenient way. Book online instead.

Through Your Tour Company

We can book your flights to and from Lhasa together with your tour, so your flight, permit and airport pickup all match.

Altering or Cancelling Your Flight

How to Alter

Each airline and fare type has its own rules. Cheaper tickets usually cost more to change. You normally pay a fee plus any difference in price. Check the fare rules before you buy.

How to Cancel

Refund rules also depend on the fare. The cheaper the ticket, the higher the cancellation fee. Some of the cheapest fares cannot be refunded. Once you have checked in, you usually cannot cancel.

Warm Tips

Airport fees are included in the ticket price.
Children (2–11 years) usually pay a reduced fare. Infants under 2 pay a small fare but do not get their own seat.
E-tickets: you don’t need to print anything. Show your passport and your Tibet Travel Permit at check-in.
Searching for Lhasa: on Chinese websites the city is spelled “Lasa” (拉萨). Try that if “Lhasa” gives no results.