Lhasa Transport

Traveling to Tibet, the first destination is always Lhasa. Before there are railways to Lhasa, highways was the most common access for people’s Tibet tour, as the price for flight ticket was too expensive and not it is easy for people to adept to the high altitude. The ticket for bus was much cheaper, and you could appreciate highland sceneries out of the window. However, the travel time on the way to Tibet was too long. Now the railways can access to Tibet, much shorten the travel time on the way, and become the first option of tourists.

Air 
 

Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the busiest airport in Tibet. It also has flights to Katmandu, the capital of Nepal. There are only Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xining, Kunming, etc. these main city in China has fights to Lhasa.

 

By Airport Shuttle Bus:

Take the airport shuttle bus at the gate of Civil Aviation Administration, which located at the east gate of the Potala Palace. The price is 25 yuan per person. The airport shuttle bus cost cheap and the departure and arrival time is exacter then other ways to the airport.

 

By Taxi:

You’d better agree on a price with the driver first. Usually the driver will offer 160-200 RMB. As now the tunnel to the airport opened, which shortened the distance to airport. The most appropriate price is about 160 RMB.

 

It is a great event that Tibet is accessible by train. Right now there are trains from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining to Lhasa. The train to Tibet is sight-seeing trains that you can appreciate

 

You can buy ticket at the railway station and Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region.

 

 

By taxi: the price for taxi to the station should be about 20 yuan.

By Local Bus: Bus No. 91, 302 could access to the station, just need 1 Yuan per person.

 

 

There are about 7 Long-Distance Bus Stations in Lhasa. Tourists often choose Liuwu Bus Station and East Bus Station (Xijiao Station). There are direct regular bus to some main cities and townships such as Shigatse, Tsetang, Bayi Township, etc..

 

1.       In these long distance bus stations there are also some private-operate bus, which are mainly Zhonghua Buses. Their tickets will be twice of the normal bust, but their more comfortable and faster.

2.       As the long-distance buses usually depart when there are no vacancies. If you travel to Tibet in off-season, please be patient.

 

The urban transport in Tibet is very convenient and there are several vehicles tourists could choose:

 

If you have enough time and good body, you can rent a bicycle to ride in Lhasa during your tour. In old Lhasa district, many youth hotels here offer bicycle-renting service. According to different kinds of bikes, the rent is different at about 10 to 15 yuan per day.

 

There are many Pedicabs in Lhasa. For short distance journey, pedicab is a good option. The price is about 3-5 yuan for 1to 3 km. You’d better agree on the price with the driver before you get in the pedicab.

 

Lhasa downtown is small that local bus is also a good option for your journey. The price is just 1 yuan/person.

 

Taxi is the most common vehicle tourists choose during their Lhasa tour. The starting fare of a taxi is 10 yuan (including 5km), and 2 yuan for each extra 1km.