How to Travel between Beijing and Lhasa

Straight line distance between Beijing and Lhasa is about 2,550km (1,585mi). The direct flight is the best choice, and it enables people to travel between in 4.5h with a full price of CNY3,260 for economy class. To enjoy higher frequency and lower prices, people may also consider making a transfer at Chengdu airport. Connecting flight takes more than 7h and CNY1,300-3,500 for Economy Class.
 
Apart from plane, one may also travel by the normal speed train to enjoy the stunning landscape all the way. It takes nearly 41h and CNY1,144 for a soft sleeper.

beijing to lhasa

How to Travel from Beijing to Lhasa

1. Fastest Beijing to Lhasa Direct Flight: 4.5h, CNY3,260 for full price economy class 

Only two flights are scheduled from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. The full price plane ticket usually costs CNY3,260 for economy class. 

Flight No. Dep. - Arr. Duration
CA4125 07:30 - 11:50 4h20min
TV9816 14:55 - 19:35 4h40min
 

2. Economic Beijing to Lhasa Normal Speed Train: 40h 40min, CNY1,144 for Soft Sleeper

There is only one direct train. Train Z21 leaves from Beijing West Railway Station at 19:55 and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 12:29 on the third day.
 
 Ticket Fare: CNY360 for a hard seat; CNY720 for a hard sleeper; CNY1,144 for a soft sleeper

See more about Beijing to Lhasa Train
 

3. Alternative Beijing to Chengdu to Lhasa Flight: at least 7h including layover, CNY1,300-3,500 for Economy Class

 Beijing to Chengdu Flight: 3h, CNY600-1,500 for Economy Class

People may leave from either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX), and get to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) in 3h. In order to save time for the later transfer, it is advised to book the flight which takes off no later than 13:30.

 Chengdu to Lhasa Flight: 2.5h, CNY700-2,000 for Economy Class

Flights departing from 6:15 to 19:00 are feasible to send people from Shuangliu Airport or Tianfu Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) in about 2.5h.

Other worth considering transfer points between Beijing and Lhasa include Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) and Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG).
 

How to Travel from Lhasa to Beijing

1. Fastest Lhasa to Beijing Direct Flight: 3h45min, CNY3,260 for full price Eeconomy class

There are 2 direct flights from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Beijing Capital Airport every day.

Flight No. Dep. - Arr. Duration
CA4126 12:55 - 16:40 3h45min
TV9815 09:50 - 13:35 3h45min
 

2. Economic Lhasa to Beijing Normal Speed Train: 40h 38min, CNY1,144 for Soft Sleeper

Train Z22 departs from Lhasa Railway Station at 15:50 and reaches Beijing West Railway Station at 08:28 on the third day. The train ticket costs CNY360 for a hard seat, CNY720 for a hard sleeper, and CNY1,144 for a soft sleeper.
 

3. Alternative Lhasa to Chengdu to Beijing Flight: at least 7h including layover, CNY1,700-3,600 for Economy Class

 Lhasa to Chengdu Flight: 2h, CNY1,100-2,100 for Economy Class

Over 60 flights depart from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport from 7:40 to 22:45. To ensure a smooth transfer, people are suggested to book the Lhasa to Chengdu flight which departs no later than 17:00.

 Chengdu to Beijing Flight: 3h, CNY600-1,500 for Economy Class

Departing from 7:30 to 22:00, there are over 100 flights flying between Chengdu and Beijing. Passengers need to take at least 1.5-hour transfer time into consideration and may arrive at either Beijing Capital Airport or Daxing Airport.

As mentioned above, one can also make the transfer at the airport in Chongqing, Kunming or Xi’an.
 


 

How to Get from Lhasa to Beijing Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City?

1. Direct or Connecting Flight + Metro or City Bus: at least 5.5-9h, CNY1,740-3,650

First, you may get from Lhasa to Beijing by plane, and then follow either of the ways below.

 If you arrive at the Capital Airport, you may take Capital Airport Express Train, transfer to metro Line 2 at the Dongzhimen stop, and finally get off at Exit A of Qianmen stop. It together needs CNY30 and 1h.

 If you arrive at the Daxing Airport, take the airport bus Beijing Railway Station Line, get off at the Chongwenmen stop, and then walk for 200 meters (219yd) to take the city bus No.8 to East Qianmen stop. It requires 2h and CNY37.

Since the departure time of airport shuttle buses is fixed, one can also take metro: take Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao, transfer to line 19 to Jishuitan, get off and transfer to line 2 to Qianmen. Take Exit A and the Tian'anmen Square is just less than 200 meters away. It takes about 1h and CNY39.

2. Normal Speed Train + City Bus: 42h, CNY1,146 for Soft Sleeper

First, you may take train Z22 and get to Beijing West Railway Station. Then, transfer to city bus No.142 or No.9 and get off at Qianmen East stop. It needs 45min and CNY2.

- Last updated on Jun. 16, 2023 by Catherine He -
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