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How to Travel to Tibet in 2024

So Tibet had been on my bucket list for years, and back in my super broke backpacking days I tried, and failed, to enter twice. Learning how to travel to Tibet was proving a little tricky! It’s not as simple as just booking a flight.

The Chinese were becoming progressively more strict on the paperwork and criteria required to enter Tiber – visas, permits, tour guides. It was a headache, and turned out to be impossible. So it was time to try again, but this time to do it properly,  and with my awesome mum by my side. Visas, flights, trains, permits and a tour guide. Here’s how to do it:

HOW TO VISIT TIBET

Simple.

1. Chinese Visa.
2. Tibet Permit. Itinerary.
3. You need an agent.
4. (Feel free to use the guys I used below)

Chinese tour company

Basically you HAVE to use a Chinese tour company, there is literally no way around it. You MUST HAVE a Chinese Visa, a Tibetan Permit, a tour guide. No discussion, no independent travel. Now you know that, this is how it’s actually done.

Chinese Visa

First, you need to organise a Chinese visa yourself, don’t mention Tibet on that application. You need to visit the Chinese embassy in whatever country you happen to be in, I went to the embassy in Bangkok, Thailand and my mum used the embassy in London, UK. This takes three or four days, you need to give them your itinerary, your hotel bookings in mainland China, even if you won’t use them, and your plan. You can book a hostel on hostelworld.com or a hotel on expedia.com and then cancel with a full refund after you get your visa. Ssssh, don’t tell anyone.

Tibet permits

Next, you need to choose the best tour company for Tibet. They will organise your actual tour in Tibet, your permits and if you’re lucky they’ll help with travel to and from Lhasa, Tibet too. I used a company called Tibettravel.org, and they were awesome. I dealt with a superstar Chinese girl called Susan, ask for her if you’re going to Tibet, she replies to all your crazy emails, helps with trains, visas, permits  etc Super patient, and I really owe her for her help.

There are a million tour companies offering tours, so really be careful with who you work with. And prices can start to get pretty crazy. My guys, Tibet Travel, have tours starting at around 400USD which is the cheapest I found. That included all hotels, guides, breakfast, transfers etc, but not getting to Tibet, check that out below.

Personally I did a six day tour, I’ll chat about that in another blog post but for me that was a perfect amount of time. The minimum you can do is three days, personally I’d say that’s not quite enough.

HOW TO GET TO TIBET

Right, hard core travel time. Can you fly in and out of Lhasa, Tibet? Yes, you can. Should you? Absolutely NOT.

The best, best, best way to experience getting in and out of Tibet is this:

Take the 42 hour train from Chengdu to Lhasa (or Beijing):

You can take a seat, hard sleeper or soft sleeper, I choose the third option which is a four bed cabin, pretty nice and is $180 – I know it sounds long, but it’s amazing. The highest train journey in the world, right through the himalayas, so high in fact they pump oxygen into the cabins because it gets to around 5000m/15000ft. The views will blow your mind, this is real travel, and if my ancient old mum can do it, so can you 😛

Fly back to Chengdu from Lhasa:

After your time in Tibet is up, you’re unlikely to want another forty hours or so on a train. Fly to Chengdu, then connect to wherever you need. From Chengdu I flew ‘home’ to Thailand, my mum flew to Ireland, they have flights everywhere. The flights from Lhasa to Chengdu normally run around $150 to $250.

NOTE: Susan, the superstar at Tibet Travel organised both my train tickets and flights for a tiny commission, so so so much easier.

WHAT TO DO IN TIBET

There is so much to do in Tibet, amazing views, the spectacular Himalayas, the iconic Potala Palace. Here are some pics to get you excited, i’ll write about what I got up to later this week. But you need to check out Lhasa, a few lakes and some monasteries further afield. All breathtaking.

WHAT TO DO IN TIBET

Traveling to Tibet is like stepping into another world. The mountains, the monasteries, the endless skies — it’s all a bit surreal. If you’re planning your adventure in 2024 and wondering how to travel to Tibet, you’ll need to know what to do once you’re there. Spoiler: there’s a lot. Let’s break it down into things to see, experiences you can’t miss, how long you should stay, and when’s the best time to visit.

Things to See in Tibet

1. Potala Palace in Lhasa

The Potala Palace is the icon of Tibet. Perched high above Lhasa, it’s not just stunning, it’s historic. Built as a winter palace for the Dalai Lama, it’s now a museum and UNESCO site. Pro tip: get there early to avoid the crowds and bring your camera because those panoramic views are next-level.

2. Jokhang Temple

Just a short walk from the Potala Palace, you’ll find the Jokhang Temple. This is Tibet’s holiest site, and you’ll see pilgrims prostrating themselves in devotion. The energy here is powerful, and if you’re keen on understanding Tibetan Buddhism, this is where to start.

3. Everest Base Camp (North Side)

Yep, you can visit Everest from Tibet. The north base camp is accessible by car, and the journey there is an adventure in itself. The views? Ridiculous. If you’re wondering how to travel to Tibet for the ultimate bucket list experience, this is it.

4. Namtso Lake

One of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, Namtso Lake is a slice of heaven. It’s a bit of a trek from Lhasa, but if you’re into breathtaking landscapes and quiet moments with nature, it’s worth the effort. Stay for the night to catch the stars reflecting on the lake.

5. Yamdrok Lake

If you’re short on time, Yamdrok Lake is closer to Lhasa and just as stunning. With its turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it’s like a postcard brought to life. Stop for some yak cheese while you’re there — it’s an acquired taste but very Tibetan.

How many days in Tibet?

If you’re tackling how to travel to Tibet, give yourself ideally 7 to 10 days. This gives you enough time to acclimatize to the altitude in Lhasa (trust me, it’s no joke) and see the major highlights without rushing. If you’re venturing further out to Everest or Mount Kailash, tack on a few more days.

Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit Tibet are April to June and September to October. The weather’s pleasant, the skies are clear, and most of the region is accessible. July and August are okay, but they’re rainy, and some roads might get tricky. Winter (November to March) is quieter and cheaper, but be prepared for bone-chilling temperatures.

Festivals in Tibet

If you’re lucky enough to visit during a festival, you’re in for a treat. The Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year) in February is the big one, with celebrations lasting days. Then there’s the Saga Dawa Festival in May or June, marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death — a triple whammy of spirituality. If you’re there in summer, catch the Shoton Festival, where monks unveil massive thangkas (Buddhist paintings) and yak races entertain the crowds.

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Tibet

From jaw-dropping landscapes to spiritual experiences, Tibet is more than just a trip — it’s a journey into another way of life. Whether you’re marveling at the Potala Palace or braving the heights of Everest Base Camp, you’ll find yourself coming back to the same thought: “How is this place even real?”

For more adventure inspiration, check out my experience exploring Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. It’s a different kind of mountain magic but just as epic.

FAQs on how to travel to Tibet?

1. Do I need a permit to visit Tibet?

Yes, you do. Even if you know how to travel to Tibet, you can’t just show up. You’ll need a Tibet Travel Permit, which your tour operator will arrange for you.

2. Can I travel independently in Tibet?

Nope. All foreigners must travel with a guide, even if you know all about how to travel to Tibet. Don’t worry, though — the guides are super knowledgeable and make the experience even better.

3. What’s the altitude like in Tibet?

High. Lhasa sits at 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), so altitude sickness is a real possibility. Acclimatize properly and take it slow, especially when trekking or heading to higher altitudes.

4. Is it safe to travel to Tibet?

Yes, it’s safe, but it’s remote. Be prepared for long drives, limited Wi-Fi, and some cultural differences. Knowing how to travel to Tibet helps, but going with an open mind is key.

If Tibet’s on your radar, now’s the time to make it happen. And while you’re planning, read up on how I trekked to Bhutan and why Mongolia’s nomadic life is worth the trip. They’re perfect companions to your Tibetan adventure.

NOTE: For more background on Tibetan culture, here’s a great piece from (normally awful) The Guardian to dive deeper.

IS TIBET EXPENSIVE?

The tours can run from reasonable prices to crazy prices. My advice would be to go for a more reasonably priced tour. Do you really want to stay in Sheraton in Lhasa? Stay in the cool Tibetan hotels, with Tibetan staff, such a better experience. I was delighted with the hotels from Tibet Travel, and after the tour fee is paid you don’t really spend much more. Lunches and dinners can range from five bucks for a local place, where I always eat, to maybe twenty bucks in a swankier place.

All in all, no it’s not expensive and you don’t spend much money after you’ve paid for your flight and train in, and the tour price. Pretty epic really.

Ok, that’s a quick run down about how to actually get to Tibet, how to work out the permits and visas. My next post will be about just how amazing Tibet actually is. One of the best places I’ve ever been.