Tibet Transportation

  Lhasa, Tibet
by MikeySoft
 
  • Lhasa, Tibet
      Lhasa, Tibet
    by MikeySoft
  • Lhasa, Tibet
      Lhasa, Tibet
    by MikeySoft
  • Lhasa, Tibet
      Lhasa, Tibet
    by MikeySoft
  • bucky transport to EBC
      bucky transport to EBC
    by prikje
  •   Transportation
    by prikje
 
Plenty of choices
agoda.com Save up to 75%, Don't miss! Live support, Instant confirmation.
Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Sponsored Links

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Friendship Highway

by Maria81

The Friendship Highway is the main road link in Tibet, so whether you hire a Land Cruiser, hitch-hike on the back of a pilgrim truck or use public transport (such as it is) you're probably going to spend 90% of your journey on this single road. The road is in a surprisingly good condition and given there is little traffic the fact that it's single lane each way should not delay you at all.Starting in Lhasa, the Friendship Highway takes in all of the most visited sights in Tibet (or they are 20-30km off it) on the way to Kathmandu. The only real exception is the Everest Base Camp, which is reached by the Everest Access Road (a minor road splitting off from the Friendship Highway in Tingri).As things stand, it will most likely be your driver who will have to think of this but if you do drive, keep in mind that petrol stations are few and far between.

Tip Photo
Land Cruiser

by Maria81

Given the state of the roads and the requirement for foreign tourists to travel around Tibet with a guide and a host of travel permits, the most practical way of seeing the country is by a hired Land Cruiser (any 4x4 will do of course, but Land Cruisers seem to be a national institution in this part of the world). It is, unfortunately, also the most expensive way to get around, but given that a larger Land Cruiser can comfortably fit 4 prople the cost, when shared, can still be tolerable.The Land Cruiser also allows for more freedom to visit out of the way sites (some monasteries, for example, are visited only by pilgrim trucks) and considerably speeds up your travel, given the still rudimentary network of public transport in Tibet. Also, such a car (or any 4x4) will make it possible to visit the Everest Base Camp as there is no public transport going there beyond Tingri/Shegar, and the...

Tip Photo
By Plane to Lhasa

by Maria81

Although there are a number of driving tours now arranged whereby you drive into Tibet from either China or Tibet, and the train is operational, the most popular way for tourists remains catching a flight to Lhasa. From abroad: the only international flight serving Lhasa at the moment is the Air China flight to/from Kathmandu (despite this, there is an international arrivals/departures terminal in Lhasa!)From China: there are connections from a number of cities, with the most flights being from Xi'An and Chengdu - we've caught a flight from Shanghai (it did involve change of planes in Xi'An, but as the flight number was the same the our Tibet permit still said Shanghai as port of entry). The major domestic routes into Lhasa are run by Air China and China SoutheasternThings to keep in mind:Lhasa is one of the world's highest airports, so flights can be affected by bad weather (happened to...

Tip Photo
World's Highest Airport, Chamdo/Pomda/Bangda Tibet

by MikeySoft

We tried to use this airport because the road to Lhasa was taken out by a rock slide when we attempted to drive overland to Lhasa. It was several days drive back to Zhongdan or Chengdu.I am told that the Chamdo/Pomda/Bangda airport in Tibet is the world highest airport at 4334 meters, about 14300 feet. We arrived in the snow and fog before dark. We were told the airport has no landing aids so is a VFR airport. Flights were canceled for days because of the weather and would probably be canceled tomorrow. We were also told that sometimes flights are canceled for over a month! So, don't rely on using this airport or you could get stuck.Please rate this and my other tips when you find them interesting, useful, or like the photos

Tip Photo
Tibet Overland

by MikeySoft

I attempted drive overland across Eastern Tibet to Lhasa in May/June 2006 but had to turn back because a rock slide took out a road. They were building new roads so it should be better now.Arrangements for a vehicle and driver could be made at the TTB (Tibetan Tourist Board) in Zhongdian back then. I don't know about now, with this year's earthquake and political things in Tibet. I also heard the train tracks were recently damage by a more recent earth quake. I believe you can fly into Lhasa now. Back then, I not only needed a permit for Lhasa, but also permits for the overland part. There were talks about removing some of these requirements but the political events earlier this year may have prevented this. I have some photos on my Tibet and Lhasa pages. My third travel log on the Tibet pages talks about some of the problems I had. But I have more to post and have not yet added the part...

Tip Photo
From Lhasa to Tingri

by sanluipal

The route between the capital and a village near Mount Everest, Tingri, is about 600km. If you think to do it in one day, go with very patient... We went with our driver and our guide in a jeep, and I didn´t see other way to do it!Throughout the route there are periodic inspections of Chinese police, in order to monitor the speed. It appears that there were many deaths on the roads, so they implemented a minimum time per route. For example, do 45 km in 45 m. If the driver does not comply with, will pay a fine. So the journey becomes very slow, implying stops for reaching the minimum time.Clear that driving is not the best and prepare for moments of emotion. Crossings, double lines at or above the left, are mere rules, never being satisfied. On dual carriageways as of today (one in each direction), is constantly being in the left lane and pass up to three cars in parallel simultaneously....

Tip Photo
Kathmandu-Lhasa by air or road

by vistet

I´ve made the drive in to Lhasa , and a number of high altitude runs in the Indian Himalayas : flying in is a lot better for your body. Sleeping altitude is what really matters , and Lhasa is the lowest sleeping elevation on the Ktm-Lhasa route . First night is normally spent in Nyalam which is slightly higher than Lhasa , and the the following two nights are spent between 3900-4300.Between that you do a number of passes and plateaus between 4500-5100. BTW , a news story appeared today about a bus line between Ktm and Lhasa ( http://korta.nu/ktmlhasa10 ) , but be still my heart , hopes have been dashed before.

Detailed Qinghai Tibet Railway Map

by Orangetulip

Qinghai-Tibet Railway is currently the only railroad to Tibet from other cities of China, including Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xining and Lanzhou.This railway section is famous not only for the argument and criticism around it, but also for its captivating plateau scenery.Here is the most detailed map of the Qinghai Tibet Railway that I can find online. Hope it can be helpful!(Source: http://www.tibettravelplanner.com/train/qinghai-tibet-railway.htm)

Tip Photo
Who to Book With ????

by into-thin-air

Where to book the Trip in Kathmandu ??? this is always a BIG question as there are so many travel agents in Kathmandu especially around Thamel !!My Recommendation would be to go to " Himalayan Magic Adventures ", Nermal Nakarmi who runs this Travel Agents is a Very Helpful Gentleman and I have always found him Good to " Deal " with !!!! As I have previously mentioned, I have been to Nepal three times now and in all my times there I have never found a better Travel Agent !! He will be glad to organise Everything, the Chinese visa, the Tibetan Travel Permit, all the Transportation and Guides through a link up with " Lhasa Travel " ( this will include all the accommodation and breakfasts as well as all the admission fees to Museums and Monasteries + the Potola Palace ) and the flight back to Kathmandu if required !!His prices are Very Keen, he is Honest and Trustworthy and I Personally can...

Tip Photo
Jeep tours

by Helga67

Jeep tours are a popular way of getting around Tibet or to the Nepal border. In Lhasa, there are many travel agencies that can organise your jeep tour. You just need to tell them what you want to visit and they will sort out all necessary paperwork and provide you with a 4WD, driver and guide.However, be very precise with your itinerary. Tell the travel agency about every monastery and lake you wish to visit and have them writing it down on the itinerary in order to avoid problems afterwards.After reading a lot of good reviews on the internet about the FIT at Banok Shol Hotel, we went with this travel agency for individual travellers. It is located on the innercourt (left side) of the Banok Shol Hotel in Lhasa. We only made one mistake and this was to have them book and pay our hotels as well. I wanted good hotels with private bathroom and was afraid that if they were not booked in...

Tip Photo
Getting Around Tibet

Top 3 Hotels in Tibet

Yak Hotel  Lhasa

 8 Reviews and 61 Opinions  This is a supposedly 3 star hotel but why remains a mystery. We stayed there for 2 days on our... 

 Hotels in Lhasa

Gyantse Hotel  Gyangze

 2 Reviews and 29 Opinions  The hotel's official rating is ***, which did mean it was pretty basic - and so it was (it would not... 

 Hotels in Gyangze

Kyichu Hotel (Jiqu Fandian)  Lhasa

 1 Review and 65 Opinions  I stayed at this hotel in February 2007. The beds were hard, but that's normal in China. They had... 

 Hotels in Lhasa

66 Hotels in Tibet
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Travel Highlights

The Place

Reviews and photos of Tibet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tibet sightseeing.

Experience Tibet
Transportation: Cities in Tibet
  1. Lhasa Transportation
  2. Gyangze Transportation
  3. Xigaze Transportation
  4. Samyai Transportation
  5. Rongpu Si Transportation
  6. Zhigung Transportation

More Cities in Tibet

 

Questions and Answers

YWLTP profile photo

Q:  I am planning a trip of a life time and have two years to do so… so first I want to get some ideas from seasoned travelers and... 

GrumpyDiver profile photo

A: If you want to hike or bike, Tibet (which is stunning, by the way) is probably not going to work out. The Chinese government will only issue permits for people to enter... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button

Click here for best deals for

Save Up To 50% On Hotels
ORBITZ.com Find great deals on Orbitz & pay no hotel change or cancel fees
Book Now - Pay Later!
Venere.com Best Prices & No Cancellation Fees! Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs and More!
Great Rooms. Great Rates.
Travelocity Hotel rooms at up to 50% off. 
Plenty of choices
agoda.com Save up to 75%, Don't miss! Live support, Instant confirmation.

Sponsored Links