Travelling from Kolkata to Tibet is a challenging task as direct flights to Lhasa are unavailable. Although the two cities appear relatively close on the map, the nearest seaport to Tibet is Kolkata.
In the past, Kolkata ports have played a significant role in facilitating trade between Tibet and other nations, particularly given Tibet’s landlocked status. Given Kolkata’s status as the capital of British India, the relationship between Tibet and Kolkata is considered to be of great importance.
As travel between Tibet and India is prohibited, individuals seeking to travel from Kolkata to Tibet have two options. The first involves flying to Nepal and then taking a car or flight to Lhasa. The second option involves taking a flight to any major Chinese city and subsequently boarding a train or flight to Lhasa.
Travelling from Kolkata to Tibet via Nepal
Direct flights between Kolkata and Nepal are not available, but many connecting flights are offered by various budget and premium airlines. You can conveniently check the flight schedules on popular websites. There are about 9 flights operating daily between Kolkata and Kathmandu from dawn to dusk. Vistara is the primary airline that operates on this route, mostly with a stopover at New Delhi.
Kathmandu is the only country with a direct flight to Lhasa, a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa costs about US$ 300.The flight time is relatively short, the journey of 600 km takes about an hour. There are two direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, CA408 (12: 10-16:00) and 3U8720 (11:30-15: 10).
To reach Lhasa from Nepal, you can take a flight across the plateau that provides breathtaking views of Mount Everest or an overland trip in cars across the Resuo Bridge border between Rasuwagadhi Fort and Gyirong Port.
The flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa have a duration of 60 to 90 minutes with a cost of around UK£190 per person, which may vary depending on the airline. You can select from three Chinese airlines that run the flights to find the most affordable price. It is advisable to wait until you arrive in Nepal to book the flight, especially if you are travelling to Tibet with a group.
Travelling to Tibet from Kolkata via Mainland China
To reach Tibet from China, there are two modes of transportation: by aeroplane or by train. Opting for a flight allows you to board one from any of the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Kunming, Shangri-La, Xining, Nanjing, or Xiamen, and land in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The nearest city to Hong Kong that offers direct flights to Lhasa is Guangzhou, which can be easily accessed by train or flight. The cost of flights to Tibet from China ranges from UK£420 and takes between two to six hours on average.
The trip from Chengdu to Lhasa is a short one, taking just over two hours. There are typically 14 non-stop flights to Lhasa available each day.
The Train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day. The Z322 (21:37-09:55) lasted 36 hours and 18 minutes. It is recommended that tourists who need to take the train from Chengdu to Lhasa check with their travel consultant in advance if they need to book a train ticket.
Another popular choice for tourists is to travel to Tibet by train. Trains operate daily from seven gateway cities across China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Xining, Chengdu, and Chongqing. All trains from other parts of China have to pass through Xining, located in Qinghai Province, which is the starting point of the renowned Qinghai Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world. Ticket costs differ based on the city of origin, and there are various ticket classes available. It is recommended to book a sleeping compartment as the journey through the plateau is quite lengthy. From Xining, the train journey to Lhasa takes only 22 hours, while from Guangzhou, the longest trip, takes 55 hours, which means the train ride lasts for three days and two nights.
The flights from Beijing to Lhasa are available twice a day, with a flight duration of around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Trains depart from Beijing to the capital of the Tibetan plateau every day, covering a distance of approximately 3,757 km. The train journey takes about 41-42 hours to cross China, passing through six provinces. The train departs from Beijing in the evening and arrives in Lhasa in the afternoon on the third day.
I want to travel to Lhasa and China. I am based in Kolkata, India. Please advise me.
Phone: +91 7738090054/ +917021826206
Hello, You can come from Kolkata to Tibet through Nepal, There is a Direct Flight between Kathmandu to Lhasa. or you can come from Kolkata to Tibet through any other major city in China. like Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai. You just need a Chinese Visa and Tibet Permit.