Insider Tips for Traveling from Chengdu to Tibet

I made a rough estimate and it is true that many foreign tourists choose Chengdu as their entry city before entering Tibet. To help more and more tourists understand some specific situations is  exactly why I wrote this article.

There Are Two International Airports in Chengdu, Both of Which Have Direct Flights to Tibet

In terms of the frequency of direct flights to Lhasa, the daily number of flights at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport tends to be several more than the average of around 8 flights per day at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. No matter which airport you choose to depart from, it will take you about two hours to reach Lhasa. As of July 2026, direct flights from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Lhasa usually offer more economical options than those from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport. Although there are slight differences in the prices of air tickets, I think when making a choice, one should consider their departure time more and also take into account the geographical locations of the two airports. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is only a dozen kilometers away from the city center, but Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is about 50 kilometers away from the city center. Since boarding usually requires arriving at the airport about two hours in advance, leaving sufficient time is also a factor that needs to be considered.

Chengdu Shuangliu Airport also has an advantage: there is a daily direct flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Shigatse Peace Airport operated by Xizang airlines every day, which take about two and a half hours.

Extra Caution about Altitude Sickness Is Needed When Flying from Chengdu to Lhasa

It only takes a little over two hours to fly from Chengdu to Lhasa. However, as Chengdu is at an altitude of 500 meters and Lhasa is at 3,650 meters, the distance between them exceeds 3,000 meters. Therefore, you need to be extra cautious of the potential impact of altitude sickness. Based on your own condition, you can consider taking medicine to prevent altitude sickness one or two days before taking the plane as appropriate. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's advice. Have a good rest a few days before taking the plane. After arriving in Lhasa, smoking or drinking alcohol will only aggravate altitude sickness. It is recommended to drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day, eat more easily digestible and highly nutritious foods, avoid any vigorous activities, keep breathing steady and the rhythm slow. After gradually adapting for 1 to 2 days, you can gradually increase the amount of exercise.

The Train Directly from Chengdu to Lhasa Is Not Your Only Option

Every two days, a Z322 train departs from Chengdu to Lhasa. It departs at 8:46 p.m. and takes about 35 hours to arrive in Lhasa at 7:24 p.m. This train is the first choice for many tourists, but in fact, there are other options that can give you a different time point and a different transportation plan.

As China's railway transportation network is highly developed, you can definitely consider a transfer plan. This situation also applies when direct train tickets are sold out. You can first take a train from Chengdu to Xining, Lanzhou, Golmud or Guangyuan, and then transfer to another train from these destinations to Lhasa. This way, when you can't get a ticket or don't have a suitable travel time, you can find an alternative solution.

You Can Still Enjoy the Scenery on the Train If You Change Direction

Each train line facilitates two-way travel between two destinations. What I want to express is that if your demand and focus are on the scenery on the train, when you take the train from Lhasa to Chengdu or any other city, you can enjoy the same beautiful scenery as you can see on the train to Lhasa. It's the peak tourist season in Tibet now, and train tickets to Tibet are highly sought after. But if you change your direction, buying train tickets will become a bit easier.

A Color-Printed Tibet Travel Permit Is Feasible When Taking a Train to Tibet from Chengdu

As is known to us all, Tibet Travel Permit needs to be presented when taking any train to Tibet, and it is no exception when traveling from Chengdu. According to the current policy, you can present a color-printed Tibet Train Permit and board the train smoothly.

Conclusion

The travel services provided by our agency extend far beyond the duration of your trip. Our professional staff ensure your peace of mind and confidence from pre-sale to after-sale. We are very concerned about the transportation and route you choose to Tibet, and we are also very eager to know what we can do to help you. Everything will be done to the best of our ability.