Kathmandu Lhasa Flight Brief Facts
Kathmandu is the only foreign city which directly connects with Tibet by flights. With short distance and fly duration, numerous travelers choose to fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu. This is considered one of the most beautiful air routes in the world flying over Mount Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,536m), Lhotse and other Himalayan peaks.
Distance: 375 miles (603.5 km)
Flying Duration: 1.5 hours
Major Airline: Sichuan Airlines
Frequency: 1 flight every other day
Flight Type: nonstop flights
Airports: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) – Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA)
Why Take Flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu
1. Nepal and Tibet share some common, especially in the beautiful Himalayan scenery and pious belief of Buddhism. A Nepal Tibet tour offers you good channel to acquaint with the two wonderful lands both.
2. Nepal is the only foreign country directly connected with Tibet, China by flight, although there are over 20 cities in China operating flights to Tibet.
3. Flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa is most time-saving and cost-effective. Since Nepal borders Tibet in the north with the natural boundary – the Himalayan Range, the air travel from Kathmandu to Tibet is only 1.5 hours short, while it needs about 2.5 hours from Chengdu, 3 hours form Chongqing, 3 hours from Xian, 4.5 hours from Beijing etc.
4. With a long history of over 1,200 years, Kathmandu is an amazing destination retained many brilliant cultural and artistic heritages. Unique atmosphere can be found everything, in religous temples overflowing with marigolds and courtyards, on local’s faces, from the distinctive architectures and customs, etc.
Kathmandu Lhasa Flights Schedules
Non-stop Flight: By now, Sichuan Airline offers the only direct flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa every other day (on each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).
Connecting Flight: Air China and Eastern Airlines have daily connected flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa. The former has transfer in Chengdu, while the latter has multiple layover in Kunming and Lijiang. In Summer peak season, Southern Airlines also operate connected flights irregularly and air travel is as long as almost a full day.
Check the following Kathmandu Lhasa flight schedules to choose from a suitable one.
| Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Type | Frequency | Plane |
| 3U8720 Sichuan Airlines | 11:30 Tribhuvan Airport | 15:05 Gonggar Airport | 1h 20m | SM-W-F- | non-stop Flight | Airbus A319 |
| CA438+CA4405 Air China | 10:40 Tribhuvan Airport | 08:20 (2nd day) Gonggar Airport | 19h 25m | –T-T-S | connecting flight transfer in Chengdu | Airbus A319 |
| MU758+MU5939 Eastern Airlines | 17:25 Tribhuvan Airport | 12:25 (2nd day) Gonggar Airport | 16h 45m | SMTWTFS | connecting flight transer in Kunming stopover in Diqing | Airbus A319 |
| Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Type | Frequency | Plane |
| 3U8719 Sichuan Airlines | 10:55 Gonggar Airport | 10:30 Tribhuvan Airport | 1h 50m | SM-W-F- | non-stop Flight | Airbus A319 |
| CA4111+CA437 Air China | 16:10 Gonggar Airport | 09:40 (2nd day) Tribhuvan Airport | 19h 45m | –T-T-S | connecting flight transfer in Chengdu | Airbus A319 |
| MU5828+MU757 Eastern Airlines | 17:40 Gonggar Airport | 16:25 (2nd day) Tribhuvan Airport | 25 h | SMTWTFS | connecting flight transer in Kunming | Airbus A319 |
Important Notice:
1) The departure time and arrival time are on local time and the time difference between Nepal and China is 2 hours and 15 minutes;
2) Above flights schedules are only for reference, and please contact us to catch up on the latest information;
3) If you travel from Nepal to Tibet with group less than 5 members, you’re recommended to ly to Chengdu from Kathmandu firstf and then go to Tibet from Chengdu, because the must-have Group Visa for Nepal Tibet Tour accept application of groups of at least 5 tourists only.
About Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA: KTM, ICAO: VNKT) is the biggest airport and only international airport serving Nepal. As As an important portal for international travelers, the airport mainly links Nepal with some countries in Asia and world other places. It is a vital air hub for several Nepalese airlines as well.
Kathmandu Airport is not very big, but here you can feel classical Nepalese style from the architectures and staff costume. Inside the airport, you can find airport shuttle bus to downtown hotels, shops, restaurants, currency exchange and other necessary facilities and service. It has one domestic terminal and one international terminal. You need to go to international terminal to board the airplane to Lhasa.
International Flights to Kathmandu
So far, travelers can take directflights to Kathmandu from following destinations:
1) Europe (Istanbul)
2) Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,Doha)
3) East Asia (Hong Kong, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa in China, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Saipan, Yangon, Siem Reap, Manila)
4) South Asia (Paro, Dhaka, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Pollak)
5) Southeast Asia (Muscat, Colombo)
6) Other regions: If you want to travel to Kathmandu from other cities, you could make a transfer at Hong Kong, Doha, Delhi, Mumbai, Istanbul or Dubai.
Domestic Flights to Kathmandu
When in Nepal, travelers can take nonstop flights to Kathmandu from following destinations: Bhadrapur, Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Dhangarhi, Janakpur, Nepalganj, Pokhara, Simara and Tumling Tar etc.
Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport Location & Transportation:
Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport is located about 6km east of city center of Kathmandu. Thus, it’s quite convenient to transfer to downtown, for accommodation and sightseeing.
There are three shuttle bus routes connecting Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport with the city center, and one line goes to the Thamel. The shuttle buses operate from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm each day. In the domestic and international terminal, you can also find taxi, which is more recommended if you travel with big luggage or suitcase. It takes about half an hour from the airport to Thamel. Remember to bargain before taking a cab, and night fare is higher than daytime.
