Lanzhou to Lhasa Flight: How to Get to Lhasa from Lanzhou by Air

time 2026-03-03 written by Mr. Kalsang Rinchen comments Comments
directory
close Content

    As the center city of Northwest China, Lanzhou can be said to be a must-go place for traveling to the West. Due to its excellent geographical location, Lanzhou has become an important transportation hub, making it easy to travel to and from all parts of the country. It is also one of the ideal starting points for trips to Tibet. From Lanzhou to Lhasa, it is very convenient to take a daily flight and the whole journey is only 2 hours and 25 minutes. For more details, you can consult Tibet Horizon, we can provide you with a perfect and comfortable trip to Lhasa, Tibet.

    Content

    Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport

    Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport is located in the town of Zhongchuan, Lanzhou New District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, more than 75 kilometers away from the city. It is an important airport in the Northwest as well as one of the international standby airports. Zhongchuan Airport currently has two terminals in operation, T1 and T2, and T3 is scheduled to be relocated and put into operation in October 2024. T1 is mainly used for international flights, and T2 is mainly used for domestic flights.

    Airport Shuttle Bus - the most convenient way: It has 5 shuttle bus routes that provide direct access to transportation hubs, famous hotels, top shopping centers, and more. The ride time is about 70 minutes and the cost is $4-6. You can search for Lanzhou Airport Bus on the WeChat Mini program and get complete details about Lanzhou Airport Bus such as timetable, contact information, and seat reservation.

    High-speed train - the fast and commercial way: It takes only 37-45 minutes to travel from Lanzhou West Railway Station to Zhongchuan Airport by high-speed train. The price of a first class seat is $4 and a second class seat is $3.

    Taxi - not recommended: As Lanzhou city center is far away from the airport, about 60 kilometers. Taxi is priced at $28 and above and takes 60 minutes, so we don't recommend you to choose it.

    Lhasa Gonggar Airport

    Gonggar Airport in Shannanl is 97 kilometers from downtown Lhasa and connected to the city by Tibet's first highway, the Lhasa-Gonggar Airport Expressway.

    Lhasa Gonggar AirportTibet Horizon offers you a free pick-up and drop-off service.

    Lanzhou Lhasa Flights

    Compared with the Lanzhou Lhasa train departing every other day, it is more convenient and faster to take daily flights from Lanzhou to Lhasa, so you don't need to care too much about choosing the travel date.

    Lanzhou to Lhasa Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

    Currently, there is one direct flight from Lanzhou to Lhasa. It takes off from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport at 5:10 p.m. and arrives at Gonggar Airport at 7:35 p.m. every day, with a flight time of about 2 hours and 25 minutes. In addition to direct flights, there are also connecting flights from Lanzhou to Lhasa, and with a transition in Kunming, you'll have a chance to get a feel for the city with its mild climate. The following Lanzhou to Lhasa flight schedule can be used for your reference. You can also contact us directly to ask for more detailed information, and we can also book a Lanzhou Lhasa flight ticket for you if you need it.

    Flight RouteDep.-Arr.DurationFrequencyDistanceTicket Price
    Lanzhou to Lhasa Direct Flight Zhongchuan Airport - Gonggar Airport
    17:10-19:35
    2h25m Daily 1,671km Economy Class: $196
    First Class: $300
    Lanzhou Kunming Lhasa Connecting Flight Zhongchuan Airport - Changshui Airport - Gonggar Airport
    19:55-08:20-11:00
    15h45m Daily 3,712km Economy Class: $249
    First Class: $398
    Flight Route Lanzhou to Lhasa Direct Flight Lanzhou Kunming Lhasa Connecting Flight
    Dep.-Arr. Zhongchuan Airport - Gonggar Airport
    17:10-19:35
    Zhongchuan Airport - Changshui Airport - Gonggar Airport
    19:55-08:20-11:00
    Duration 2h25m 15h45m
    Frequency Daily Daily
    Distance 1,671km 3,712km
    Ticket Price Economy Class: $196
    First Class: $300
    Economy Class: $249
    First Class: $398

    Lhasa to Lanzhou Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

    Similarly, there is one direct flight from Lhasa to Lanzhou and several connecting flights. The direct flight takes off from Gonggar Airport at 2:00 p.m. and arrives in Lanzhou at 4:20 p.m. The flight time is 2 hours and 20 minutes. Similarly, there is also a connecting flight from Lhasa to Lanzhou via Kunming. You can choose them up to your situation. Below is the Lhasa Lanzhou flight schedule for your reference. If you need more flight information, please contact us.

    Flight RouteDep.-Arr.DurationFrequencyDistanceTicket Price
    Lhasa to Lanzhou Direct Flight Gonggar Airport - Zhongchuan Airport
    14:00-16:20
    2h20m Daily 1,671km Economy Class: $251
    First Class: $371
    Lhasa Kunming Lanzhou Connecting Flight Gonggar Airport - Changshui Airport - Zhongchuan Airport
    18:50-12:35-14:50
    20h Daily 3,712km Economy Class: $263
    First Class: $344
    Flight Route Lhasa to Lanzhou Direct Flight Lhasa Kunming Lanzhou Connecting Flight
    Dep.-Arr. Gonggar Airport - Zhongchuan Airport
    14:00-16:20
    Gonggar Airport - Changshui Airport - Zhongchuan Airport
    18:50-12:35-14:50
    Duration 2h20m 20h
    Frequency Daily Daily
    Distance 1,671km 3,712km
    Ticket Price Economy Class: $251
    First Class: $371
    Economy Class: $263
    First Class: $344

    Travel Documents Needed to Fly from Lanzhou to Lhasa

    Tibet Travel Permit

    According to the National Tourism Administration (NTA), foreign passport holders and residents from Taiwan need to apply for Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet, while mainland citizens and residents of Hong Kong and Macau do not need to do so. At present, the Tibet Tourism Bureau does not accept any individual form of application. Therefore you need to book a Tibet trip before applying for the document. If you choose to visit Xizang with Tibet Horizon, all you need to do is email us your necessary information and we will help you apply for a series of required documents. This is very convenient for you.

    Chinese Visa

    Foreign tourists traveling to Tibet must have a valid Chinese Visa issued by the Chinese Embassy, except for countries that have visa exemptions with China. Chinese Visa can be applied for at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country or region. Also, the time required for visa issuance depends on the workload of the consulate and the type of visa. Obtaining a valid Chinese visa is a crucial step in traveling to Tibet, so please make sure to complete the procedures before departure to ensure that you can travel to Tibet as expected.

    Faqs about Flying from Lanzhou to Lhasa

    How to book my Lanzhou to Lhasa flight tickets?

    Airline tickets from Lanzhou to Lhasa can be ordered from many platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia, Ctrip, Qunar, etc. Alternatively, you can check the airline's official website for relevant airfare information. Similarly, as a professional Tibet travel agency, we also provide you Lanzhou to Lhasa flight ticket booking service, please feel free to tell our travel consultant your travel plan.

    How to board Lanzhou to Lhasa flight?

    First of all, you need to arrive at the airfield early. The security check will stop 30 minutes before the airplane takes off, so please do not arrive at the airport close to the departure time, as you need to change your boarding pass, which will take more time, and there is a possibility that you will miss your flight.

    Once you arrive at the airport, you can follow the instructions to the boarding counter. Please make sure you have the necessary documents with you. The airport staff will confirm your passport and original Tibet Travel Permit, and then you’ll get your boarding pass. Baggage check-in shall be done at this step.

    Then, you need to wait for the security check at the boarding gate. Please keep an eye on the screen information to avoid missing the boarding time.

    After entering the cabin, remember to buckle up your seat-belt and turn off your cell phone according to the announcement. After nearly 2 and a half hours of flight, you will be able to reach Lhasa. Start your Lhasa journey.

    When is the best time to visit Lhasa?

    The best season for traveling to Lhasa mainly focuses on April to October every year. During this period, Lhasa's climate is warm and humid, and the oxygen content is also relatively abundant, which is very suitable for traveling. Especially in summer (June to August), Lhasa's weather is comfortable, oxygen concentration is high, and the natural scenery is beautiful. In addition, Lhasa in autumn (September to October) is equally charming, with pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and many scenic spots to visit. During this time, there are relatively fewer tourists in Lhasa and the traveling experience will be more comfortable.

    How to correctly deal with altitude sickness?

    1. 3-5 days before entering Tibet, you can insist on taking Hongjingtian to improve the body's ability to withstand hypoxia.
    2. After entering Tibet, try to slow down and walk slowly. Try to avoid physical exertion.
    3. For the first two days in Tibet, try not to wash your hair and take a bath.
    4. You can eat some local food like sweet tea to effectively relieve plateau reactions.

    How to get my hotel from Lhasa Gonggar Airport?

    After you arrive at the airport, you can retrieve your luggage. Our local tour guide will be waiting for you at the exit gate and take you to your hotel.

    Conclusion

    This Lanzhou Lhasa flight guide covers the various details of the flight journey, including flight schedules, ticket prices, travel permits, and visa. This complete guide will help you have a relaxing flight and our team is always ready to serve you. Tibet Horizon welcomes you and looks forward to exploring the wonders of Xizang with you. Have a nice trip!

    Most Popular Lanzhou to Tibet Tour Packages

    • Lanzhou to Lhasa Flight Tickets Booking: Economy or Business or First Class Seat

      Lanzhou to Lhasa Flight Tickets Booking: Economy or Business or First Class Seat

      Features:

      Direct Flight to the City of Sunlight
      Tibetan Rich Religious Atmosphere
      Diverse Landscapes in China

      Group size: Min.1 pax

      Tour price: free enquire >

    • 8 Days Lanzhou Flight to Lhasa Shigatse Everest Base Camp Tour

      8 Days Lanzhou Flight to Lhasa Shigatse Everest Base Camp Tour

      Features:

      Discover Tibet Plateau by air
      Landmarks in the City of Sunlight
      Pinnacle of the Himalayan Mountain Range

      Group size: Min.1 pax

      Tour price: free enquire >

    • 10 Days Lanzhou Train to Lhasa Shigatse Everest Base Camp Namtso Tour

      10 Days Lanzhou Train to Lhasa Shigatse Everest Base Camp Namtso Tour

      Features:

      Lifetime train ride experience on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
      Mysterious and profound Tibetan Buddhism
      Sacred lakes on the Tibet Plateau

      Group size: Min.1 pax

      Tour price: free enquire >

    Have a Question? Ask below or WhatsApp

    Question Summary*

    Details*

    SUBMIT
    close

    Please share your contact information, so we can send you the answer directly by email.

    requiredName :

    requiredEmail :

    WhatsApp :