How to Organize Your Trip to Tibet as a Foreigner

If you want to book a Tibet tour but you aren’t sure what travel agency to choose we can suggest you a reliable agency. Click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

p.s. For more in-depth information on traveling around China (insurances, vaccines, ATMs, internal flights, common scams, internet, food, etc.) you may have a look at my complete guide to travel to China. It’s massive, around 4,000 words, but you don’t need to read it all, just jump on the sections you find interesting to you. You can also download a travel phrasebook Chinese-English.

p.p.s Here you find a couple of articles that treat in more detail some of the most popular destinations of Tibet:

p.p.p.s. I have no experience on traveling to Tibet from Nepal. If this is what you are planning to do I recommend you to check Dave’s website, The Longest Way Home.

Travel to TibetThe Podala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet

Things to know before you book your trip: Chinese Visa, Tibet Permit and Travel agencies

Get a Chinese Visa

First of all, in order to reach Tibet you have to enter China, that is you need a Chinese Visa (unless you are already living in China). Getting a tourist Visa isn’t that difficult and I’ve already wrote a detailed guide on this topic.

I recommend you to don’t mention Tibet while you are applying for the Visa. Even if you are going there only for tourism, the political situation is difficult (yes, this is an euphemism) and the Visa officers may start to questioning you real goals (are you an activist or, worse, a journalist?). Keep it simple and avoid to talk too much.

Get a Tibet Entry Permit

Beside your Chinese Visa, you’ll need a TTB Permit (Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit or Tibet Entry Permit) to enter Tibet.

From time to time China decides to close Tibet to foreign visitors, so you may want to check whether the border to Tibet is open or not before to book your flight.

If the border is open the Tibet Entry Permit isn’t difficult to get. Actually the travel agency that will organize your trip will also take care of the permit. keep in mind that its cost should be included on the price of your tour.

Notice that without the permit you can’t even get on a plane or a train to Tibet (you’ll need it at the boarding time). If you are thinking to hire a car and go there by yourself, I suggest you to re-evaluate your options. There are military check point everywhere in Tibet and around its borders: they will stop you, discover that you have no permit and kick out of China as soon as possible (at your own expense).

So yeah, your only option is to book a private or group tour.

Some tips on choosing a travel agency

I’ve been to Tibet with a random Chinese travel agency I found in Beijing (I don’t even recall the name). It was slightly cheaper than booking with a more foreigner-friendly agency (that is an agency that has at least a website in English language and someone that speak English at the office) and I must say I got what I paid.

The overall organization was ok. However the hotels were terrible, the food was crap (we ended up eating several times at our expense to avoid the tour “official” restaurants) and the guide could barely speak English.

If you don’t live in China you’ll probably look for an agency on the web, so you’ll most luckily find someone that speak decent English. Before to book just make sure that:

  • Tibet is open to foreign visitors on the days you are planning to travel there. Be aware that there will always be the risk that the authorities decide to close the border without any notice but it’s not that probable.
  • Make sure that the agency you chose is able to get the Tibet Entry Permit on your behalf.
  • Read the review of previous customers on the agency’s website (all decent agencies will provide some reviews). In-depth reviews that provide the name and photo of the customers are better than anonymous short review such as “this trip was wonderful” are more difficult to fake. Just use a bit of common sense.
  • Make sure that you are dealing with a serious agency. For instance, let’s say that you ask to the travel agent whether you can travel by yourself within Tibet after they provide the Permit for you or not. If the agent answers “Yes, of course” then run away. He’s lying to you as his only goal is to secure a new customer. As I’ve already wrote, you can’t travel alone within Tibet. The most you can do is to wonder around Lhasa by yourself (but don’t try to enter to any temple on your own).

Trip to TibetA street market along the route Lhasa-Shigatse

How much does it cost a trip to Tibet?

It’s difficult to answer to this question because it comes down to what you want. The best I can do is to highlight the different options that you’ll have. Generally speaking, you should plan a budget of at least 800 USD per person (the international flight is not included).

  • Chinese Visa: the price depends on your nationality but it should be around 130 USD. Here you’ll find more details.
  • Travel Insurance: a two weeks travel insurance with World Nomads costs about 70 USD (click on the link above to get a quote for more people if you aren’t traveling alone). I strongly suggest you to purchase a travel insurance as if you get sick in Tibet and you have no insurance you may end up spending more than what you can afford. It’s too risky.
  • International flight: usually it’s not included on the travel agency’s fee. The prices may vary greatly according to the season and your departure city. Here you’ll find some tips on how to get the best deal.
  • Internal flight or train: You’ll most luckily land in Beijing or Shanghai. From there you can choose to take a plane or a train to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The internal trip is usually included on the agency’s fee (make sure to double check it!). Most of agencies will offer you both options (plane or train). I will discuss the pros and cons of traveling by train in the next section, however keep in mind that traveling by train will be cheaper (you can expect a difference of at least 200 USD).
  • Private or group tour: If you travel alone or with a friend (or partner) a group tour will be a bit cheaper. However if you are at least three people the price should be pretty much the same.
  • The duration of the trip: I suggest at least ten days if you are planning to reach the Everest Base Camp or eight days if you just want to visit Lhasa, the Holy Lakes, Shigatse and a couple of Buddhist temples on the road. There is no point to go to Tibet and stay in Lhasa!
  • The hotels: Most of agencies will offer you the possibility to choose the type of hotel you want to sleep in (from 2 to 5 stars). The price will vary according to your choice.

At the beginning of this section I claimed that you should plan a budget of at least 800 USD per person. Let’s break down this figure and add the international flight cost:

  • Visa: 100-150 USD.
  • Travel insurance: 70 USD.
  • International flight: 800-1000 USD from U.S. and 600-800 USD from Europe if you want to come on summer and buy the ticket at least two months before your departure.
  • All inclusive organized trip with a travel agency: 600-800 USD (assuming that you are choosing the cheapest option).

So yeah, you can’t expect to visit Tibet for less than 1,500 USD per person (unless you already live in Asia). Notice that I didn’t include any souvenirs, food or other extras (for instance a cowboy hat or a yak burger!).

Pros and cons of traveling to Tibet by train

While flying to Tibet from Shanghai or Beijing will take about four hours, getting there by train will take 45-50 hours. I went to Tibet by train and I don’t regret it as there are several advantages:

  • Altitude sickness: Even if Lhasa has an altitude of “only” 3,490 meters (11,450 ft) it doesn’t make sense to travel to Tibet and only visit the capital. You’ll want to visit at least the Holy Lakes and, maybe, the Everest Base Camp. This means that you’ll travel up to 5,300 meters. And, unless you are a Nepalese sherpa, you’ll get altitude sickness.

    Don’t freak out, you’ll survive. The symptoms of altitude sickness are very similar to a bad hangover. However if you reach the Tibetan plateau gradually, that is by train, your body will have the time to adapt itself and you’ll be able to enjoy your trip much more (I’ve seen people getting really sick and even puking on the bus).

  • Landscapes: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is an amazing ride, especially while you are crossing Qinghai Province, a land of deserts and astonishing lakes (see the above video for more details). Also, you’ll be able to claim that you traveled along the highest railway in the world!
  • Experience: Spend two night in a Chinese train is quite an experience. I’ve wrote a full guide on traveling by train in China so just click on link if you want to learn more about it.
  • Price: The train is cheaper than the plane (at least 200 USD for a return trip).

Here the only cons that I could find:

  • Time consuming: As I said, it takes about 45 hours for traveling by train from Beijing or Shanghai to Lhasa. What we did was to go by train (so that we enjoyed the landscapes and minimized the altitude sickness symptoms) and come back by plain (so we gained two days).
  • No shower for two days.

How to travel to TibetMyself riding a yak at 5,300 meters of altitude.

Planning your trip to Tibet

The best time to visit Tibet

I would say that the best time to visit Tibet is between the 15 September and the 15 October. It won’t be too cold neither too hot, the sky will be clean so you’ll have the possibility to enjoy the sun at 5,000 meters and see the Himalayan mountain range (aren’t coming to Tibet for it after all?)

Where to go?

This article is already quite long so I won’t go into details on what you can visit in Tibet and what are the top attractions in Tibet. However you can find more info on the most popular Tibetan destination by visiting the following pages:

What to bring to Tibet

You don’t need any special equipment to travel around Tibet (unless you want to climb the Everest but in this case you are either crazy or already know what to bring!). Of course bring a winter jacket as it may be cold, especially at night, and sunglasses as the sun can be quite strong up to 5,000 meters.

If you have never been to China and are wondering whether you should bring anything special or not, you can read the complete list of what I carry with me when I travel around the Middle Kingdom.

General advices

  • Avoid to take pics of the police or the military check points: you’ll risk to get your photo camera or smart phone seized. No kidding.
  • Expect to see the worst bathrooms of your life, especially where you’re far from the main cities (Lhasa and Shigatse).
  • Local people will often ask you some money to take photos of them or their animals. Usually you can get around with 10 RMB (less the 2 USD). You can also take photos with yaks (yes, I paid to take the photo on the yak that you can see on this article), huge Tibetan dogs and so on. In this case it may be more expensive (20 or 30 RMB).
  • The food won’t be the best, especially if you choose a cheap organized trip. While you are in Lhasa, if you chose a cheap tour I suggest you to have dinner on your own and try at least a yak burger and the Tibetan yak dumplings. I won’t cost you more than a couple of USD and it’s not something you can experience elsewhere (unless you’re heading to Nepal after Tibet)
  • The best way to reduce the altitude sickness is to drink a lot of water as the main cause is the de-hidratation of the brain (as for a bad hangover).
  • Don’t believe medias, Tibet isn’t dangerous!
  • The overall trip may be tiresome as you’ll spend a good chunk of your trip in a bus, moving within lakes, temples and glaciers. However I do think it’s well worth and I’m looking forward to go back to Tibet soon!

Other frequently asked questions

Is Tibet a part of China?
Currently, Tibet is a Chinese Autonomous Region. This is why you need to get a Chinese visa before being able to enter Tibet. In addition, Tibet is subject to a special regulation, and if you don’t have a Chinese passport, you will have to get an entry permit, which can only be obtained through an authorized travel agency that takes care of your trip.
What are the differences between Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan?
The Autonomous Region of Tibet shares borders with Nepal, India and Bhutan, but despite the fact that Tibet’s population has a certain cultural influence in Nepal and Bhutan, their populations are quite different. While Nepal is culturally similar to India and its religion is Hinduism in its majority, Bhutan is culturally closer to Tibet. Bhutan is mainly Buddhist, but it’s religion is not based on Tibetan Buddhism.

Neither Bhutan nor Tibet can be visited freely, so you will have to hire an organized tour. On the contrary, Nepal allows free entry without the need to hire any agency.

How can I cross the border between Tibet and Nepal?
It is possible to go to Nepal from Tibet. In fact, many tours of Tibet end in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. If you want to visit Nepal as well as Tibet, it’s recommendable to first travel to China and then later to Nepal, as entering China through Tibet can be difficult.
Where is the border between Tibet and Bhutan?
To the extent of our knowledge, border posts between Tibet and Bhutan don’t exist. If you want to travel to Bhutan from Tibet, you will first have to go to Kathmandu and later to Bhutan.
Is there any alternative to Tibet?
Tibetan ethnic minority populations can be found in other parts of China, such as the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai. So, if you want to get to know Tibetan culture without the need to request a Tibet Entry Permit, you can visit these provinces. However, in the a province of Sichuan, it’s also possible that you will have to request some type of permit through an authorized agency to be able to visit the Tibetan populations.
Is Tibet a safe place to travel?
Yes, Tibet is safe, even for solo travelers. Tibetans tend to be very welcoming. The main dangers are related to natural disasters, accidents, and at times encounters with animals such as wild dogs. Also, you have to take care to not get caught in the crossfire in the event of unrest.
Do they speak English in Tibet?
Despite being an international language that is more widespread every day, the majority of Tibetans do not know how to speak English. English is only spoken at hotels for foreigners or luxury hotels in large cities such as Lhasa and Shigaste. The natives speak Tibetan, and almost all people under 35 can also communicate in Mandarin.
Is arranging travel to the TAR difficult?
No, the travel agency that you choose will take care of practically everything when it comes to organizing your tour. All you have to decide is the route that you want to follow and to exchange a few emails with them. Remember to choose a trustworthy agency with a good reputation, and they will take care of the paperwork for the necessary permits.
What should I buy in Tibet?
The work of Tibetan artisans is very beautiful. Tibetan carpets are renowned for their environmentally-respectful technique and their detailed designs. Jewelry, amulets and rosaries are another option, as well as musical instruments, cups and tea leaves. Make sure you are willing to bargain.
Do I have the freedom to design my own itinerary?
Yes. The main reason why travel agencies offer “tour packages” is because the majority of travelers aren’t very familiar with Tibet. However, almost all specialized travel agencies will let you create your own itinerary. Keep in mind that not all of the areas of the Autonomous Region of Tibet are always open.

In conclusion…

I think now you know pretty much everything you need to plan your trip. People tend to think that traveling to Tibet is complicated. The reality is that China has amazing infrastructures and the travel agency will take care of all the technical details such as the Entry Permit or the internal trips. So you won’t need to work too hard on the organization.

If you want to book a Tibet tour but you aren’t sure what travel agency to choose we can suggest you a reliable agency. Click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Photo Credits: Photos by Sapore di Cina

24 thoughts on “How to Organize Your Trip to Tibet as a Foreigner”

  1. hi – you said it’s good to go to Tibet at the end of September/start of October. Do you think Tibet is affected by the Chinese National Day holiday? Do many Chinese people travel there during that time?

  2. Tibet Shambhala Adventure

    Thanks for sharing this useful information. I found this article really helpful. SO please keep sharing you articles. thanks.

  3. Wow, I was amazed by how detailed this post is! I am planning to go there with 3 of my friends so that might be a group tour for us. Thank you so much! =)

  4. Hi Furio

    Thanks a lot for the guidance!
    It helps me alot arranging my trip to Tibet.

    I think based on what u stated im convinced i get the right travel agent since they are really strict when i ask if i can go around tibet myself – when i get free time in between lunch hours/dinner time.. They said no we cant.
    I just wonder what do u think if i take november 11-19, is it bad the weather there?

  5. Hi, good to read all this, thanks for doing it.

    We have one question, we check that is good idea to go in the train but to stop in some cities before arrive there, how to plan an excursion like that? we always do trips without tours so now that we must do… is our wondering.

    we live near hangzhou, zhejiang province

    thanks.

  6. I read your article for tour to Tibet and got it very enlightening .Tibet ,Land of Himalayas, really stunning place to visit.

  7. Ok, I was planning to visit Tibet alone for 6 months, and stay there hanging around, but it looks like it is imposible, unless you can give me some good advise, of course every tour would be done within an agency but along 6 month, the rest of the time nothing to do, just living there, can I rent a room or live in a monastery? Travel permit for 6 months are possible? Good advise is welcome. Thanks.

    1. Hello,

      no, that’s not possible. I doubt they will give you a Tibet Permit longer than 20-30 days and you will have to hire an accredited guide for all the time you spend there

  8. Hello there,
    I live in China and want to go to Tibet soon. I went to an agency in the city i live in and they told me they can sell me the permit to get into Tibet and without any tour as all its tours are for groups of Chinese people who are able to visit all the sightseeing I cannot as a foreign. They said, I can go with them, but I won’t be allowed to visit all the places Chinese will do in the tour. Which means, i can explore Tibet by myself, with the special permit, and without any tour. Do you think I can do it for sure?
    Thanks a lot in advance.

    1. It looks like a scam. Foreigners aren’t allowed to explore Tibet by themselves. You’ll probably be stopped at the first military check point (there are a ton of them) and get kicked out of China ASAP. Get a tour, if you want to visit Tibet!

  9. Hi Furious Fu
    Five of us have booked all our flight from Singapore to Xining to take the train there to Lhasa.
    Paid our deposit to a Tibetan agency ( very well rated by trip advisor) for arranging the trip within Tibet, all permit and to secure Xining to Lhasa train ticket.
    Now the agency informed that train ticket are secured but we will only know the train Nos and times of departure when we reach Xining as they obtained the soft sleeper berth through some “connection”
    Is this quite normal , we are very concerned that this might be a scam and worse getting ourselves stuck in Xining without train ticket. hope you can comments, Thanks

    1. Hello, this makes nosense to me! Ticket are available 20 days before departure and all details (departure time and seat number) shall be on the ticket. Can’t confirm it’s a scam or not but it doesn’t look so serious to me.

  10. Hi man, I need a few extra info about Tibet, if you don’t mind.
    First of all, do you confirm that you HAVE TO book a tour through an agency to go around? I knew this was true but then I was just having a look at the Lonely Planet website and they talk about the possibility of traveling independently…
    Second, is it possible to book the tour at the moment you arrive in Lhasa? Or is it advisable to book the tour in advance? Also, do you need a permit to get to Lhasa or do you do everything once you’ll get there (sorry but I didn’t really get this).
    Thanks mate!!

    1. Hi Laura, as far as I know there’s no way to go to Tibet without travel agency (unless you have Chinese nationality). The only way to be allowed to go to Tibet is with a Tibet Entry Permit and only the travel agencies can get it, this means that you can’t take any plane or train direction Lhasa without the Permit and therefore a tour arranged

  11. salve Maestro ,

    Just to tell you : Bravissimo !
    Your blog Is just Awesome !
    Just perfect !
    You are the best !
    Just arrived in Shanghai your blog is my Bible !
    Just left Thailland where I was working in Phuket
    Te engracie , molto gentil
    Tanto bacci
    Coco
    Funny I just stay to Kevin ‘s old house up of Bella Napoli :)
    Coco

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