How to Travel from France to Tibet
To travel from France to Tibet, you must first obtain a Chinese tourist visa from the Chinese Embassy in France. If your visa type is not an “L” (tourist) visa, you will need to provide additional documents—such as a work certificate or invitation letter—and consult with our professional travel advisor for guidance. With the proper visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, you can fly from France to major cities in mainland China—like Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an—and then take a flight or train to Lhasa.
Alternatively, you can travel from France to Nepal, and then enter Tibet via Kathmandu. In this case, you must apply for a Chinese Group Tourist Visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. You will also need the Tibet Travel Permit. From Kathmandu, you can either fly to Lhasa or take an overland trip via Gyirong Port.
As an experienced Tibetan travel agency, we are committed to providing a wide range of reliable and high-quality Tibet tour services. Below are the main transportation options from France to Lhasa:
Option 1: Paris – Mainland China – Lhasa
1. Paris to Beijing / Shanghai / Xi’an – then Lhasa
There are multiple direct flights from Paris to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an daily. Here are the details:
✈️ Paris to Beijing
Recommended flight: Air China CA876 (12:30–04:45), ~10 hrs 15 mins
Cost: Around $900
Next steps:
Flight to Lhasa: 3 daily flights from Beijing Capital Airport T3.
Departure: 07:35 / 08:15 / 14:50
Cost: ~$490 (including fees)
Train to Lhasa: Train Z21 (20:00–12:40, ~40 hrs 40 mins)
Cost: ~$170 (soft sleeper)
✈️ Paris to Shanghai
Recommended flight: Air China CA834 (12:15–05:35), ~11 hrs 20 mins
Cost: Around $760
Next steps:
Flight to Lhasa: 2 flights daily by Tibet Airlines (TV9882)
Departure: 16:45–23:25 (from Pudong T1 or Hongqiao T2)
Cost: ~$500 (including fees)
Train to Lhasa: Train Z164 (20:10–19:30, ~47 hrs 20 mins)
Cost: ~$190 (soft sleeper)
✈️ Paris to Xi’an
Recommended flight: Hainan Airlines HU7908 (13:00–05:35), ~10 hrs 35 mins
Cost: Around $680
Next steps:
Flight to Lhasa: Daily flights, e.g., Air China CA3904 (06:00–14:05)
Cost: ~$442 (including fees)
Train to Lhasa: Train Z265 (09:45–16:19, ~30 hrs 34 mins)
Cost: ~$143 (soft sleeper)
Option 2: Paris – Hong Kong – China – Lhasa
You can also fly from Paris to Hong Kong and then transfer to a mainland Chinese city before heading to Lhasa.
Paris to Hong Kong: ~12 hrs
Recommended airline: Cathay Pacific (~$850)
Hong Kong to Chengdu: ~5–6 hrs, ~ $500
From Chengdu, you can travel to Lhasa by plane or train.
Option 3: Paris – Hong Kong – Kathmandu – Lhasa
Since there are no direct flights from France to Kathmandu, you’ll need to transit through Hong Kong or another major hub.
Paris to Kathmandu via Hong Kong: ~ $500–$700
From Kathmandu, you can either fly or travel overland to Tibet.
✈️ Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Distance: 600 km
Flight time: ~1.5 hours
Cost: ~$275
Flights:
CA408 (12:10–16:00)
3U8720 (11:30–15:10)
🚐 Overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa
You’ll be transferred to Gyirong Port, the current border crossing between Nepal and China.
After customs, our Tibetan guide will meet you.
The route passes through Gyirong, Tingri, Everest Base Camp (EBC), and Shigatse before reaching Lhasa.
This scenic journey features Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, sacred mountains, and opportunities to engage with Tibetan culture.
Tibet Travel Permit Tips for French Travelers
1. Entering from Mainland China
You must have a valid Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit.
Email us a copy of your passport and visa at least 30 days in advance.
If you do not have a tourist visa (L), additional documentation such as an invitation letter or work certificate is needed.
The permit is typically issued 7–10 days before your Tibet tour starts.
By Train:
We will email you a scanned copy of your Tibet Travel Permit. Print it on A4 paper and bring it with you to board the train.
By Air:
We will deliver the original Tibet Travel Permit to your transit city in China so you can board the flight to Lhasa.
2. Entering from Nepal
You must apply for a Chinese Group Visa in Kathmandu, even if you already hold a standard Chinese visa—it will become invalid.
You also need a Tibet Travel Permit.
What we’ll do:
We’ll prepare your permit and invitation letter and send them to our staff in Kathmandu.
Once you arrive in Kathmandu:
Day 1: Our local staff collects your passport and helps with the application form.
Day 2: We return your passport along with the Group Visa.
Day 3: You enter Tibet with your original passport, Group Visa, and Tibet Permit copy.
