How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Tibet? Price Guide 2025

 

If you've been dreaming about a trip to the "Roof of the World", one key question might be, how much does a trip to Tibet cost? Traveling to Tibet can indeed be more costly compared with other cities in mainland China. To help you plan a suitable budget for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, here we provide you the cost of different Tibet tour packages as well as the price breakdown in detail.

Join-in tour is the most cost-effective way to travel to Tibet
Join-in tour is the most cost-effective way to travel to Tibet

Join-in Tibet Tour Package Cost

If you are no more than 2 persons, joining a group with other tourists could save you a lot of money, as you can share the costs of vehicle and tour guide. Usually, 5 or 6 different tour packages are available depending on how many days you plan to stay in Tibet, and the prices vary from different seasons.

4 Days Lhasa Highlights Tour Package Cost

Month Tour Cost
November to March (Low Season) From 450 USD per person
April to June & October (Shoulder Season) From 480 USD per person
July,August,September (High Season) From 560 USD per person

6 Days Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake-Shigatse Tour Package Cost

Month Tour Cost
November to March (Low Season) From 720 USD per person
April to June & October (Shoulder Season) From 740 USD per person
July,August,September (High Season) From 840 USD per person

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour Package Cost

Month Tour Cost
November to March (Low Season) From 1035 USD per person
April to June & October (Shoulder Season) From 1055 USD per person
July,August,September (High Season) From 1185 USD per person

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour Package Cost

Month Tour Cost
November–March (Low Season) From 850 USD per person
April to June & October (Shoulder Season) From 885 USD per person
July,August,September (High Season) From 1000 USD per person

15 Days Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Tour Package Cost

Month Tour Cost
November to March (Tour Not Available) N/A
April to June & October (Shoulder Season) From 1870 USD per person
July,August,September (High Season) From 2140 USD per person

Private Tibet Tour Package Cost

It's actually hard to estimate the approximate cost of a private Tibet tour, as the prices can be very much different based on the different number of people in your party. However, a private tour can be roughly 20%-30% more expensive than a group tour if you have less than 3 persons. On the contrast, the price will go down and be cheaper if you have more than 5 persons traveling together.

A private Tibet tour is more costly, but with more flexibility
A private Tibet tour is more costly, but with more flexibility

Of course, how much a private Tibet tour costs also greatly depends on what itinerary and types of accommodations you will choose. Here you can find some basic price breakdown for your reference:

Item Cost
Tour Guide 75 USD per day
Vehicle for 3-5 PAX 140 USD to 250 USD per day
Standard 3-star Accommodation 35 USD to 50 USD per night
Entrance Ticket Fee 15 USD to 40 USD per day

Transportation Costs To/From Tibet

Your transportation mode also takes a big partial of the total cost for the trip; whether you choose flights or trains to Tibet will significantly impact the spending. Typically, flights range between 130 USD - 500 USD (one-way), while train ticket costs anywhere between 70 USD - 205 USD per person (one-way). If you don't have a high budget for the Tibet tour and meanwhile you are not short of time, Our suggestion is you take one way flight plus one way train, which can save you a mount of money.

Gateway City Flight Cost Train Cost
Chengdu-Lhasa 130 USD - 410 USD Hard Sleeper: 90 USD
Soft Sleeper: 140 USD
Beijing-Lhasa 250 USD - 470 USD Hard Sleeper: 100 USD
Soft Sleeper: 160 USD
Shanghai-Lhasa 250 USD - 485 USD Hard Sleeper: 110 USD
Soft Sleeper: 177 USD
Guangzhou-Lhasa 250 USD - 425 USD Hard Sleeper: 120 USD
Soft Sleeper: 205 USD
Xian-Lhasa 150 USD - 365 USD Hard Sleeper: 85 USD
Soft Sleeper: 135 USD
Xining-Lhasa 150 USD - 330 USD Hard Sleeper: 70 USD
Soft Sleeper: 110 USD
Kathmandu-Lhasa 440 USD N/A

Note: 50% - 80% off flight tickets are available during low & shoulder season.

Visa & Permit Costs for Traveling to Tibet

For those countries which don't benefit from the Visa-Free policy from China, tourists will need to get a Chinese visa to travel to Tibet. Most tourists get the Chinese visa from their home country. The application fee varies from different countries and different types of the visa, so please inquire the Chinese Embassy or consulate nearby your home for the prices. But if you travel from Nepal, then a special Group Chinese Visa to enter Tibet is required, and you can contact a Tibet travel agency to check the Chinese visa fee.

Besides the Chinese visa, you'll additionally need a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. But no worries about the application, it's issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau and it's free of charge, and your travel agency will handle all the procedures, you don't need to go to apply for it yourself.

Tibet Travel Permit is free of charge and is included in the tour package
Tibet Travel Permit is free of charge and is included in the tour package

Some FAQs for Tibet Tour Cost

1. Why is Tibet travel so expensive?

According to the government regulations, international tourists need to travel to Tibet with an organized tour which includes a tour guide, a vehicle and a driver. Meanwhile, plateau flight routes require higher standard for the planes and the crews, which also causes the air tickets more expensive than the regular routes. These are the reasons that make Tibet travel a bit more costly than other destinations.

2. When is the cheapest season to visit Tibet?

Everything in Tibet will be cheaper if you come in winter, including hotel, vehicle, and tour guide fee. Air companies also offer alluring discounts at lowest prices. Plus, benefiting from the annual tourism promotion by local government, you may enjoy free or half price entrance to some scenic spots till March 15th .

3. How much does a luxury Tibet tour cost?

The main price difference for a luxury Tibet tour is from the accommodation. There are 5-star hotels in Tibet such as St. Regis, Hilton, InterContinental and Shangri-La Hotel, and they cost 150-300 USD / night. Email us at inquiry@gototibet.com for a customized tour and quotation.

Conclusion

The cost of a Tibet trip varies hugely depending on itinerary, group size, hotel and season. In general, the shortest 4-day Lhasa city tour only costs around 450 USD to 550 USD, the most popular 8-day Everest Base Camp tour costs from 950 USD, and the longer Mount Kailash tour costs more than 1500 USD. Traveling to Tibet in summer is more expensive than in winter no matter the for the tour or for the flight.

If you are still not sure about how to determine your budget for a trip to Tibet, you can contact us for a more precise cost estimation, as well as some practical suggestions on money saving.

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