Tibet Travel Guide
Find practical guides for travelling in Tibet, covering permits, transport, travel seasons, everyday essentials and planning considerations.
Trending questions
What do you want to know?
Eight topics cover almost every question a first-time visitor asks.
The questions everyone asks
Get the short answer here. Each one links to a full guide with more detail and its own questions.
Do I need a permit to visit Tibet?
Yes. Every foreign passport holder needs a Tibet Travel Permit, which only a registered Tibet agency can apply for. Plan on three to four weeks.
Train or flight to Lhasa: which is better?
The train from Xining or Beijing is a gentler climb and a great journey; flights save one to two days. Both need your permit in hand before boarding.
Can you travel from Nepal into Tibet?
Yes, with a Tibet permit and a group visa arranged through an agency. Overland via Gyirong or flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa both work.
Phones, internet and money in Tibet
Mobile data works but many foreign apps are blocked in China, so set up an eSIM or VPN-free plan before you arrive. Cards are accepted in cities; carry some cash for villages.
Is Tibet safe for children and older travellers?
It can be, with a slower itinerary and a doctor’s check first. We build extra Lhasa days for families and travellers over 65.
Is Namtso worth it? Altitude, season and the night at the lake
A high lake at 4,718 m: when it is open, how cold it gets and who should wait.
Guides by place
Same topics, narrowed to where you are going.
Latest guides
Do I need a permit to visit Tibet?
Yes, if you hold a foreign passport. A registered Tibet agency files it for you. Here is how it works and when to send your documents.
How bad is altitude sickness in Lhasa?
Most travellers get a headache or poor sleep in the first two nights. How to keep it mild and when to ask for help.
When is the best time to visit Tibet?
May to June and September to October give the clearest views. What each month is like in Lhasa and beyond.
Everest Base Camp from Tibet: what to expect
The north side is open from mid April to late October. The road, the permits and where you sleep.
Lhasa in four days, paced for the altitude
An empty first afternoon, the Potala on day two and monasteries on day three. A plan that respects 3,650 m.
Train or flight to Lhasa: which is better?
The train is a gentler climb and a long, scenic ride. Flights save a day or two. Both need your permit before boarding.
How to behave in a Tibetan monastery
Walk clockwise, ask before photographing, dress modestly and never touch statues. The rules that matter most.
What do you eat in Tibet? 12 dishes to try
Butter tea, tsampa, momos and yak dishes are the staples. Lhasa also has good Sichuan, Nepali and Indian restaurants.
Can you travel from Nepal into Tibet?
Yes, with a Tibet group visa and a booked tour. How the overland route and the Kathmandu flight compare.
Free: the Tibet first-timer checklist
Permit deadline, packing list, altitude plan and arrival day on one printable page. We’ll email it to you.