1. Train – Hanoi to Lhasa
2. Flight – Hanoi to Lhasa
3. FAQ + Travel Tips
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From Hanoi to Lhasa in Tibet you can travel by plane or train.
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Lhasa in Tibet is about 2000 km by plane, but it depends on your flight. Travel distance by train of Vietnam Railway and China Railway from Hanoi to Lhasa (via Nanning, Xi’an in China) is about 5600 km. The best and fastest option is definitely to travel by plane. There are flights with stopover in another city in China, e.g. in Guangzhou, Xi’an. Flight from Hanoi to Lhasa in Tibet (Lhasa Gonggar International Airport) takes about 15-20 hours with stopover in another city and it costs about $250-550/pp. Another option how to rach Lhasa from Hanoi is to travel by train of Vietnam Railway + China Railways. It is possible to travel by train via Lang Son in Vietnam and Nanning and Xi’an in China. Travel time by this option and train takes about 40 hours via Nanning and Xi’an. Travel by train from Hanoi to Lhasa costs totally about $200-300/pp with stop in Lang Son, Nanning and Xi’an. Travel by train to Lhasa is a popular by tourists and you will see an amazing sceneries of Tibet region. Time of travel by train will be shorter if you will be traveling by land in China. You can search and book train tickets or flights from Hanoi to Lhasa easily online. From Hanoi you can also travel to Guangzhou or Lhasa in Tibet.
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Lhasa – a traditional center of Tibetan Buddhism.
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- Lhasa is the traditional capital of Tibet, and currently the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. Tibet is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Lhasa lies in lowland, but the altitude is 3665 m, you should spend a couple of days in Lhasa to acclimate to the high altitude. . Mountains, untouched nature, still unexplored site, Tibet Buddhism, historical palaces, nomads and pilgrims. Interesting places in Lhasa > Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Chakpori Hill, Norbulingka (The Summer Palace), Barkhor Street, Tibet Museum, Lhasa Carpet Factory, Mentsekhang (Tibetan Traditional Hospital), Heavenly Lake Namtso. There are 2 popular options how you can travel from Hanoi in Vietnam to Lhasa in Tibet – take a flight with stopover or travel by train via Nanning and Xi’an.
| Transfer Mode – Hanoi to Lhasa: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train (via Nanning, Xi’an) | 40 hours | $200-300/pp |
| Plane (with stopover) | 15-20 hours | $250-550/pp |
1. TRAIN from Hanoi to Lhasa
A) TRAIN from Hanoi to Nanning (China)
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- interesting experience is train ride in Vietnam and China (you will see beautiful landscapes)
- a cheap option how to get from Hanoi to Nanning
- this route is operated by Nanning Railway Bureau of China Railway
- train – China Railway MR1/T8702 (comfortable, Soft Bed)
- travel by train from Hanoi to Nanning takes about 12 hours
- there is 1 train every day in 21:20 of China Railway MR1/T8702 from Hanoi to Nanning
- one-way ticket costs about 1 000 000 viet.dongs (about 40-50 USD)
- train station in Hanoi – Gia Lam Railway Station (481 Ngọc Lâm)
- train station in Nanning – Nanning Railway Station (63 Zhonghua Rd)
- Book and buy train e-tickets on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜, online payment is without any problem from everywhere
- This train goes from Hanoi – Gia Lam Railway Station and continue to Dong Dang. Dong Dang is a Vietnamese border in Lang Son province. You need to stock yourself before taking train as there is no restaurant there. In your whole trip you’ll stay on the same train and even on the same room from beginning to end of the trip. While travelling by train you’ll be able to get a view of Vietnamese border. Dong Dang border be the place where you need to show your passport and get them stamped.
- Then the train departs from Dong Dang at 02:50 AM in Vietnam and arrives at 04:31 AM to Pingxiang in China. In Pingxiang, passengers must get off the train again and complete immigration entry procedures at Chinese border. After this procedure train continue to Nanning. Read also very carefully this article – How to get a chinese Visa in Hanoi. In the near future there is also a plan to build a new High-Speed Line from Nanning to Pingxiang.
For bookings with the international railway service Hanoi-Nanning-Beijing, you will be required to complete the payment before submitting your order. Your reservation will be processed and you will receive a voucher by email to collect the physical ticket at the station before boarding the train.
B) TRAIN from Nanning to Xi’an (2300 km)
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- the fast or highspeed modern trains from Nanning to Xi’an
- highspeed trains > the duration only about 12 hours (1st class seat, 2nd class seat, business seat)
- fast trains, through trains > the duration about 30-34 hours (Hard seat, Hard sleeper, Soft sleeper)
- train ticket from Nanning to Xi’an costs about $100-150/pp
- Book and buy train tickets from Nanning to Xi’an on 12go.asia ➜
- there are also flights from Nanning to Xi’an
- you can also travel by train from Nanning > Guangzhou > Lhasa
C) TRAIN from Xi’an to Lhasa (2 800 km)
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- scenic ride through the Tibet, long but stunning (the highest railway in the world)
- travel time by China Railway train (Z165, Z265) is about 7-8.5 hours (seat)
- through trains > the duration about 30 hours (Hard sleeper, Soft sleeper)
- train ticket from Xi’an to Lhasa costs about $40-60/pp
- Lhasa Railway Station (Lhasa Station) is the terminal station of Qinghai-Tibet Railway
- Book and buy train tickets from Xi’an to Lhasa on 12go.asia ➜
- there are also flights from Xi’an to Lhasa
In the near future it will be possible to travel by train from Chengdu (China) to Lhasa. They are building a new railway connection from Chengdu (China) to Lhasa in 2017, time of travel will take about 15 hours from Chengdu to Lhasa (more info). Then you can travel from Hanoi to Kunming, from Kunming to Chengdu and then to Lhasa. See the map of high-speed railway in China.
➜ Foreigners visiting Tibet – there is no need for a visa, but a permit (Tibet Travel Permit, TTP). Without this permit you will not let you into the train. More information about this permit.
2. FLIGHTS from Hanoi to Lhasa
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- Lhasa Gonggar Airport is about 60 km from the Lhasa City
- from the airport to Lhasa you can travel by local bus or taxi
- the fastest and most comfortable option how to get from Hanoi to Lhasa
- there is no direct flight from Hanoi to Lhasa
- you can take a flight via Xi’an or Guangzhou
- various airlines: China Eastern, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines, Vietnam Airlines
- flight time to Lhasa is about 15-20 hours from Hanoi (with 1 or 2 stopovers)
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Hanoi to Lhasa:
1. How you can book train tickets or flights from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- You can book flights or train tickets from Hanoi to Lhasa on 12go.asia.
- You can search + book train tickets from Nanning > Xi’an, Xi’an > Lhasa…
2. How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- Travel by train of Vietnam + China Railway from Hanoi to Lhasa (via Nanning, Xi’an) takes about 40 hours.
- Travel by plane from Hanoi to Lhasa takes about 15-20 hours with stopover.
3. How far is Lhasa in China from Hanoi in Vietnam?
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Lhasa is about 2000 km by plane, but it depends on your flight. Travel distance by train of Vietnam Railway + China Railway from Hanoi to Lhasa (via Nanning, Xian) is about 5600 km.
4. How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- Travel by plane from Hanoi to Lhasa (with stopover) costs about $250-550/pp.
- Travel by train of Vietnam Railway + China Railways via Nanning + Xi’an costs about $200-300/pp.
5. What is the best and fastest way of travel from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- The best and fastest way of getting from Hanoi to Lhasa is to travel by plane. There are no direct flights, so you have to take a flight with stopover in another city of China.
6. What is the cheapest way of travel from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- The cheapest way of getting from Hanoi to Lhasa is to travel by train via Nanning. There is a train from Hanoi to Nanning via Dong Dang border crossing + Pingxiang city in China. This way has 3 steps – train from Hanoi to Nanning, train from Nanning to Xi’an, train from Xi’an to Lhasa.
7. Is there also another railway route from Hanoi to Lhasa?
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- You can also travel to Lhasa by train via Guangzhou in China. So, you can travel by train from Hanoi to Nanning, from Nanning to Guangzhou and from Guangzhou to Lhasa. You can search and book these train tickets online.
8. What are the must-visit attractions in Lhasa?
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- Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, offers several captivating attractions. The must-visit sites include the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former residence of the Dalai Lama; Jokhang Temple, a revered Tibetan Buddhist temple known for its sacred atmosphere and bustling Barkhor Street; Sera Monastery, where you can witness the famous monk debates; Norbulingka Palace, a beautiful summer palace with well-manicured gardens; and Drepung Monastery, one of the largest monastic universities in Tibet.
9. Is it possible to visit Mount Everest from Lhasa?
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- Yes, it is possible to visit Mount Everest from Lhasa. There are organized tours that include a visit to Everest Base Camp, where you can witness the grandeur of the world’s highest peak. The journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp takes several days, passing through breathtaking landscapes and allowing you to acclimatize to the high altitude. It’s an extraordinary experience to see Mount Everest up close and admire its majestic beauty.
10. Can I experience Tibetan culture and traditions in Lhasa?
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- Absolutely! Lhasa is an excellent destination to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture and traditions. You can explore the Barkhor Street, a bustling marketplace where locals and pilgrims gather, offering an opportunity to witness Tibetan religious practices and purchase traditional crafts and souvenirs. Visiting Tibetan monasteries like Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery allows you to experience Buddhist rituals and interact with monks. Attending Tibetan festivals, such as the Saga Dawa Festival or the Tibetan New Year (Losar), provides a unique insight into the vibrant culture of the region.
11. What is the best time to visit Lhasa?
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- The best time to visit Lhasa is during the months of April to October when the weather is relatively mild and stable. During this period, you can enjoy comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and a lesser chance of rain or snow. However, it’s important to note that Lhasa is at a high altitude, and weather conditions can change quickly, so it’s advisable to be prepared for temperature variations and possible altitude-related effects. It’s recommended to check the local weather forecast and plan your visit accordingly.
12. How can I obtain the necessary permits to visit Lhasa?
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- To visit Lhasa, you will need certain permits, including the Tibet Travel Permit. This permit can only be obtained through a registered travel agency in China. The agency will assist you in arranging your tour and obtaining the required permits, including the Tibet Travel Permit and any additional permits needed for specific areas or activities. It’s essential to plan your visit in advance and work with a reputable travel agency to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience while adhering to the necessary regulations and permit requirements.
🎫 Book your train tickets or flights from Hanoi to Lhasa + Schedule:
(You can change your departure or arrival place, eg. Nanning > Xian, Xian > Lhasa…)