Lhasa Airport (LXA) and the way to Potala Palace
Lhasa Airport is officially Lhasa Gonggar International Airport and uses the code LXA. Airport buses leave from terminal T3. Most visitors arrive either by air or on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and both routes end at Lhasa, where Potala Palace stands on the Red Hill at Beijing Middle Road 35 in Chengguan.
Foreign tourists travel in Tibet as part of an organised tour with a travel agency, a guide and a vehicle. That also shapes the journey from the airport, because the agency usually arranges the transfers. If you are still planning, start with the Tibet travel permit page and then look at Potala Palace tours.
Our pick: tour with airport pickup
This tour includes pickup from Lhasa Gonggar Airport at set times on the first day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours with airport pickup in Lhasa
Packages that include airport or station transfers, permit processing and a guide, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and transfer from Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA)
Your transfer depends on how you book the trip.
Because tours in Tibet are organised, most booked packages list the pickup at the airport in their includes. One 4-day group tour in Lhasa, for example, lists pickups at 9:30, 13:00 and 16:00 on the first day and return runs at 8:30, 12:30 and 14:30 on the last day. If your package covers the airport, tell the agency your flight number so the driver is waiting. If airport pickup is not included, ask your accredited agency to arrange the transfer and guide.
Public airport buses run between terminal T3 and the city. As a foreign tourist, coordinate your arrival transport with your accredited agency before making a separate transfer booking.
If your accredited agency does not include the airport run, compare transfer prices from Lhasa Airport (LXA) on GetTransfer and confirm the booking with your agency.
Airport bus from the city
The airport bus data below comes from a notice dated 10 February 2026, so confirm the current operation before you rely on it.
From the airport to the city
The bus leaves from terminal T3, door 5, and takes about 70 minutes. The fare is 30 CNY. It departs after arriving flights once it is full, and the last bus fits the last arriving flight. If you want to get off at a particular stop, tell the driver beforehand.
From the city to the airport
The bus leaves from Niangre Road 1 and also takes about 70 minutes for 30 CNY. It runs roughly every 10 to 15 minutes. Check the first departure of the day locally before an early flight.
From the railway station area
A second airport bus starts at the LiuWu bus station, west of Lhasa railway station. It takes about 60 minutes and costs 30 CNY, and it leaves at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. Children under 14 pay half, but only at the counter.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
The train is the second way in. Tickets are personalised and need a valid passport, and you show the same passport when you board. A train ticket does not replace the permit, so keep the original documents from your agency with you and ask before boarding what will be checked. Do not assume a copy is enough.
Journey times and timetables change, so ask the agency or check the railway booking system for your date rather than relying on a fixed figure. Plan the first day after arrival gently, because Lhasa lies at about 3,700 m. See altitude sickness.
Getting around with your guide
Self-drive and car rental are not part of the picture for foreign visitors.
Agency and guide
The German Federal Foreign Office states that foreign travellers need an accredited travel agency and that transport and guide for the entire route come from the agency.
No rental car
You do not hire a car or drive yourself. Your driver and guide take you to the palace, the temples and day trips.
At the palace
Reserve your slot early on the official WeChat mini program and keep to the time window. The palace is closed on Mondays. Details are on the tickets page.
Lhasa Airport: frequently asked questions
What is the code of Lhasa Airport?
LXA. The airport is called Lhasa Gonggar International Airport.
How do I get from Lhasa Airport to the city?
Ask your accredited agency to arrange your airport transfer and guide. Public buses also run from terminal T3, door 5; the notice of 10 February 2026 gives about 70 minutes and 30 CNY.
Can I rent a car in Lhasa?
No. Foreign visitors travel with an accredited agency, a guide and a vehicle for the whole route.
Can I take the train to Lhasa?
Yes. Tickets are personalised and require your passport. Keep the permit documents from your agency in the original and clarify before boarding what will be checked.
Where does the bus from the station area start?
At the LiuWu bus station, west of Lhasa railway station. The ride to the airport takes about 60 minutes.