City in Tibet, China
Getting around Lhasa
How to get around Lhasa
Foreigners travel with a guide and driver arranged by the tour agency. Inside Lhasa, the center is walkable; taxis and buses are cheap.
Ways to get around Lhasa
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tour vehicle with guide | Part of tour price | Required for trips outside Lhasa; permits arranged by the agency |
| City bus | 1–2 CNY | Pay by QR code; routes are in Chinese |
| Taxi | About 10 CNY start | Metered and cheap in the center |
| Qinghai–Tibet Railway | Check 12306 | Scenic sleeper trains from Xining, Chengdu and Lanzhou; foreigners still need a permit |
Ride-hailing apps in Lhasa
A 5 km ride costs about ¥12–25 ($1.8–3.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Works in the city center; fewer cars than lowland cities |
- Taxis are metered and cheap in the center. Foreigners can't self-drive; trips outside Lhasa need the tour guide and permit.
Arriving in Lhasa
Lhasa Gonggar (LXA)
About 60 km from the city. Airport bus roughly 25–35 CNY, taxi about 150–200 CNY, 1 h. Tour agencies usually include pickup.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not available to visitors; use the guide's vehicle, taxis or buses.
- Driving: on the right. IDPs aren't recognised. Visitors need a temporary Chinese driving permit (up to 90 days) or a Chinese licence.
- Onward travel in China: High-speed trains link nearly every big city, often faster than flying; book with a passport on 12306 or Trip.com. Cheap domestic flights and sleeper trains cover long distances.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Lhasa?
No. Use DiDi instead.
What's the best way to get around Lhasa?
Foreigners travel with a guide and driver arranged by the tour agency. Inside Lhasa, the center is walkable; taxis and buses are cheap.
How do I get from the airport to Lhasa?
About 60 km from the city. Airport bus roughly 25–35 CNY, taxi about 150–200 CNY, 1 h. Tour agencies usually include pickup.
Is Lhasa walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Lhasa
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.