How much does it cost to travel to Lhasa?
You should plan to spend around $72 (¥511) per day on your vacation in Lhasa. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $27 (¥189) on meals
- $2.60 (¥19) on local transportation
- $79 (¥564) on hotels
A one week trip to Lhasa for two people costs, on average, $1,003 (¥7,160). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Lhasa has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Lhasa expensive to visit?
Lhasa is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in China, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Lhasa is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Yangshuo or Puerto Princesa.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Lhasa Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Lhasa?
The average Lhasa trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Lhasa travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
¥564
($79)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
¥19
($3)
|
|
Food 2
|
¥189
($27)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
¥123
($17)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
¥25 -
75
($4 - 11)
|
Accommodation Budget in Lhasa
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Lhasa is $40 (¥282). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Lhasa is $79 (¥564). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Lhasa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Lhasa is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $2.60 (¥19) per person, per day, on local transportation in Lhasa.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.60
¥19
How much does it cost to go to Lhasa? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Lhasa will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Lhasa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Lhasa can vary, the average cost of food in Lhasa is $27 (¥189) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Lhasa should cost around $11 (¥76) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Lhasa is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$27
¥189
Entertainment Budget in Lhasa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Lhasa typically cost an average of $17 (¥123) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$17
¥123
Alcohol Budget in Lhasa
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $7.01 (¥50) on alcoholic beverages in Lhasa per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$7.01
¥50
Lhasa On a Budget
Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Lhasa's high elevation gives it a cool, semi-arid climate. The winters are cold and the summers are mild. The city actually sits in a valley so it is protected from extreme temperatures and strong winds. The coldest month is January when the average temperature is about 29 degrees Fahrenheit and the warmest month is June when the average is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. July through August is the rainiest season, but the rain falls mostly at night so this is a good time to visit.
Travel restrictions for foreigners to Tibet are constantly changing. You must thoroughly research current restrictions prior to your trip, and continue to follow current events during your travels. Restrictions can be subject to sudden and abrupt changes.
Sights
There are many sites within Lhasa but the most famous, and most frequently photographed, is the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century AD and has been enlarged several times since. It is now a beautiful four story building in the Barkhor Square.
Other sights around Lhasa include the Potala Palace, the Norbulingka Summer Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, the Tibet Museum and the Barkhor Street market. The Barkhor Street Market encircles the Jokhang Temple and has many vendors selling fascinating Tibetan items. Bartering here can be a fun experience, as is people watching. This area makes up a major part of the kora, or walk around the temple that worshipers make during prayer.
Neighborhoods
There are areas that have a distinctly Buddhist and Tibetan feel, while in other neighborhoods it is difficult to distinguish Lhasa from any other Chinese city. There is a striking difference between the eastern and western sides of the city. Eastern Lhasa has an atmosphere that is far more Tibetan and traditional. This is most concentrated around the areas of Jokhang and the Barkhor neighborhood. Here you will find traditionally dressed locals worshiping at Buddhist shrines. There are many prayer wheels sprinkled throughout this area as well. On the western side of the city you will notice a more typical Chinese, or Han, culture. This area is more chaotic and hectic. It can be surprisingly modern and is hard to distinguish from any other Chinese city. Head to this area if you're looking for a bank or any form of official business.
Activities
There are a variety of interesting cultural activities that you can enjoy while you're in Lhasa. Langma Opera is a traditional Tibetan song and dance show that is worth experiencing. If you would like to relax, then a blind massage is available at the Medical Massage Clinic on Bijing Middle Road. This is a project of Braille Without Borders.
Food and Dining
Near the Jokhang Temple you will find some nice restauratns that offer good food. There are options that range from western cuisine to Nepali, Indian, or traditionally Tibetan dishes. One popular restaurant with backpackers is Makye Ame. It offers traditional Tibetan food and is found on the southeast corner of Barkhor Street.
Small, more traditional Tibetan restaurants are the most affordable, and more interesting option when compared to tourist restaurants. There are many Tibetan restaurants in Barkor and on the main streets to the Sera and Drepung monasteries.
Transportation
Central Lhasa is easy to walk around and most of the city's tourist sights are found in this area. It's also possible to pick up a cycle rickshaw in most places but you should negotiate the price before accepting the ride. Taxis are available as well for a fixed rate. Most taxi drivers will pick up several passengers if they find people heading in the same direction. Public buses are available, but visitors rarely use them. You can also rent bicycles at many of the city's hotels are cycle shops. This a fun way to explore the city independently.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.