Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, lies on the border between China and Nepal, attracting adventurers and tourists from around the world. With a straight line distance of 160 kilometers from Kathmandu and 447 kilometers from Lhasa, is it possible to fly to Mount Everest? What are the nearest airports to Everest in Nepal and Tibet (China)? These are common questions for those seeking easier access to Mount Everest.

Here, we will list the closest airports to Mount Everest on each side and figure out how to get to Mount Everest by flight from both Nepal and Tibet.

Lukla Airport: Just 30 km to Everest in Nepal (The Nearest!)

Lukla Airport (officially Tenzing-Hillary Airport), located 2,860 meters above sea level in northeast Nepal, serves as the gateway to Mount Everest for trekkers and mountaineers. The straight-line distance from the airport to Mount Everest is around 30 kilometers, while the total hiking distance from Lukla Airport to Everest Base Camp in Nepal is 65 kilometers.

Since the Lukla Airport has only a short, 527-meter-long runway that is just about 20 meters wide, with a steep slope for takeoffs and a sheer drop at the end, making landings challenging, it is known as the most dangerous in the world.

As the only accessible airport around the Everest region in Nepal, Lukla Airport is a busy airport with around 20 to 30 flights landing every day. There are only flights flying between Kathmandu and Lukla.

Lukla Airport is the nearest airport to Mount Everest in Nepal.

How to Fly to Mount Everest from Nepal?

There are two options for flying to Mount Everest from Nepal. The most common route is to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport for around 30 to 45 minutes. Then, you can trek from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, which typically takes around 10 to 14 days.

Alternatively, you can take a helicopter tour from Kathmandu directly to get a quick glimpse of Mount Everest. It generally takes 1 to 2 hours and does not require any trekking. You will land at Kala Patthar viewpoint near Everest Base Camp. You can take photos and enjoy panoramic views of Everest, and then take the helicopter back to Kathmandu. It is a scenic flight that offers unique and breathtaking close-up views of the Everest. But it is more expensive as the hour’s flight always costs USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 per person.

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Shigatse Tingri Airport: 52km to Everest Base Camp in Tibet (Not Recommended)

On the northern side of Mount Everest, the closest airport to Everest Base Camp is Shigatse Tingri Airport, located about 52 kilometers from Base Camp and 48 kilometers west of Tingri County.

Situated next to the G219 National Highway, Shigatse Tingri Airport is a newly built airport that opened in 2022. Currently, there is only one flight from Chengdu to Tingri, with a layover in Lhasa for the return flight. Due to the limited flight option and irregular schedules, it is not recommended to fly directly to Tingri Airport for your Everest Base Camp tour.

Shigatse Tingri Airport is the closest airport to Mount Everest in Tibet.

Shigatse Peace Airport: Alternative Airport Close to EBC in Tibet (390km Away)

Located 390 kilometers away from the Everest Base Camp in Tibet is Shigatse Peace Airport, which is the nearest airport to Mount Everest with direct flights from the mainland of China. If you want to fly to Mount Everest directly from China, Shigatse Peace Airport could be your best choice.

Currently, three cities offer non-stop flights to Shigatse Peace Airport, namely Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an. However, only the Chengdu to Shigatse flight operates daily. Please refer to the flight schedule below for more details.

Chengdu - Shigatse Flight Schedule

Chongqing - Shigatse Flight Schedule

Xi’an - Shigatse Flight Schedule

Insider Tips:
1. The flight schedule above is for reference only. Please verify the exact schedule when planning your trip.
2. It’s rare to fly directly to Shigatse for an Everest tour, as the rapid altitude gain from mainland cities can easily cause altitude sickness.
3. If you are short on time, you can choose to leave Tibet directly from Shigatse by air after your Everest trip, which can save you two days.

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Is Lhasa Gonggar Airport far from Mount Everest?

Located 60 kilometers south of downtown Lhasa, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the main entry point for flights to Tibet, connecting the region to major cities of the mainland of China like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an, as well as offering the only international flight from Kathmandu, Nepal.

As the most important airport in Tibet, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is located about 562 kilometers from Everest Base Camp in Tibet. The drive from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Mount Everest in Tibet takes 9 to 10 hours along the scenic G318 National Highway. However, it is not suggested to rush directly to Everest Base Camp upon arrival.

The best way to reach Mount Everest after flying to Lhasa is to take an 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour, during which you can better acclimate to the altitude and enjoy all the essentials along the way.

After arriving in Lhasa, it’s recommended to rest at your hotel to allow your body time to adjust. On the second day, you can begin exploring the city’s iconic landmarks, like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and nearby monasteries. It usually takes about 2 days to visit these major sights.

Then, you can start your journey to Everest Base Camp. The drive typically takes 2 days and passes through beautiful spots like Yamdrok Lake and Shigatse, offering a scenic and enjoyable route to Everest.

After staying overnight at the Everest Base Camp and witnessing the majestic summit of Mount Everest, you will follow the road back to Lhasa. This is the most popular way to get to Mount Everest from the Tibetan side.

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More Insider Tips for Flying to Mount Everest

How you fly to Mount Everest depends on what kind of trip you want to experience. For the Everest base camp trek in Nepal, flying from Kathmandu to Lukla and then trekking to the base camp is the best choice. If you prefer to see Everest up close without trekking or hiking, then fly to Lhasa and visit the north Everest Base Camp instead.

No matter where you start your flight to Mount Everest, it is important to be aware of altitude sickness. A rapid increase in altitude can trigger symptoms of altitude sickness, so it’s recommended to spend 2 to 3 days acclimatizing in Kathmandu or Lhasa before heading to Mount Everest.

Book your flight early, especially during peak seasons. The trekking seasons in Nepal are from March to May and from September to November. During these periods, flights to Lukla can be fully booked weeks in advance. So you need to book your flight tickets as early as possible.

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet is from April to May and September to October, when there is less rainfall and better chances for a clear view of the mountain. Fortunately, flights to Tibet are not at their highest prices during these months.

If you're flying to Mount Everest from Tibet, you must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit in advance, along with a Chinese Visa. Without the Tibet Travel Permit, you can't board the flight to Tibet. Don't worry - all of our Tibet tour packages include the Tibet Travel Permit. Once you book your Everest Base Camp tour with us, we'll handle the application, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.

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Conclusion

Although you can't fly directly to Mount Everest, it's easy to reach nearby airports and travel to Everest Base Camp in Nepal or Tibet.

In Nepal, the nearest airport is Lukla Airport, just 30 km from the Southern Everest Base Camp. After taking a flight from Kathmandu, you can trek to the base camp.

On the northern side of Everest, there are two airports in Shigatse offering limited flights from the mainland of China. However, a more popular route is to fly to Lhasa first, then take the classic overland tour to the Northern Everest Base Camp.

No matter where you fly to Mont Everest, it is important to prevent high altitude sickness and make your reservation as early as possible to ensure necessary travel documents and better fares.

Headquartered in Lhasa, with a local office in Kathmandu, we, at Tibet Vista, are happy to help arrange your trip to Mount Everest. Feel free to share your travel ideas with us, and our professional consultants will tailor the perfect trip to suit your needs.