Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth, and while you can’t fly to the summit, there are airports nearby that get you impressively close.
If you’re planning to visit Everest Base Camp or want a mountain flight experience, there are a few flight paths to know about. Alternative Airlines can help you book the journey with flexible payment options.
No, you can’t fly directly to Mount Everest or land on the summit, but you can get impressively close. Here’s how most travellers do it:
So while you can't land on Everest itself, there are plenty of ways to get close by air and enjoy the view.
The closest airport to Mount Everest is Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, located about 65 km from Base Camp.
From Kathmandu, you can fly with Tara Air or Summit Air to Lukla. It's worth nothing that the availability for short early-morning flights is weather-dependent.
If you're planning to fly to Everest, most journeys start with an international flight into Kathmandu, followed by a domestic flight to either Lukla or Phaplu.
Here's a breakdown of the most common routes and airlines you can book with Alternative Airlines:
| Route | Airline(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Tara Air, Summit Air | 1+ stop to Kathmandu, then domestic flight to Lukla |
| New York to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Tara Air, Summit Air | One-stop via Doha or Dubai, then connect to Lukla |
| Toronto to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Tara Air | 1–2 stops via Europe or Middle East, then on to Lukla |
| Frankfurt to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Summit Air | Smooth transfers through Doha or Dubai |
| Paris to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Tara Air | 1–2 stop journey to Everest region |
| Dubai to Kathmandu to Lukla | Flydubai, Emirates, Tara Air | Direct to Kathmandu, then onward to Lukla |
| Delhi to Kathmandu to Lukla | IndiGo, Nepal Airlines, Tara Air | Short international leg, then Lukla connection |
| Singapore to Kathmandu to Lukla | Singapore Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Summit Air | One-stop to Kathmandu, then to Lukla |
| Sydney to Kathmandu to Lukla | Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Tara Air | Common one-stop via Southeast Asia |
| Melbourne to Kathmandu to Lukla | Thai Airways, AirAsia, Summit Air | Popular budget-friendly route to Everest |
| Los Angeles to Kathmandu to Lukla | Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Tara Air | 2-stop long-haul journey to Base Camp gateway |
| Bangkok to Kathmandu to Lukla | Thai Airways, Nepal Airlines, Summit Air | Direct to Kathmandu, then 30 mins to Lukla |
While there are no commercial flights directly to Everest Base Camp, you still have exciting options to get there by air:
All flights and tours can be booked with flexible payment options through Alternative Airlines, including Buy Now Pay Later and cryptocurrencies!
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The closest airport is Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, about 65 km from Everest Base Camp. It’s the gateway for most trekkers heading into the Everest region.
Yes. Flights operate daily from Kathmandu with Tara Air and Summit Air. These short, early-morning flights are dependent on weather and can be delayed or cancelled frequently.
Lukla is one of the most challenging airports in the world due to its short runway and mountain setting. While the airport has a strong safety record in recent years, weather conditions can make flying risky. Pilots require special certification to land there.
You can’t fly directly over the summit, but mountain flights from Kathmandu and helicopter tours get you close enough to see Everest and other major peaks up close.
The best months for flying are March-May and September-November, when the skies are clearer and visibility is better. Flights are usually scheduled early in the morning to avoid weather disruptions.
Yes. With Alternative Airlines, you can spread the cost of your flights using Buy Now Pay Later services like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm and more. We also accept PayPal, crypto, Apple Pay and traditional cards.
