Private independent travel is not allowed in Tibet. Can I take a public bus to Tibet? This is often asked by many travellers planning to visit Tibet. All the international travellers visiting Tibet must have their tour organized with a local Travel agency in Tibet. Including a Private tour guide, Private Vehicle, and Tibet travel permit.
So the answer to this question is both yes and No. here is how it is.
Suppose you are taking public buses within the jurisdiction of a town or a city. Yes, you can take the public bus. But, like in Lhasa, If a traveller wishes to take the bus to Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery or the Potala Palace. Yes, you can take the public bus. Yet you are not allowed to take the public bus outside the jurisdiction of that town or city.
No travellers are allowed to take intercity buses service. Therefore like travelling to Shigatse from Lhasa. For these routes, you will have to arrange a private vehicle with your travel agency. But upon arrival in Shigatse, if you would like to visit someplace in Shigatse, you can take the public bus.
The best example of such a case is with our special tour design for elderly people. We have the first three days free for them to stay in Lhasa city for acclimatization in Tibet on these tours. During those three initial days, we do not arrange any cars for their visit around the town. Instead, they would use buses and taxis for transportation within Lhasa.
Once when the tour starts, they would travel in a private vehicle on the tours outside of Lhasa city.