Tsurphu is 70 kilometres northwest of Lhasa, reached by a road that turns off the main highway at the Tolung River and follows the valley up for about 20 kilometres. Minibuses to Tsurphu depart from the area near Barkhor Square in Lhasa in the early morning; the journey takes about 90 minutes each way. Hired vehicles are also an option and allow more flexibility with timing.
The most common approach is as a day trip from Lhasa: depart early, reach the monastery by mid-morning, spend two to three hours exploring, and return in the afternoon. Some visitors combine Tsurphu with Namtso Lake in a two-day itinerary, as both lie roughly northwest of Lhasa and the routes diverge from the same road. All visitors to Tibet must have a Tibet Travel Permit; no additional permits are required for Tsurphu beyond the standard one.