When is the cheapest time to fly to Beijing?
If you’re looking for the best deals on flights to Beijing, it’s best to avoid flying during high season, which is from early May to the start of October. January and February often have the cheapest flights to Beijing, and you’ll find it’s less humid at this time of year – perfect for sightseeing. Autumn is also a comfortable temperature, but flights will be slightly more expensive. However, if you want to fly during this time, you could look out for a last-minute deal.
When is the best time to book flights to Beijing?
As a non-stop city, Beijing always has something going on. So, if you’re flexible on dates, we’d suggest keeping an eye on last-minute flights throughout the year. Midweek flights also tend to be cheaper, so look out for flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you can. But if your holiday dates are set in stone, try to book your flights about four months in advance.
Which UK airports offer flights to Beijing?
You can find cheap flights to Beijing from a range of UK airports. Air China and British Airways both fly direct to Beijing from London Heathrow, or you can fly direct from Manchester Airport with Hainan Airlines. If you're eager to find a good deal on flights to Beijing, it's also worth looking at indirect flights. You can fly to Beijing from other UK airports – such as Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff – but you'll have at least one stopover.
Which airlines offer flights to Beijing?
British Airways, China Air and Hainan Airlines all have direct flights from the UK to Beijing. If you'd rather break up the journey, though, other airlines are available. Budget-friendly KLM fly via Amsterdam, Lufthansa stop off in Frankfurt, and Emirates offer flights via Dubai. You can also compare flight prices with Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Air France and many more.
How long is the flight from the UK to Beijing?
A direct flight from London to Beijing takes just over 10 hours. But a flight with a stopover will take at least 12 hours.
Flying into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is about 20 miles away from the centre of Beijing. It is the hub for Air China, which provides direct flights between London Heathrow and Beijing. You can also book direct flights to Beijing from the UK with British Airways and Hainan Airways.
Getting around the airport
There are three terminals at Beijing Capital International Airport. You can travel between terminals 1 and 2 via a covered public walkway, which takes around 10-15 minutes. There are also shuttle buses that link all three terminals together.
Getting to the city from the airport
Beijing has an extensive public transport network. When you disembark from your flight, it is very easy to either take the subway or a shuttle bus into the city centre. Services are frequent and reliable. Alternatively, you could book a taxi, or hire a car from one of the many car hire companies in operation at the airport.
Why visit Beijing?
The Chinese love their food, this becomes apparent from the array of dishes on offer in Beijing. Dining out is the main social activity for locals, which explains the impressive 60,000 restaurants on offer. Book your cheap flights to Beijing and you'll find authentic cuisine from all over China.
Beijing’s historical delights are the envy of cities the world over, with six UNESCO classified world heritage sites to visit. The magical Forbidden City is unmissable and the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is also worth a visit. Here you’ll find almost 300 acres of gardens, bridges, temples, pavilions as well as the occasional shop and tea house.
The entertainment is something special too. Book seats at the Chaoyang Theatre and prepare to be dazzled by acrobats and gymnasts performing breath-taking routines. These incorporate chairs, bikes, spinning plates and, of course, their own amazing strength and flexibility. No need to worry if you book last minute flights, as there is often no need to book a spot at the spectacularly modern National Centre for the Performing Arts. Take your pick from concerts, the opera or ballet.
Beijing visa requirements
Return flights to Beijing for trips lasting less than 72 hours don’t require a visa, but you will need a visa if you're staying longer. You'll need to make sure that you have return flights to Beijing booked, or at least have an onward flight booked to show that you're planning to leave China. It's best to contact the Chinese Embassy, or the China Visa Application Service Centre, in good time before your flight to Beijing, so they can guide you through the process.
