How to fly to China
Which airport to pick, where nonstop flights leave from, and the trick to gain a day.
Fly into Beijing, out of Shanghai
Search for a multi-city ticket, arriving in one city and flying home from another. You skip the trip back to your starting point and gain a day. It works the other way round too, or with Chengdu or Guangzhou.
When to book
Book as soon as your dates are fixed. Flights fill up first in July and August, at Christmas and during Chinese holidays, like Chinese New Year, the first days of May and Golden Week from 1 to 7 October. Avoid those weeks if you can.
Check your airport
Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu each have two airports. Check the code on your ticket (PEK or PKX, PVG or SHA, TFU or CTU) before you book your hotel or transfer.
Passport validity
Mainland China sets no minimum validity, but your airline or a transit country may, and Hong Kong requires six months. The safest choice is to travel with at least six months left.
Arrival card online
Since 20 November 2025 you can fill in the arrival card before your trip, on the National Immigration Administration website, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini programs. If you run out of time, you can still do it on arrival.
Visa and layovers
Many European passports, plus those of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, an exemption that for now ends on 31 December 2026. Others, such as Mexico or Colombia, need a visa. A layover in the United States also needs an ESTA or visa. Check before you buy.
Nonstop flights from your city
- Air China to Beijing
- China Eastern to Shanghai
- China Southern to Guangzhou
- Sichuan Airlines to Chengdu
- Hainan Airlines to Chongqing
- Hainan Airlines to Shenzhen
- Beijing Capital Airlines to Hangzhou
- China Eastern to Wenzhou
Cathay Pacific also flies nonstop to Hong Kong. Frequencies change by season.
- Air China to Beijing
- Air China to Shanghai
- Shenzhen Airlines to Shenzhen
Cathay Pacific also flies to Hong Kong. Otherwise, connect via Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Doha or Dubai.
- China Southern to Shenzhen
China Southern's return flight stops in Tijuana. Otherwise, connect via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver or Europe (Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt).
With a connection, for example via Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt.
With a connection, for example via Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris.
China Eastern flies to Shanghai with a stop in Auckland, same plane. Or connect via Madrid, Rome, Paris, Doha, Dubai or Istanbul.
With a connection, for example via Madrid or Paris.
Air China flies to Beijing with a stop in Madrid, same plane. Or connect via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Frankfurt or Paris.
- Air China to Beijing
- Air China to Shanghai
- Air China to Chengdu
- China Eastern to Shanghai
- British Airways to Shanghai
- Beijing Capital Airlines to Qingdao
Other Chinese airlines fly more routes. Check whether you leave from Heathrow or Gatwick.
- Air China to Beijing
- China Eastern to Shanghai
Otherwise, connect via Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong or Europe.
- Air China to Beijing
- China Eastern to Shanghai
- Delta to Shanghai
- United to Shanghai
- China Southern to Guangzhou
It is the US city with the most nonstop flights to China.
- China Eastern to Shanghai
- China Southern to Guangzhou
- Air China to Beijing
Chinese airlines fly to more Chinese cities too.
The airports
Beijing's original airport, northeast of the city, with an express train downtown.
The newest one, about 46 km south of the centre, with an express train to Caoqiao (Line 10).
Almost all long-haul flights land here. Reach the centre by metro or the Maglev train.
Mostly domestic flights. It sits next to Hongqiao high-speed rail station, handy for onward trains.
Handles most long-haul international flights, with Metro Line 18 to the city. The other airport, Shuangliu (CTU), is about 50 km away.
China Southern's hub and a good gateway to the south, for example Guilin by plane or train.
An alternative with many long-haul flights. High-speed trains to mainland China leave from West Kowloon.
Routes checked in October 2026. Frequencies change by season.