Finding cheap flights to China doesn’t have to be hard. With so many flight comparison tools and strategies available, scoring a great deal is easier than you think. In this guide, I’ll show you how to find the best flight deals to China, when to book, which airlines to consider, and some regional options to keep in mind.
Book at the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to flights. Don’t book too early but don’t wait too long either. The sweet spot for international flights is usually 2-3 months before departure.
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If you’re flying during peak seasons like Chinese New Year or the Golden Week holidays, book at least 4-6 months ahead to avoid skyrocketing prices.
Track Prices Regularly
The price of flights can fluctuate a lot. Set up price alerts using tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to get notified when prices drop. You can track multiple dates to find the best deal.
Best Days to Book
There’s a trend where flights are generally cheaper on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Try to avoid booking over weekends, since prices tend to surge as more people are searching and booking flights then.
Use the Right Flight Comparison Tools
Nowadays, there are multiple websites and apps that will help you compare prices across different airlines. This saves a lot of time and often gives you a broader view of your options.
Top Flight Comparison Tools
- Google Flights: One of the best tools for tracking flight prices. You can search by city or explore by date to find the cheapest time for your trip.
- Skyscanner: It searches across multiple airlines, giving you both direct and connecting flight options.
- Momondo: Another great search engine for finding cheap flights to China, especially if you’re open to flying with less well-known airlines.
- Hopper: It predicts whether you should book now or wait for a better price. This is a valuable feature if you’re not in a rush to book.
Each of these tools comes with features like fare tracking, flexible searches, and filtering options to refine your flight search by layovers, stops, or even preferred airlines.
Be Flexible with Dates
Flexibility is key when it comes to getting lower fares. Sometimes, flying a day before or after your preferred travel date can save you hundreds of dollars.
If your schedule allows, use the “whole month” view option on platforms like Skyscanner or Google Flights. This is particularly helpful for picking the cheapest day to fly.
Fly Mid-Week
Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays is usually much cheaper than weekends. If you can adjust your trip to skip over the high-demand days, you can often find much better deals.
Look for Alternative Airports
China has multiple major airports, and flying into or out of an alternative airport can save you money. The top international entry points are Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), and Shenzhen (SZX).
Don’t Limit Yourself to One City
If your destination is flexible, check flights to nearby cities. For example, if you’re flying to Beijing but can’t find a good deal, try looking for flights into Tianjin (TSN) or even Dalian (DLC). From those cities, it’s easy to either drive or take a cheap domestic flight.
Consider Budget Airlines
China has several budget airlines that fly both internationally and domestically. They can be a good option if you don’t mind fewer perks like meals or entertainment.
Popular Low-Cost Airlines for China
- Sichuan Airlines: A decent choice for flights within China and some international routes.
- China Eastern Airlines: Another affordable option, with discounts often available on long-haul flights.
- Spring Airlines: This is China’s largest budget airline, with both regional and domestic flights.
- AirAsia: If you’re flying in from Southeast Asia, AirAsia often has great deals to Chinese cities.
Keep in mind that low-cost airlines often don’t include baggage fees in the initial ticket price. Make sure to check what’s included before booking to avoid surprises.
Check for Layovers
Nonstop flights to China are usually more expensive than those with layovers. If you want to save some cash, consider a connecting flight. Airports like Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT), or Hong Kong (HKG) are popular layover spots that might reduce your overall costs.
Plan Layovers Wisely
If you have the time, look for layovers that give you the chance to explore another city for a few hours or even overnight. Keep in mind though that long layovers are usually reserved for discounted flights, so weigh the price against the comfort of a faster nonstop route.
Use Frequent Flyer Miles or Points
Frequent flyer programs can help you save tons of money, especially on long-haul flights like those to China. Even if you don’t have enough points for a free ticket, you can often use miles to drastically lower the cost.
Best Frequent Flyer Programs for Flights to China
- United MileagePlus: United partners with Air China, so you can often redeem miles on either airline for flights to China.
- American Airlines AAdvantage: American has partnerships with Cathay Pacific, providing lots of options for flights to China, especially via Hong Kong.
- Delta SkyMiles: Delta’s partnership with China Eastern Airlines makes it another solid option for points redemption to/from China.
If you’d like to start earning miles, lots of airlines offer signup bonuses for their frequent flyer cards. Even if you don’t fly often, these bonuses can provide enough miles for a free or heavily discounted flight to China.
Reconsider In-Flight Luxuries
Do you really need to fly business class? For flights to China, economy class or even premium economy is usually more than enough. While business and first class provide lots of comfort, they also cost many times more than economy class tickets.
Premium Economy: The Perfect Compromise
Don’t like flying economy? Premium economy offers more legroom, better service, and still comes at a fraction of the price of business class. This is a great option when you want more comfort but don’t want to break the bank.
Take Advantage of Airline Sales
Many airlines run flash sales or discount promotions. Sign up for the email newsletters of airlines that fly to China. You’ll get notified of upcoming deals and offers that can save you hundreds of dollars.
Subscribe to Flight Deal Newsletters
If you don’t want to research every airline, you can subscribe to newsletters like Scott’s Cheap Flights or Secret Flying. They compile the best deals from various airlines, including deals to China.
Regional Air Travel in China
Once you’ve arrived in China, getting around is easy thanks to the country’s extensive domestic flight network. Airlines like Air China, China Southern, and Hainan Airlines cover most major cities at competitive prices.
You can book cheap flights between popular cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu without worrying too much about price. Keep an eye out for flash sales on domestic flights too.
High-Speed Rail: An Alternative to Domestic Flights
China has an impressive high-speed rail network. For shorter routes, like Beijing to Shanghai, taking the train might be cheaper and even more convenient than flying. It’s usually faster when you factor in airport security and waiting times.
Conclusion
Finding the best flight deals to China requires a bit of planning and flexibility. By using price comparison tools, tracking fares, and considering various airlines and layovers, you can save a lot. Stay updated on airline sales, consider frequent flyer programs, and explore low-cost domestic options once you’re in China. Every dollar saved on flights is a dollar you can spend exploring one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
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