Flights to Beijing
Best student & youth fares right now to Beijing
Think a holiday to Beijing isn’t in your budget? Think again! With our student and youth discounts on flights, anyone under 26 can score cheap tickets to Beijing. Start searching now to see what's on offer!
Student flights from the UK to Beijing
A trip to Beijing will be a holiday experience UK students and young travellers will never forget! From walking the Great Wall of China to visiting the Forbidden City and seeing giant pandas at the Beijing zoo, there’s plenty of ways to experience Beijing’s unique culture. Indulge yourself in the rich history and the delicious food whether you’re staying for a few weeks or several months. Plus, with our cheap student flights to Beijing, your trip just got a whole lot easier.
Keep updated on upcoming sales and promo codes for flights to Beijing when you sign up for our newsletter. And keep reading for more tips on the best time to visit Beijing, when to book flights to Beijing and more!
What are the main Beijing airports, and how do I get from them to central Beijing?
The primary international airport in Beijing is Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Although almost all flights from the UK to Beijing will arrive at PEK, Beijing’s new international airport will welcome some flights from the UK. Beijing Daxing International AIrport opened in October 2019.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Beijing’s primary capital international airport is PEK, located about 20 miles from the city centre. International flights will arrive at Terminals 2 and 3. Since it’s such a busy airport, it’s important to allow at least 3 hours to complete security checks and customs.
The Airport Express train will take you from the airport to the city centre. It arrives at both international terminals about every 15 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 25 RMB (£2.80) and of course, you can always take a taxi as well.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX): The new Beijing Daxing Airport has opened with limited operations in October 2019. Although it’s servicing both international and domestic flights, the only flights from the UK that may arrive there at first will be flights from London on British Airways. Most other flights will arrive in PEK.The airport will have additional trains to connect to downtown as well.
How to fly from the UK to Beijing
You can find direct flights from the UK to Beijing easily when flying from London Heathrow or Manchester. You can also find connecting flights from other airports in the UK. Some of the most popular airlines for flights from the UK to Beijing are China Southern, Hainan Airlines and Air China.
Keep scrolling to check out these cheap direct flights to Beijing from London Heathrow and Manchester, with more connecting flights from other airports.
Cheap flights to Beijing
from London Heathrow (LHR)
Average flight duration
9h 40m direct, 12h+ connecting
Average return flight cost
£640
Number of weekly/daily flights
There are 25+ direct flights each week from London Heathrow to Beijing, with many more connecting flights.
Cheap flights to Beijing
from London Gatwick (LGW)
Average flight duration
15h+ connecting
Average return flight cost
£640
Number of weekly/daily flights
There are many connecting flights from London Gatwick to Beijing weekly.
Cheap flights to Beijing
from Manchester (MAN)
Average flight duration
10h direct, 13h+ connecting
Average return flight cost
£550
Number of weekly/daily flights
There are about 3 direct flights each week from Manchester to Beijing, with many more connecting flights.
When is the best time to fly to Beijing?
Overall, Beijing is quite a good place for year-round travelling. However, many students enjoy travelling to Beijing the most in the spring and fall. In March-April and September-October the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds than usual. Summers in Beijing are often quite humid and rainy, so bring a light raincoat or umbrella if you’re planning a summer holiday.
In any case, you might want to avoid visiting during major public holidays (unless you’re visiting to take part in the holiday itself, of course), as crowds can be overwhelming during these times. Popular holidays to make note of include Chinese New Year (early February), Mid-Autumn Festival (mid-September) and festivals during early October.
When is the cheapest time to book a flight from the UK to Beijing?
Prices based on bookings made 60-91 days prior to departure.
Why do British students love visiting Beijing?
Beijing universities and campuses
Although there are plenty of universities to study in while in Beijing, Tsinghua University and Peking University are two of the top. Both of these universities are located in the well-known Haidian District. This university town is packed with energetic nightlife, delicious street food and plenty of things to do. Peking University is the top liberal arts college in China, while Tsinghua is known best for its business school. Both universities also have strong scientific research.
Your university’s study abroad office may also have more information about programs in China that are available to you.
Beijing lifestyle and culture
You may find Beijing’s pace of life similar to London, since it’s such an energetic and lively city, with plenty of buzz and things to do. Students from the UK often find life in Beijing exciting and fast-paced, but with a totally new culture. Many local students in China enjoy going to bars or KTV (karaoke) at night. And of course, don’t miss out on the chance to try some of the street food as well as local specialties, like Peking Roast Duck!
Exploring Beijing on a student budget
Exploring Beijing on a student budget? Of course! It’s easier than you think, with Beijing’s free things to do, parks and museums to visit. The world-famous Tiananmen Square, at the heart of Beijing, is free and it’s the perfect place to people-watch and see some of Beijing’s most important buildings. Wangfujing has delicious street food. And there are plenty of free museums as well! Check out the National Art Museum of China, the China National Film Museum and the Beijing Museum of Natural History. For a bit of quiet, head to the Purple Bamboo Park—it’s the perfect escape.
Frequently asked questions about flying from the UK to Beijing
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