Cheap flights to China

Most popular in	February	High demand for flights, 7% potential price rise
Cheapest in	June	Best time to find cheap flights, 2% potential price drop
Average price	HK$ 1,578	Price for this month
Cheapest price	HK$ 1,232	From Hong Kong to Shanghai

Cheapest prices for China flights by month

January

HK$ 1,868

February

HK$ 2,064

March

HK$ 1,577

April

HK$ 1,538

May

HK$ 1,742

June

HK$ 1,530

July

HK$ 1,703

August

HK$ 1,852

September

HK$ 1,774

October

HK$ 1,687

November

HK$ 1,577

December

HK$ 1,609

At the present moment the cheapest month to fly to China is currently June; with February being the most expensive. Prices will vary depending on multiple factors such as booking in advance, airline and departure airports and times.

When is the best time to fly to China?

Choose a month below to see average flight price and weather conditions.

+60.0%

+40.0%

+20.0%

Base

Price	1376 - 2023 HKD
Temperature	8 - 32.4 °C
Rainfall	3.8 - 44.4 mm

Flying to China in May is usually considered the best time to fly. However, you will find other deals are always available year round. July tends to be the warmest period in China so if you are looking for sun or warmer climates then look to fly around this time. August is the wettest if you need to factor this in to your plans.

When is the best time to book flights to China?

The price you pay for your flight to China may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 60 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

Days before departure

Which day is cheapest to fly to China?

The cheapest flights to China are usually found when departing on a Thursday. The departure day with the highest cost at present is Sunday.

What time of day is cheapest to fly?

At the moment, flights in the morning are likely to offer the best value for money for your China trip. A flight in the afternoon will more often than not be of higher cost.

China is more than a country. It’s a different world, a land where the civilisation dates back more than 6,000 years, the source of inventions such as paper, gunpowder, the compass and printing, and home to such wonders as the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors, the Imperial Palace in Beijing and Mount Lushan.

It is also a country that is becoming the next great superpower almost by the minute. The rate of modernisation is breathtaking, with cities such as Beijing and Shanghai under a canopy of cranes, their shapes changing almost daily. The Chinese are building the world’s longest transoceanic bridge, from Ningbo to Shanghai, the biggest dam, at the Three Gorges, and one of the world’s tallest buildings, the Shanghai World Financial Centre.

This year’s big event in Beijing, the Olympic Games, showcased this extraordinary growth. Now, keen to capitalise on China’s emergence as a holiday and business destination, several airlines offer increasingly cheap flights to China (Beijing and Shanghai) from the UK.

Search and compare: cheap flights to China

China climate

China is a very large country, with climates ranging from tropical and subtropical climates in the south to subarctic in the north and the Himalayas. The southern coast has heavy rains, with lighter rains in the west. The monsoon season lasts from July through September and affects the southern coasts. The north has warm, dry days and cool evenings while the south has cooler but more humid days.

When to fly to China

Peak season:

The peak domestic travel seasons, when the Chinese travel, include Chinese New Year, Labour Day, and National Day. The New Year occurs in January / February. The Labour Day and National Day dates vary, but are around May 1 and October 1. Hong Kong’s high season is October through December. Despite the heat and humidity, summer is the peak season for Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Off season:

Hong Kong’s off seasons are summer and winter. Conventions and trade fairs, however, book the best hotels, particularly in March and April. Winter in Beijing and Shanghai is the off season, and hotels offer substantial discounts. The best time to search for cheap flights to China is autumn when the weather is gorgeous and there are few tourists.

Getting around China

Flying is the best way to cover large distances in China. With more than 470 airports and international and regional carriers, China flights are frequent and reduced fares available. Buses are available and sometimes provide faster service than trains. Trains range in service from express with all the services to slower and no-frills.