Flights to China from the UK start from around £399 one-way (from £549 return), with British Airways, Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Etihad all operating routes from London and other UK airports. Flight time to Beijing is roughly 10–11 hours direct. The cheapest months are typically January to March and November. Most UK citizens need a Chinese visa arranged in advance for tourism or business (unless using the 144-hour visa-free transit scheme or travelling only to Hong Kong), and fares rise sharply around Chinese New Year and Golden Week (1–7 October) so book those dates 3–6 months ahead. Compare all airlines and routes below, or call +44 7478 061159 for a live quote.
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Based on historical fare data from UK airports to China — indicative economy return prices
Direct and connecting flights from London and other UK airports to the most popular Chinese cities
Compare best airlines UK to China, from full-service national carriers to Middle Eastern connections
The most reliable direct route from the UK to Beijing and Shanghai, with 23kg baggage included, T5 lounge access and Club World business class on both routes.
China's national flag carrier, offering direct London to Beijing service with strong onward domestic connections across mainland China via PhoenixMiles.
The only carrier offering a direct London to Guangzhou service, ideal for business travellers and trade visitors heading to the Canton Fair or the wider Pearl River Delta manufacturing region.
The best-rated way to reach Hong Kong from the UK, with a direct Manchester option for northern UK travellers, and one of the world's top-rated business class cabins for longer trips.
The most convenient one-stop option for UK travellers outside London, connecting Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou via Doha.
A Skytrax 5-star rated Chinese carrier that has offered routes to secondary hub cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu, giving useful alternatives to the Beijing and Shanghai gateways.
Compare airlines on price, baggage inclusion, route coverage and service to choose the right one for your China trip
| Airline | Route Type | Baggage Included | From (one-way) | Best Routes | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways Top Pick | Direct | 23 kg incl. | £399 | LHR to Beijing, Shanghai | Reliability, Avios, Heathrow | |
| Air China | Direct | 23 kg | £409 | LHR to Beijing | Onward Chinese domestic connections | |
| Qatar Airways | Via Doha | 23 kg | £419 | Regional UK to all major China cities | Regional airports, award-winning service | |
| Hainan Airlines | Direct / seasonal | 23 kg | £439 | LHR to Shenzhen, Chengdu | Secondary hub cities | |
| China Southern Airlines | Direct | 23 kg | £449 | LHR to Guangzhou | Trade, Canton Fair, Pearl River Delta | |
| Cathay Pacific | Direct | 23 kg incl. | £459 | LHR & MAN to Hong Kong | Best business class, Hong Kong gateway | |
| Etihad Airways | Via Abu Dhabi | 23 kg | £429 | UK regional to Beijing, Shanghai | Regional connections, comfort |
Prices are indicative. Fares vary significantly by date, route and availability. Call +44 7478 061159 for live pricing on direct and connecting China routes.
The cheapest time to fly to China depends on your destination and how flexible you can be around Chinese public holidays
Outside Chinese New Year and away from Golden Week, these months consistently offer the lowest transcontinental fares of the year.
Chinese New Year (late Jan–mid Feb, varies by year) and Golden Week (1–7 October) see the sharpest fare spikes of the year on UK to China routes.
Visa appointment slots and fares both tighten fast around Chinese New Year and Golden Week — plan early.
Mild, pleasant weather across Beijing, Shanghai and much of eastern China, with lower fares than summer once Chinese New Year has passed.
Good valueHot and humid in Shanghai and Guangzhou, with UK summer holiday demand pushing fares to the year's highest levels.
Highest faresExcellent value and pleasant weather before Golden Week (1–7 October) hits, then fares spike sharply before easing again in November.
Best value (pre-Golden Week)Cold in Beijing and northern China but often the cheapest fares of the year outside Chinese New Year — a good window for southern cities like Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Cheap outside CNYPractical, proven tips for cutting the cost of your UK to China flight
Shifting your travel by a few days, or comparing Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong as your entry point, can uncover meaningfully cheaper fares to China.
A one-stop flight via Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or Helsinki can undercut a direct London departure on certain routes and dates — always compare both before booking.
These two windows see the sharpest domestic and international demand spikes within China — travelling just outside them can mean significant savings.
Rather than chasing an arbitrary "book exactly X days before" rule, aim for 8–12 weeks ahead for off-peak travel, and 3–6 months ahead for Chinese New Year, Golden Week and other high-demand dates.
Visa appointment slots can book up around peak Chinese holidays — apply for your visa as soon as your flights are confirmed rather than waiting until closer to departure.
Flying into Beijing and out of Shanghai or Hong Kong can sometimes work out cheaper than a standard return, while letting you see more of the country in one trip.
Everything you need to know before booking cheap flights to China from UK
China is one of the UK's largest trading partners, and business travel drives a huge share of UK to China flight demand. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are essential stops for manufacturing, sourcing and the biannual Canton Fair, while Shanghai and Beijing host the corporate headquarters of most major Chinese companies and multinational operations. British Airways Club World and Cathay Pacific business class are consistently preferred for the long transcontinental journey.
For UK companies without a London base, connecting via Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul on Qatar Airways, Etihad or Turkish Airlines is often the most practical and competitively priced way to reach Chinese business hubs from regional UK airports.
China's scale and diversity make it a rewarding but logistically complex destination for UK tourists. Beijing anchors most first-time itineraries with the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, while Xi'an draws visitors to see the Terracotta Army. Chengdu has become a favourite for its giant panda breeding centre and relaxed teahouse culture, and Hangzhou is celebrated for West Lake and classical Chinese gardens.
China's extensive high-speed rail network makes multi-city itineraries between Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai far more practical than domestic flying for many UK travellers, often cutting city-to-city journey times to just a few hours.
The UK is home to a significant Chinese diaspora, and visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) travel is a major driver of demand on routes to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Fujian-linked cities. Direct and one-stop options from London, along with connections via Hong Kong, make it possible to reach most major Chinese cities from the UK with a single change of aircraft.
Families travelling for extended visits should plan visa applications well ahead, as standard tourist visas typically allow single or double entry for a limited stay, with longer multiple-entry visas available for those with a strong travel history to China.
Plan your cheap flights to China around the country's biggest holidays, trade fairs and peak travel windows
The most important holiday in the Chinese calendar, triggering the world's largest annual human migration as hundreds of millions travel domestically. International fares to and from China spike sharply and hotels sell out fast. Book 3–6 months ahead.
A traditional festival for honouring ancestors, marked by a short public holiday with increased domestic travel across China.
China's largest trade fair draws tens of thousands of international buyers to Guangzhou every spring and autumn, pushing up flight and hotel demand on the Guangzhou and Shenzhen routes significantly.
A public holiday marked by dragon boat races on rivers and lakes across China, including popular events in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, with a short bump in domestic travel.
A major traditional festival for family reunions, often falling close to National Day and adding to the run-up in demand before Golden Week.
A week-long national holiday that triggers one of the two biggest domestic and international travel surges of the year in China, alongside Chinese New Year. Fares and hotel rates rise sharply around this period — book 3–6 months ahead.
The second and larger session of the Canton Fair draws a huge wave of international trade visitors to Guangzhou each October, pushing flight and hotel demand well above normal levels.
Once Golden Week has passed and before winter demand picks up, November is consistently one of the cheapest months of the year to fly to China from the UK.
Chinese New Year and other lunar calendar dates shift each year — always confirm exact dates before booking. For help planning a trip around any of these dates, call +44 7478 061159 or message us on WhatsApp.
Which UK airport should you fly from? Compare departure airports, airlines and China routes
| UK Airport | Code | Chinese Destinations (Direct) | Airlines | Route Type | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong | British Airways, Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Cathay Pacific | Many Direct | 10h–12h |
| Manchester | MAN | Hong Kong (direct); mainland cities via connection | Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad (via hub) | Direct Connecting | 12h–16h total |
| Birmingham | BHX | All major China cities via hub connection | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines | Connecting | 13h–18h total |
| Edinburgh | EDI | All major China cities via hub connection | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Finnair | Connecting | 13h–18h total |
| Glasgow | GLA | All major China cities via hub connection | Connecting via LHR, DOH, IST, AMS | Connecting | 14h–19h total |
| Newcastle | NCL | All major China cities via hub connection | Connecting via LHR, AMS, IST, HEL | Connecting | 14h–19h total |
Route availability changes seasonally. Call +44 7478 061159 for the latest schedule and fare information for your preferred UK airport.
Flying to China for business or a holiday? Here’s what each major airline allows in economy and business class
Entry requirements differ depending on your visit purpose, destination city and how long you plan to stay
China's visa rules and visa-free transit policies can change. Always verify requirements at the China Visa Application Service Centre and gov.uk before booking. TripNext does not provide immigration advice — this is general guidance only.
China isn’t just Beijing and Shanghai — explore the incredible diversity of Chinese cities accessible on flights from UK
The most searched questions about booking cheap flights to China from the UK — answered for UK travellers
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