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Cheap flights to China

WAS — SHA
Apr 2 — Apr 91
1 adult
Tue 2/4
Tue 9/4

Flights to China in 2024

Find the latest flights to China in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 696 021 searches and data was last updated on 28 March 2024.

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

November

Average price

R20 293

Return from

R13 989

One-way from

R8 140
High demand for flights, 8% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 1% potential price drop
Average for return flights in March 2024
From Johannesburg to Shanghai
One-way flight from Johannesburg to China

Find flights to China

Browse one-way and return flights deals to China on Cheapflights. Flight deals are based on user searches and were last updated on 28 March 2024
Explore China

Average price of flights to China by month

Plan your trip to China by taking into account the cheapest months to travel. The average price of a one-way flight to China is currently R0 while a return flight costs R0. Price data was last updated on 24 March 2024.

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to China (average of R675). Flying to China in July will prove the most costly (average of R934). There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.

January

R13 175

February

R12 778

March

R13 024

April

R15 901

May

R17 454

June

R17 473

July

R17 681

August

R16 545

September

R16 394

October

R15 239

November

R14 652

December

R16 564

Peak season:

Finding cheap flights to China can be a bit of a challenge since the country hosts an abundance of cultural and religious festivals throughout the year. Generally speaking, the busiest tourist months in China span from October through December, when the weather is hot and dry. If you’re considering visiting China during the peak season, keep in mind that you’ll have to make your arrangements quite a few months in advance if you want to avoid overpaying on late bookings.

Off season:

Depending on where exactly in China you want to go, the off season might not be the same in one part of the country as it is in another. There is a general rule of thumb that applies to finding cheap flights to China, however, and it states that the best deals are made during China’s winter months (which span from end-December through end-March). Spring (between the months of March and June) and autumn (late September through end November) are also great shoulder seasons to find discounted flights to China since this is when you’ll be able to enjoy thinner crowds and discounted accommodation rates that come hand-in-hand with the pleasantly mild weather conditions.

Temperature and rainfall in China by month

Plan your trip to China by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month.

SHA

Temperature

4 - 28 °C

If weather is an important factor for your trip to China, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 28.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 4.0 C).

When is the best time to book a flight to China?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight to China. Price data was last updated on 28 January 2024.

Again, finding the perfect time to book a flight to China may not be a single solution, this will greatly vary depending on what region you plan on visiting. Wherever it is you’re going to, make sure that you have booked your flight tickets at least four months before actually flying to China as this will help ensure you don’t overpay for late bookings. Being flexible with your travel dates is an important factor which will help you find the cheapest flights to China, regardless of what time of the year you plan on visiting the country.

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Reviews of airlines servicing China

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to China. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to China. Reviews last updated 28 March 2024.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Kenya Airways to China. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

8,1
Very Good
4 156 reviews
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

7,9
Good
1 684 reviews
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

7,9
Good
1 192 reviews
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

7,7
Good
4 553 reviews
8,3
Very Good
1 512 reviews

Comfort

8,1

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,4

Crew

8,7

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,3

Reviews

1 / 10

Everything went smoothly, the staff was friendly, the special meal was correct. It was with Singapore Airlines for the first two legs (Penang to Singapore then Singapore to LAX). The final leg of LAX to BWI was with United.

Where are the most popular flight destinations in China?

Popular flight destinations in China include Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Few countries in the world have a culture as rich and distinct as China, and even fewer destinations offer a travel experience than the one on offer in captivating China! Visitors can choose to explore the booming Beijing or Hong Kong, or they can tone things down with a more authentic experience found in the more western parts of the country. China is colossal, fiercely foreign, and dizzying at times, but there’s no denying that it is a destination that dazzles, thrills, and captivates the hearts and souls of travelers from all walks of life.

How long is the flight to China?

Johannesburg to Hong Kong 12 hours, 50 minutes

Johannesburg to Shanghai 16 hours

Which airlines operate flights to China?

Among the most popular airlines operating cheap flights to and from China are Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, South African Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Air France. Since the trip to China is very long, airlines tend to be very competitive with the rate of their flight tickets and finding a cheap flight to China might be a lot easier said than done. Keep in mind that for a slightly higher charge on airfare, you may be able to secure much more onboard comfort, which is essential during an extended flight. Be sure to measure up the packages on offer from each airline before making a call and deciding which carrier to use for your trip to China.

What is good to know if travelling to China?

  • For some serious shopping therapy and a vibrant nightlife scene, pay a visit to Hong Kong Island, a mere bus ride away from the central city lands you in this destination with its unusual mix of Western and Asian cultures.
  • Make sure you get around to seeing Beijing, China’s capital which is home to some all-star attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, parts of the Great Wall of China, and the lovely Summer Palace.
  • History buffs have to make their way to Xi’an, the ancient imperial capital of China. On show here are sites such as the Goose Pagodas, the Bell and Drum Towers, Ming City Walls, and the famed Terra Cotta Warriors!
  • How long is the flight to China?

    Johannesburg to Hong Kong 12 hours, 50 minutes Johannesburg to Shanghai 16 hours

  • Which airlines operate flights to China?

    Among the most popular airlines operating cheap flights to and from China are Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, South African Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Air France. Since the trip to China is very long, airlines tend to be very competitive with the rate of their flight tickets and finding a cheap flight to China might be a lot easier said than done. Keep in mind that for a slightly higher charge on airfare, you may be able to secure much more onboard comfort, which is essential during an extended flight. Be sure to measure up the packages on offer from each airline before making a call and deciding which carrier to use for your trip to China.

  • How to get from the airport to the city center?

    Hong Kong The quickest and easiest way to get from the airport in Hong Kong to the city center is to use the Airport Express. The bus departs every 10 minutes from the airport and will get you to the city in roughly 25 minutes. You can also take a taxi outside the airport, but they are much more expensive than the airport bus. Shanghai There are quite a few buses which operate routes between the Shanghai airport and the city, but if you’re fussy about your space, this might not be an ideal choice since the buses are often crowded. Alternatively, you can make use of the train, which should get you to the city center in about 8 minutes. Finally, visitors can also make use of the taxis parked outside of the arrival terminals, although they might not be as widely available as the train or bus services.

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Fly your favorite airline to China. Flight routes are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 28 March 2024.

Search flights to China by cabin class

Find flights to China, based on your preferred cabin class, be it economy, premium economy, business, or first class.
Business Classfrom R44 020/person
Prem Econ Classfrom R38 034/person
Economy classfrom R10 357/person
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