Cheap Flights to Beijing

How long is the flight to Beijing?

If you're travelling from Johannesburg, you'll find direct flights from OR Tambo International Airport in around 17h 45min, while flights with a single stopover generally take closer to 20h. If you're flying from Cape Town, your single stopover flights will take between 20h and 22h. Flying from Durban? King Shaka International Airport offers Beijing flight deals with multiple stopovers in under 22h.

Are there non-stop flights to Beijing?

There are multiple direct flights to Beijing, China, from South Africa, though the only airport offering direct Beijing flight deals is in Johannesburg. Direct flights from Johannesburg will leave from OR Tambo International Airport and arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing. If you’re travelling from Cape Town, you can expect flights with a single stopover in places like Dubai, Singapore and Addis Ababa. When travelling from Durban, you can expect flights from King Shaka International Airport to have routes with a stopover in Dubai, or flights with multiple stops starting in Johannesburg and moving to Singapore or Dubai before heading to Beijing.

How do you get from Beijing airport(s) to the city centre?

Beijing Capital International Airport is located a short distance away from the city centre and offers a couple of transport options for you to get from the airport to the centre of the city of Beijing. The Airport Express Line train is one of the quicker options; it leaves from Terminal 2 and 3 and will take around 20min to reach the centre of the city. The airport shuttle bus stops at all three terminals and will take you to the centre of Beijing in around 1h 10min, costing a little less than the train. You will find airport taxis outside the terminals. You can expect to find metered taxis that will take you to the city in roughly 40min, while you can also rely on local taxi apps to provide transport from the airport and in and around the city.

What are some things to do in Beijing?

Beijing is China’s capital city, most well-known for its modern architecture and ancient sites that include places like the Forbidden City, which is home to the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasty. One of the most popular places to visit when getting to China is the Great Wall of China, with the Badaling Great Wall being the closest section to Beijing. Tiananmen Square is often toured at the same time as The Forbidden City. If is one of the largest squares in the world and is home to Chairman Mao’s tomb, the National Museum, the People’s Monument, and the Railway Museum. Take a trip to Houhai and jump on a boat to tour the artificial lake surrounded by shops and tea houses. For your shopping and cuisine needs, make your way to Pipe Street and meander along while trying the local snacks. Pipe Street is one of the busiest sections of the Hutongs lined with thrift stores. The Temple of Heaven is another must-see in Beijing with local attractions like the Altar of the Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault, and the echo walls. Check out Lama Temple to explore the resident place of the eunuchs during the Qing dynasty.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Beijing?

South African passport holders will need to apply for a visa to visit Beijing in China before arrival. You can apply for a visa through a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre closest to you. The processing time is generally around seven working days. A single entry visa will allow you to stay for up to three months. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your expected date of arrival, and it will need two blank pages.