China Transit for Cheap Travel! Visa-Free Stay OK ♪

If you dream of traveling to Europe but are worried about your budget due to the weakening yen in 2024—and you don’t want to compromise on the quality of local activities or hotels—then you probably want to keep your airfare as low as possible.

For such travelers, using a transit through China or flying with Chinese airlines is recommended. In fact, a search for airline tickets on skyticket shows that there are many cheap tickets available with transit in China.

Even if you feel a bit uneasy about transiting through China, this article will put your mind at ease! We provide a clear explanation of how transit works at Chinese airports.

*Information as of December 2024.

About the Major Airports in China

There are over 20 cities in China that you can connect by direct flights (excluding Hong Kong and Macau). Beijing (Capital Airport/Daxing Airport) and Shanghai (Pudong) are well-known hub airports in Northeast Asia, and Guangzhou’s Baiyun Airport is also famous as a hub airport.

There are other airports in China as well, but if you familiarize yourself with these four airports in the three cities, you’ll cover most major destinations in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Rejoice! Visa-Free Entry to China is Resumed♪

Even foreign people who previously needed a visa for China (with few exceptions) can now stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

*For details, please check the website of the National Immigration Administration of China.

◆ Hong Kong and Macau are treated as special cases

Hong Kong and Macau have different visa policies from mainland China. When traveling to or transiting through Hong Kong or Macau, you can stay visa-free for up to 90 days.

Transit Process at Chinese Airports (International-to-International)

When departing and transiting through China to a third country, the process can be divided into three scenarios:

①With Through-checked Luggage
②When You Need to Pick Up Your Luggage
③When Transferring Between Airports Within the Same Metropolitan Area

①With Through-checked Luggage

When your luggage is checked through to your final destination, follow the signs marked “transfer” or “transit” upon arrival at the airport. Proceed to passport control and security screening. Please note that any open bottles (e.g., PET bottles) may be confiscated.

After passing security, head to the departure lounge for your connecting flight. Check your boarding gate and board your next flight.

②When You Need to Pick Up Your Luggage

In cases—often with different airlines that haven’t signed interline agreements or with many LCCs—where your luggage is not checked through to your final destination, you will need to go through immigration and enter China.

In this case, ensure your passport is valid for at least three months and that you hold a confirmed ticket for a connecting flight to a third country, departing within 144 hours (72 hours for places like Harbin).

Even if you are in the through-checked luggage scenario, you can leave the airport with your luggage, but be extra careful not to miss your connecting flight.

③When Transferring Between Airports Within the Same Metropolitan Area

Transit Process at Chinese Airports (International ⇔ Domestic)

For transferring to or from domestic flights, you will need to pass through immigration since you are entering China. Including luggage pickup time, expect the process to take about 1 to 2.5 hours. Fingerprinting of all ten fingers is also performed upon arrival.

Depending on whether you can check your luggage through to the domestic flight or not, ask airport staff for guidance. Also note that, even if you hold a valid visa, the final decision on entry is made by the immigration officer.

How Cheap Are Airline Tickets via China?

For example, as of July 17, 2024, a round-trip ticket from Narita to Barcelona (departing 2024/11/06 and returning 2024/11/13) is available for under 100,000 yen!

Finding non–China-based tickets under 100,000 yen is extremely challenging, so when planning a European trip, consider using Chinese airlines.

◎ Cheap Air Tickets via China to Various Places Around the World ♪

Despite the ongoing depreciation of the yen, it is not a dream to find airline tickets for under 100,000 yen via China!

Not only are these tickets great for traveling to Europe, but you can also fly to cities such as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania from Guangzhou, or Baku in Azerbaijan from Beijing.
For affordable tickets via China, be sure to check out skyticket!

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China Transit for Cheap Travel! Visa-Free Stay OK ♪