Cheap flights from Glasgow to Beijing

Book well ahead for this long route, because the cheaper fares are usually the first to sell and the late options are rarely kind to your budget. February is the cheapest month in the dated price calendar, while the weeks around school holidays and Christmas are the ones to avoid if your dates can move. Midweek departures often leave more choice than weekend ones, and the destination's summer can make the popular weeks tighter. Check the calendar for your own dates rather than assuming one season is always cheaper.

The fare inclusions vary as much as the routes, so start by checking what is included at the basic level and where the extras are priced. The airlines on this route are Easyjet, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, KLM Cityhopper, Aer Lingus, Emirates, BA CityFlyer, Qatar Airways and British Airways, and their tickets range from a simple base fare with paid add ons to fares that wrap more into the price. Compare the same journey on each carrier, because a lower headline fare can grow once bags, seats and meals are added. Read the rules before you pay, especially on itineraries with a change of planes.

Arrange your onward transport before you land, because both Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International sit well outside the centre and the late evening links are not generous. The usual ways into town are airport rail or metro connections, official taxis and pre booked cars, with journey times that shift with terminal, traffic and time of day. Check which airport your ticket names, since the two are on different sides of the city and moving between them takes real time. Keep your passport and entry details ready for arrival checks, and allow extra buffer for immigration queues.

Currency

CNY (¥)

Power sockets

Type A, C, I · 220 V

Language

Putonghua

Emergency number

110, 119, 120

Driving side

right

Calling code

+86

Internet domain

.cn, .中国

Population of Beijing

21.9 M (2020)

Time zone

UTC+08 (Asia/Shanghai)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check the entry rules and visa requirements for China before you book, and make sure your passport validity covers the whole trip.
• Confirm which Beijing airport your ticket uses, since Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International are far apart.
• Read the fare rules for baggage, seats and meals, since included items change from one airline to another.
• If your itinerary uses separate tickets, check the minimum connection time and who is responsible for a missed flight.
• Compare dates in the price calendar, because February and the months around school holidays or Christmas can differ sharply.