Cheap flights from Warsaw to Kunming

September is the cheapest month on this route, and the price calendar covers September through April, so early autumn is the moment to book if you are flexible. Winter departures are usually quieter, but the weeks around Christmas and New Year fill up quickly in both directions. The Lunar New Year period is the other stretch to plan around, since it moves a lot of seats between Europe and China. Midweek departures tend to cost less than weekend ones, and booking a few months ahead leaves you more choice of carriers and stopover cities.

No airline flies Warsaw to Kunming non-stop, so every itinerary here is a connecting one. Fly Dubai is the low-cost name on the list, which usually means you pay extra for checked baggage and meals. The rest are full-service carriers: Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Nordic Regional Airlines cover the European legs, while Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways Intl and Eva Air handle the long stretch through their hubs. On full-service tickets baggage is normally included, but the allowance depends on the fare family you pick, so read the fare conditions before you choose.

Kunming has a single international airport, set well outside the city, so allow time for the transfer after a long flight. Airport buses and taxis are the usual ways in, and a metro line links the terminal with the centre. Traffic can slow the road journey at rush hour, and the metro stops running late at night, so check the last connection if you land after midnight. Keep some local currency for the bus or taxi, and have your accommodation address written down in Chinese characters, since drivers may not read Latin script.

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 Kunming

8.5 M (2020)

Altitude

1,892 m · high altitude — take the first day slowly

Time zone

UTC+08 (Asia/Shanghai)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Decide whether you fly from F. Chopin or Modlin, since the two Warsaw airports are not interchangeable.
• Check the baggage allowance before you pay, since low-cost fares often sell checked bags separately.
• If your connection is on a separate ticket, leave a generous buffer and be ready to re-check your bags.
• Confirm your visa or transit rules for China before departure, since they depend on your nationality and where you change planes.
• Book early for the weeks around Christmas, New Year and the Lunar New Year, when seats go quickly.
• If you are flexible, aim for September, the cheapest month, or another date in the September to April window.