Flying from Los Angeles to Beijing: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Los Angeles to Beijing. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are Los Angeles's main airports.
Arrive in Beijing at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
Around 14 hours 40 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Los Angeles to Beijing flight.
The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8, which is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
With seven flights a week between the two airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Los Angeles to Beijing with Air China at 12:20. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last departure from LAX to PEK is with United Airlines at 23:45.
Leave enough time to catch your Los Angeles to Beijing flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Beijing
To pick up cheap Los Angeles to Beijing flights, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Los Angeles to Beijing is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest fares across every month and score an incredible deal.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Beijing by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Save money on your Los Angeles to Beijing flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Set off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Beijing. From LAX, you can land directly at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK).
Lock in your Los Angeles to Beijing plane tickets with Air China. This airline is a popular option for direct flights from LAX.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing Los Angeles to Beijing flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Los Angeles International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Beijing, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Los Angeles International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 80% of flights that depart LAX land on time.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles to Beijing, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near PEK:
Pick up a Beijing Capital Airport rental car and explore parts of Beijing that aren't in every guidebook. Find your perfect set of wheels with Hertz.
Give yourself a better shot at snagging a great deal by booking as early as you can. Reserving your vehicle from Beijing Capital Airport several weeks in advance is a wise move.
The street address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
The centre of Beijing is around 40 kilometres from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Beijing has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 50 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 45 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near PKX. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Los Angeles to Beijing:
Best time to go to Beijing
August is the busiest month for flights from Los Angeles to Beijing. To skip the crowds, go to Beijing in March.
The warmest month in Beijing is June, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 37ºC (99ºF). Book your Los Angeles to Beijing ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Beijing in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF) on average.
More about Beijing
Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Beijing, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Beijing:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. The Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are must-visits when exploring Beijing.
Explore more of China
Beijing has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of China waiting to be explored. Around 113 kilometres southeast of Beijing, a visit to Tianjin will keep you busy. Start with attractions like Hai River, China Ancient Castle and Tianjin World Financial Centre.
Tai'an is another sought-after destination in China and is around 418 kilometres south of Beijing. No journey is complete without dropping by Daguan Peak, Tai’an Fantawild Adventure and Taishan West Lake.