Flying from San Diego to Beijing: what you need to know
San Diego's main base, San Diego International Airport (SAN), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from San Diego to Beijing.
Arrive in Beijing at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Beijing's timezone is UTC+8, making Beijing 15 hours ahead of San Diego.
Leave enough time to make your San Diego to Beijing flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Beijing
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap San Diego to Beijing flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price in each month when looking for your plane ticket from San Diego to Beijing.
Finding a cheap flight from San Diego to Beijing is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your San Diego to Beijing flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper San Diego to Beijing flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from San Diego International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SAN is around 3 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 20 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from San Diego to Beijing or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of the departures from San Diego International Airport, 71.38% land on time at their destination.
SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to central Beijing takes about 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
Book a hotel near PEK if you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Beijing. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Venture beyond Beijing and explore places that don't always get the spotlight with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Give yourself a better shot at securing the lowest price by booking as early as you can. Reserving your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport several weeks in advance is a wise move.
The address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX) is about 40 kilometres from central Beijing. Following your flight from San Diego to Beijing, it takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
After your flight from San Diego to Beijing, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to PKX. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Beijing
February is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to Beijing, while April is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to Beijing based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a San Diego to Beijing ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Beijing to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
Look for cheap flights from San Diego to Beijing in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
More about Beijing
After booking your flight from San Diego to Beijing, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Beijing:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are highlights which should be on any well-planned Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Tianjin is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Beijing. Around 113 kilometres to the south-east, popular attractions include Ancient Culture Street, Porcelain house and Haihe River.
Tai'an is another well-known destination in China and is around 418 kilometres south of Beijing. No trip is complete without a visit to Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave.
