Cheap flights from London to Beijing
Compare live prices on the London to Beijing route across British Airways, Air China and 15 trusted booking sites. Every fare side-by-side, so you book wherever it's cheapest — direct with the airline or via a partner agent.
Cheapest months to fly London to Beijing
When fares typically dip — and when to brace for peak pricing on the LHR → PEK route.
Route at a glance
Airports on this route
What to expect on arrival and how to get into town.
- Distance24 km (15 mi) west of central London
- Terminals5 terminals
- TransportHeathrow Express to Paddington (15 min), Piccadilly Line, Elizabeth Line
- Distance32 km (20 mi) northeast of central Beijing
- Terminals3 terminals
- TransportAirport Express to Dongzhimen (Line 2 transfer)
Airlines flying LHR → PEK
All major carriers operating scheduled service on the London to Beijing route.
British Airways (BA)
Air China (CA)
Planning your London to Beijing trip
The London to Beijing route covers roughly 8170 kilometres with a typical flight time of 10h 30m, and the time difference on arrival is +8h. Non-stop available, so you can pick a routing that suits your schedule. The carriers that operate this corridor — including British Airways, Air China — compete on price most aggressively in the shoulder months when demand is moderate, which is usually when meta-search engines surface the cheapest fares.
Pricing on London to Beijing fluctuates throughout the year, but the pattern is consistent enough to plan around. Cheapest fares typically appear on Tuesday and Wednesday departures — leisure traffic clusters around Friday-to-Sunday, business travel on Monday and Thursday, leaving the midweek slots underpriced. If your dates are flexible by even a day or two, that flexibility is usually worth more than any specific booking trick. The "cheapest months" strip above shows how seasonal demand shapes fares on this specific route.
For the booking window itself, the sweet spot depends on the length of the flight. On long-haul routes the cheapest fare buckets typically open 11 months ahead and sell out 8–16 weeks before departure, so booking inside that window catches the lowest available bucket without paying the closer-in premium. On short-haul, that window compresses to 3–8 weeks. Booking dramatically further out is rarely cheaper because airlines withhold cheap inventory until the demand picture firms up.
Once you arrive in Beijing, you'll be paying in CNY. Your card may add a non-sterling transaction fee of 2–3%, so a fee-free travel card can save real money if you're spending much locally. Power sockets, language and the visa requirements for UK passports are summarised in the "Destination guide" panel further down — worth a glance before you fly.
Exmoway compares prices on this route across airlines and 15+ trusted booking partners side-by-side. Sort by price, duration, or stops; filter by airline or departure-time window; or set a price alert and let us notify you when a fare drops below your target. We don't sell tickets ourselves — when you find the price you want, we send you direct to the airline or agent's checkout, with no booking fee from us.
Booking tips for London to Beijing
Book at the right window
For London to Beijing, the sweet spot is typically 6–10 weeks before departure. Last-minute bookings are usually the most expensive on this route.
Fly midweek
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than Friday or Sunday. Even shifting by one day can save 15–25% on London to Beijing fares.
Set a price alert
Prices fluctuate daily. Set a price alert on Exmoway and we'll notify you when the London → Beijing fare drops below your target.
Compare cabin classes
On London to Beijing, premium economy can be only 50–80% more than economy and includes a checked bag plus more legroom. Worth a look on long-haul.
Mind the all-in price
Headline fares often exclude bags and seat selection. A £30 cheaper fare on a low-cost carrier can become £30 more expensive once you add a 20kg bag.
Try ±3 days
Shifting your departure by a couple of days regularly cuts London to Beijing fares by 20% or more. The price strip on the search results page makes this quick to scan.
Beijing at a glance
Practical info for travellers landing in Beijing — what you'll need on arrival.
Top things to do in Beijing
Three highlights worth building your trip around once you land.
Frequently asked questions — London to Beijing
Which airlines fly from London to Beijing?
British Airways, Air China all operate scheduled services on the London (LHR) to Beijing (PEK) route. Compare live prices across all of them on Exmoway — the cheapest option changes daily.
How long is the flight from London to Beijing?
The typical flight time from London to Beijing is around 10h 30m. Non-stop journeys are at the shorter end; flights with a connection depend on the layover length.
Are there non-stop flights from London to Beijing?
Non-stop available on the London to Beijing route. Use the "non-stop only" filter on the Exmoway results page to see only those options.
How far is the London to Beijing flight?
The great-circle distance from London to Beijing is approximately 8170 km (5077 miles). Actual flown distance is a touch longer due to routing and air-traffic constraints.
What's the time difference between London and Beijing?
Beijing is +8h from London. Plan sleep and meals around your arrival time to make adjusting easier — your direction of travel matters too (eastward flights tend to feel rougher than westward).
When is the cheapest time to fly London to Beijing?
Midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are typically the cheapest. Booking 6–8 weeks ahead and avoiding the July–August and late-December peaks usually gets you the lowest fares on this route.
How far in advance should I book?
For short-haul flights, 3–6 weeks ahead is the sweet spot. For long-haul London to Beijing flights, aim for 8–16 weeks ahead. Set a price alert on Exmoway if your dates are flexible.
Where do I actually book?
Exmoway compares prices across airlines and booking agents, then sends you straight to the cheapest site to complete the purchase. We don't sell tickets ourselves, so you always book directly with the airline or a trusted third-party agent. We never take payment.
More flights from London
Other popular routes departing London.
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Compare London to Beijing flights →⚠ Prices shown are live estimates from our agency partners — Exmoway aims to keep them as close as possible to the final price, but the exact amount is set by the booking agency at checkout. Always confirm the final price with the agency before paying. Exmoway is not involved in the booking or payment.