Travelling from Washington DC to Beijing: what you need to know
Organizing your flight from Washington DC to Beijing begins with finding the right airport to start your vacation. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main terminals in Washington DC.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are Beijing's chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct flight from Washington DC to Beijing is 13 hours 45 minutes. Beijing's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Beijing 12 hours ahead of Washington DC.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Washington DC to Beijing.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You will need an embassy visa for China if you hold a passport from United States and are travelling for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements can be subject to change. So before booking your cheap flights from Washington DC to Beijing, check with your airline and the destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Washington DC to Beijing. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
DCA is about 8 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 16 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 43 minutes.
Have an early flight from Washington DC to Beijing? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Rather start your trip at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? This terminal also offers nonstop flights from Washington DC to Beijing — get ready to travel straight to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
You can board a direct flight from Washington DC to Beijing with United Airlines. This is one of the main airlines that operates this route out of IAD.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Washington DC to Beijing, here's where you can stop when taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can arrive at IAD from central Washington DC in about 51 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport will take roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
It's your vacation, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Consider staying at one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to Beijing:
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is around 31 kilometres from central Beijing. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is about 40 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Washington DC to Beijing. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Once your flight from Washington DC to Beijing has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in around 1 hour and 3 minutes by car. Central Beijing is roughly 56 kilometres from Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near PKX. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Washington DC to Beijing:
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Beijing
Currently, C$651 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Beijing. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$1,117. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Washington DC to Beijing if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird discounts.
Getting cheap flights from Washington DC to Beijing is easier if you're flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to show the lowest fares across each month and snap up a great deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll be notified right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap flights from Washington DC to Beijing every day.
Use filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Washington DC to Beijing, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Beijing
July is the busiest month for flights from Washington DC to Beijing. To skip the crowds, head to Beijing in February.
When booking your flight from Washington DC to Beijing, think about the kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Beijing, with the temperature ranging from 21ºC to 35ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from Washington DC to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC and 3ºC.
More about Beijing
Once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Beijing, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Beijing:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are top attractions which should feature on any good Beijing itinerary.
Complete your Beijing trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Washington DC to Beijing to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Beijing, from the most popular car rental to the average daily price.