Flights to/from China

[FoundNanning 0]

I'll be going to my wife's interview in GUZ. I will then stay with her until she gets the Visa, and return with her. Questions regarding Airfare.

1. I will be flying from Boston. Since I have no idea exactly when I will return (and will be returning from a different city (my wife's hometown of Nanning), it looks like my only choice is a one-way ticket to GUZ. It is pretty expensive. Anyone have any ideas of where/how to obtain a cheap(er) One-way ticket from Boston to GUZ?

2. Following that, we will need 2 One-way tickets from Nanning to Boston. We will have to buy them in China. My wife has never flown before, and has no knowledge of how to find an airline "deal" in China. Again, any ideas on how we would go about finding (what will probably be a pretty last minute) One-way ticket from China back to the States?

Any and all suggestions/help is appreciated.

P.S. Just checked on CTRIP.COM to get an idea. One way tickets from Nanning to Boston are running almost $1,700.00!!!!! HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!!!!! :-)

Edited April 10, 2012 by FoundNanning

[ama537621 3]

You can look into a round trip flight then cancel the return flight portion from GUZ to Boston. When you are there for the interview check out the travel agencies that hand out fliers to everyone leaving the interview. there were some amazing deals when I was there 2 weeks ago for my Fiance's interview. Ooune was 600 dollars from GUZ to LAX.

if you joined a frequent flyer program you should have enough miles from the 2 or 3 trips to china to get a very cheap ticket back to the US. Yuan's one way ticket is $50.00. HK to Chicago.

Do not overpay for your hotel near the consulate. The hotel next to the IKEA store was around 400RMB a night with a buffet breakfast, it is about 200 yards from the consulate. I forget the name but you should be able to find it on yahoo maps.

[sanyata 16]

Also check out eLong.com for flights from Nanning to Pudong. I just did that flight and it was 1300rmb ($206) round trip! Then book the flight to the USA separately. eLong is affiliated with Expedia and I have found their prices way cheaper than CTRIP.

I just booked a flight from SF to LA to Shanghai for $1145 RT. I would think flights from Chicago would be about the same.

As others have said, round trip is usually cheaper, just remember to cancel the return trip so it doesn't come back to haunt you.

Good Luck !!!

[Pitaya 2,576]

I believe that my lady has booked domestic Chinese flights on elong. I don't know about prices...

Thanks for the GUZ hotel info.

Edited April 11, 2012 by A&B

[hawkeyez 45]

Haa. I have been looking at ticket prices as well. One way is way more expensive that both ways. I like the idea of buying a 2 way ticket and just not use the return ticket :-). I also found it cheaper to buy directly from the airline, then buy internal flights from Ctrip.com once you are there. You can fly just about anywhere in China for about 100USD so long as you book it in China.

[FoundNanning 0]

I've done this too. However, it only works if you travel light. If you bring your full International Baggage Allowance, then you'll pay dearly for baggage overage on your domestic (China) flights.

Haa. I have been looking at ticket prices as well. One way is way more expensive that both ways. I like the idea of buying a 2 way ticket and just not use the return ticket :-). I also found it cheaper to buy directly from the airline, then buy internal flights from Ctrip.com once you are there. You can fly just about anywhere in China for about 100USD so long as you book it in China.

[leishi 11]

have you tried using kayak.com and http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

[unlockingsky 94]

have you tried using kayak.com and http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

itasoftware is very useful and i bookmarked it!

[bigdog 376]

You book a round trip and reschedule the return flight, my wife travels on So China economy, I like Asiana business class but triple the price. Inter country travel is easy like on out South West. Check with a travel agent if you need to. Arriving in SF LA (are less expensive) or a recent friend of mine landed in Chicago.

[FoundNanning 0]

I can't really buy a round trip ticket, because I'm flying to Guangzhou and then back to the States from Nanning. Some people told me there are people pushing cheap airline tickets at the Embassy in Guangzhou?

[Darnell 8,478]

yup, there are ticket hawkers there for the ticket agents inside the building. some are incredible deals, some are 'the bait'.

[Eric & Jin 10]

I have always been able to find lower priced airfares into Hong Kong than into Guangzhou - so I usually fly into HK and then take the train from HK to GUZ. The train ride costs about $25 and takes you to the Guangzhou East Railway Station which is the station located within easy walking distance of the Consulate. You go through Chinese immigration/customs at the GUZ railway station, so unlike taking the bus from HK to GUZ you do not have to stop at the border. You may want to consider this as an option, if you can find a lower fare to HK than to GUZ.