Domestic Flights Guide
How to book and fly domestic routes in China
For trips under 1000km, high-speed rail is often faster. Factor in airport commute (1-2h each way), security (30-45min), and boarding wait time. A 2-hour flight might take 5-6 hours door-to-door, while a 4-hour train ride takes exactly 4 hours from city center to city center.
Book Flights on Trip.com, Qunar, or Fliggy
Choose the right platform for your needs
- ▸ Trip.com (Ctrip) — full English interface, accepts international cards, best for foreigners
- ▸ Qunar — Chinese interface, often cheapest, good for price comparison
- ▸ Fliggy (Alibaba's travel platform) — inside Alipay, prices in RMB
- ▸ Google Flights — good for research but you'll book through a Chinese platform
- ▸ Download the Trip.com app for booking and check-in on your phone
💡 Pro Tip: Use Trip.com as your primary platform — English support, international card payment, and 24/7 customer service. Compare prices on Qunar if you're on a tight budget, but the Chinese-only interface can be challenging.
Compare Prices — Book 2-4 Weeks Ahead
Timing matters for the best domestic flight deals
- ▸ Search across Trip.com, Qunar, and airline official websites
- ▸ Book 2-4 weeks before departure for the best rates
- ▸ Avoid booking during Chinese holidays (prices 2-3x higher)
- ▸ Mid-week flights (Tue/Wed/Thu) are typically cheaper
- ▸ Red-eye and early morning flights are cheapest
💡 Pro Tip: Set a price alert on Trip.com for your route. Prices fluctuate significantly on domestic routes. If you see a good price, book immediately — it won't last.
Enter Your Passport Number
Your passport is your ID for check-in and boarding
- ▸ During booking, select "Passport" as your ID type
- ▸ Enter your passport number exactly as it appears (no spaces)
- ▸ Enter your name in the format: SURNAME GIVEN NAME (as on passport)
- ▸ Double-check all details — mistakes can prevent boarding
- ▸ Save a digital copy of your booking confirmation
💡 Pro Tip: Chinese domestic flights use your passport number as your primary identifier. Make sure the name on your booking matches your passport EXACTLY — even small differences can cause issues at check-in.
At the Airport: Arrive 2 Hours Early
Chinese airports are large — give yourself enough time
- ▸ Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic departure
- ▸ Go to the check-in counter (look for your airline on departure boards)
- ▸ Present your passport — the agent will check you in and print a boarding pass
- ▸ Baggage: standard limits apply (usually 20kg check-in + 7kg carry-on)
- ▸ Double-check the boarding gate and boarding time on your pass
💡 Pro Tip: Most airport staff speak basic English, but have your booking confirmation ready on your phone. If you get lost, show your boarding pass to any staff — they'll point you in the right direction.
Security Check: Know the Rules
Security is thorough — prepare your bag correctly
- ▸ Line up at the security checkpoint (domestic departures)
- ▸ Remove laptops, tablets, power banks, and liquids from your bag
- ▸ Liquids: containers must be 100ml or less, all in a clear 1L bag
- ▸ Power banks: maximum 20,000mAh, must be in carry-on (NOT checked luggage)
- ▸ Remove jacket, belt, and items from pockets for the body scan
- ▸ Prohibited: lighters, matches, scissors, knives, pepper spray
💡 Pro Tip: Chinese security is strict about power banks — they check the capacity label. If your power bank label is worn off, it may be confiscated. Buy a new power bank with a clear capacity label before your trip.
Boarding: Gate Closes 15 Minutes Before Departure
Don't be late — gates close strictly on time
- ▸ After security, find your boarding gate (check the display boards for updates)
- ▸ Gates sometimes change — monitor the boards and app notifications
- ▸ Be at the gate at least 30 minutes before departure
- ▸ Gate closes 15 minutes before departure — NO exceptions
- ▸ Present your passport and boarding pass at the gate
- ▸ Domestic flights use buses to the aircraft at many airports — factor this in
💡 Pro Tip: Chinese domestic flights are punctual. If the gate says it closes at 8:15, it closes at 8:15 — not 8:16. Set an alarm on your phone for 30 minutes before boarding time.
✈️
Ready for Takeoff!
✨ For trips under 1000km, high-speed rail is often faster when you count airport commute + security time.
✨ Domestic flights often depart from airports far from city centers — factor in 1-2 hours commute.
✨ Delays are common in summer (thunderstorms) and winter (fog). Build buffers into your itinerary.
✨ Buy travel insurance that covers flight delays — it's cheap and worth it for domestic China flights.
✨ Snacks and drinks are limited on short flights. Eat before boarding if you're on a 1-2 hour flight.
Major Chinese Airlines
The Big Three — all fly domestically and internationally
- Hub: Beijing Capital (PEK)
- Largest fleet in China
- Good international connections
- Hub: Guangzhou (CAN)
- Most domestic routes
- Southern China focus
- Hub: Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
- Eastern China focus
- Good Japan/Korea links
💡 Pro Tip: All three major airlines offer English websites and apps, but the booking experience is smoother on Trip.com. For loyalty points, book directly with the airline — they all have frequent flyer programs that partner with major global alliances.