Need to book last min (1mo) flight to Beijing, China. Any tips on savings for last min intl flights?

[munna21977]

Originally Posted by ginmqi

So due to logistics and whatnot, lets just say that a friend and I are needing to book last minute tickets to Beijing, China.

Flying out of KCMO on Aug 1 and return on Aug 10. I know this is very short notice for INTL tickets, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips/tricks/sites to get any savings possible for this very short notice INTL trip?

Most of places I checked using incognito mode Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, are showing about 2k-2.5k for roundtrip to Beijing.

Hoping at least to get below 2k at this point...

But if worst comes to worst, My upper limit is about 2.5k for roundtrip tickets.

edit: unfortunately no flexibility at all on the dates!

Fly from Chicago. Ticket Fares for Hainan Airlines are very cheap. I guess for these dates, it will be around 1400 to 1500 dollars. If you are little flexible with days (choose tuesday or wed/thu) it will be even cheaper. Hainan Airlines fly directly from Chicago to Beijing. From Kansas City, one can reach Chicago by Car, Megabus, Amtrak, Flight depending on your budget.

[lieqiang]

There is a high speed rail line between Shanghai and Beijing that takes about five hours, not sure current prices but was about $150USD.

Obviously that isn't optimal but five on the train might be faster than driving to Chicago if a Shanghai fare offers comparable savings, and the train might give you some nice unwind time.

Good luck!

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by lieqiang

There is a high speed rail line between Shanghai and Beijing that takes about five hours, not sure current prices but was about $150USD.

Obviously that isn't optimal but five on the train might be faster than driving to Chicago if a Shanghai fare offers comparable savings, and the train might give you some nice unwind time.

Good luck!

that's what I was thinking - and Shanghai has at least 2 international airports which in theory should make the route more competitive. PVG has a high speed train that leaves directly from it but I can't remember if it links up to the train route to Beijing so it might be a system of changing trains and maybe the subway - and changing trains and switching to the crowded Shanghai subway is something you don't want to experience after a 20 hour flight.