Flying from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Beijing: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing and you'll be traveling for an average of 11 hours 5 minutes.
London Gatwick Airport is located in London. Following the UTC+8 timezone, Beijing is eight hours ahead of London.
With four weekly departures between the two airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the most popular route. Hop on Air China's 11:35 flight to get your trip from LGW to PEK underway.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your LGW to Beijing flight.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct London Gatwick Airport to Beijing ticket. Begin your trip at LGW and land at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
Air China is a well-known airline that offers direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight ticket from LGW to Beijing. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
LGW is around 40 kilometers from central London. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take you 1 hour 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 30 minutes.
Booked an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near LGW:
Of all flights departing from London Gatwick Airport, 69.26% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Beijing
The lowest price we've found for a one-way London Gatwick Airport to Beijing flight is $314. The cheapest price for a return flight is $639. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book two months before traveling. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from LGW to Beijing.
June is the best month for picking up a fantastic deal on London Gatwick Airport to Beijing tickets. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from LGW to Beijing by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing.
Airports in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the center of Beijing takes around 40 minutes by car. The center is roughly 31 kilometers away.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing. Book one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Grab a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car and explore corners of Beijing that most visitors tend to miss. You can book your wheels with Hertz.
To lock in the best rate, book your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from LGW to Beijing. Prices typically go up closer to your day of departure.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX) is around 56 kilometers from the center of Beijing. Once you've hopped off your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
There are some comfortable places to rest your head close to PKX. Settle in and get cozy after your LGW to Beijing flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Beijing
Carefully consider your trip dates before booking your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing. The city comes alive during peak season, but rates are generally higher and top attractions can get crowded. Plan your trip to Beijing in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
Lock in a London Gatwick Airport to Beijing flight ticket with a departure in July to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -11ºC (12ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LGW to Beijing around that time if you like traveling in cooler conditions.
More about Beijing
Start your Beijing trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Beijing, check out our range of accommodation options including:
Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Beijing must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Tiananmen Square.
Explore more of China
Tianjin is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Beijing. Around 113 kilometers away to the south-east, popular attractions include Porcelain house, Haihe River and Italian Style Town.
Around 418 kilometers south of Beijing, Tai'an is another essential stop in China. No visit is complete without checking out Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave.