Travelling from Beijing to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Beijing is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Beijing to Los Angeles departing from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
When it comes to planning your arrival in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the major entry points.
Around 12 hours 45 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Beijing to Los Angeles flight.
Los Angeles is 15 hours behind Beijing and is in the UTC-7 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Beijing to Los Angeles is from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Choose from seven services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from PEK to LAX is the 11:45 United Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final scheduled service is at 22:00 with Air China.
To ensure you board your Beijing to Los Angeles flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Los Angeles
Score cheap Beijing to Los Angeles flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Beijing to Los Angeles is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Beijing to Los Angeles.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Beijing to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Set out from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on a nonstop flight from Beijing to Los Angeles. From PEK, you can travel directly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Lock in your Beijing to Los Angeles plane tickets with Air China. This airline is a top pick for direct flights from PEK.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for Beijing to Los Angeles flights leaving from Beijing Capital International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
PEK is around 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 40 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near Beijing Capital International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Beijing to Los Angeles or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Beijing Capital International Airport, 79.67% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find PEK at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Beijing to Los Angeles flight, browse these options when taking off from Daxing International Airport:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
PKX is about 48 kilometres from central Beijing. It'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Beijing to Los Angeles? Unwind in a hotel near Daxing International Airport before your trip officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Most flights that leave Daxing International Airport reach their destination as planned. It boasts an on-time performance rate of 89%.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport will take you around 55 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to LAX if you have a late flight from Beijing to Los Angeles. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and explore Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are well-known companies to choose from here.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance of your Beijing to Los Angeles flight.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is roughly 29 kilometres from central Los Angeles. Once you've hopped off your flight from Beijing to Los Angeles, it takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near VNY. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Beijing to Los Angeles:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Van Nuys Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare availability and rates from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Generally, the sooner you book, the better the prices and selection of vehicles. Reserve your ride from VNY once your travel dates are set.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Beijing to Los Angeles. July is the busiest month for a trip to Los Angeles. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in May.
Book a Beijing to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Beijing to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Once you've booked your flight from Beijing to Los Angeles, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory and The Broad are just a couple of the big attractions to add to your Los Angeles must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, its top attractions include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
If you want to check out another great destination in United States, head for San Jose, roughly 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art are among the biggest draws.
