Travelling from San Diego to Beijing: what you need to know
San Diego's main base, San Diego International Airport (SAN), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from San Diego to Beijing.
When choosing where to land in Beijing, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are the primary gateways.
Beijing's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Beijing 15 hours ahead of San Diego.
To ensure you make your San Diego to Beijing flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Peak months like July or holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean longer waits at check-in and security. If you're travelling then, play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Beijing
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap San Diego to Beijing flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price in each month when looking for your plane ticket from San Diego to Beijing.
Finding a cheap flight from San Diego to Beijing is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your San Diego to Beijing flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing San Diego to Beijing flights leaving from San Diego International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located around 3 kilometres from the centre of San Diego, SAN can be reached in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Booked an early flight from San Diego to Beijing? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near San Diego International Airport:
Of the departures from San Diego International Airport, 71.38% arrive on time at their destination.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego to Beijing, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near PEK:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Beijing that most tourists miss.
Reserve your ride from Beijing Capital International Airport at least a few weeks before your trip to get the best possible rate. If you're going away during a peak period, you may want to book your San Diego to Beijing flight even earlier.
The street address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX) is roughly 40 kilometres from central Beijing. Once you've hopped off your flight from San Diego to Beijing, it takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
After your flight from San Diego to Beijing, unwind at a hotel close to PKX. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Beijing
February is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to Beijing, while April is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to Beijing based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a San Diego to Beijing ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Beijing to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
Look for cheap flights from San Diego to Beijing in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -11ºC (12ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF) on average.
More about Beijing
Start your Beijing trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Diego to Beijing, browse our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are leading attractions which should feature on any good Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Tianjin is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Beijing. Around 113 kilometres to the south-east, popular attractions include Ancient Culture Street, Porcelain house and Haihe River.
Tai'an is another well-known destination in China and is around 418 kilometres south of Beijing. No trip is complete without a visit to Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave.