Travelling from Seattle to Beijing: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering the departure point for your flight from Seattle to Beijing. Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE) are the main airports in Seattle.
Arrive in Beijing at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
Hop on a direct Seattle to Beijing flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 13 hours 20 minutes.
Beijing's timezone is UTC+8, making Beijing 16 hours ahead of Seattle.
With two weekly flights between the two airports, Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is the busiest route. Hop on the first flight from Seattle to Beijing with Hainan Airlines at 11:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest flight from SEA to PEK is with Hainan Airlines at 11:40.
To ensure you make it on your Seattle to Beijing flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a popular month like July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Beijing
To snag cheap Seattle to Beijing flights, reserve your journey three months ahead of your departure date.
August is the best month for scoring an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Seattle to Beijing. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Getting a cheap flight from Seattle to Beijing is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Seattle to Beijing flights.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
You can get a direct flight from Seattle to Beijing leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Begin your journey at SEA and land at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK).
Be on the lookout for promotions with Hainan Airlines. This carrier offers direct Seattle to Beijing plane tickets from SEA.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing Seattle to Beijing flights leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
SEA is around 19 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Seattle to Beijing, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 80% of flights that depart SEA land on time.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Seattle to Beijing. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Grab a Beijing Capital Airport rental car and discover corners of Beijing that are off the usual tourist route. Browse the options available from Hertz.
To get the lowest possible price, book your ride from Beijing Capital Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Rates generally rise closer to the day of travel.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
The centre of Beijing is around 40 kilometres from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). As soon as your flight from Seattle to Beijing has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 45 minutes or so.
After your flight from Seattle to Beijing, unwind at a hotel near PKX. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Beijing
August is the busiest month for flights from Seattle to Beijing. To escape the crowds, visit Beijing in March.
Book a Seattle to Beijing ticket departing in June if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Beijing to range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Seattle to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC (12ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF).
More about Beijing
Start your Beijing trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Seattle to Beijing, check out our range of accommodation options including:
The Palace Museum and Temple of Heaven are a couple of major attractions to put on your Beijing to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Tiananmen Square.
Explore more of China
Beijing has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of China waiting to be discovered. Around 113 kilometres southeast of Beijing, a visit to Tianjin will keep you busy. Check out popular attractions like Hai River, China Ancient Castle and Tianjin World Financial Centre.
If you want to check out another major destination in China, head for Tai'an, about 418 kilometres south of Beijing. Daguan Peak, Tai’an Fantawild Adventure and Taishan West Lake are highlights.