Travelling from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Beijing: what you need to know
The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8. The city is 13 hours ahead of Philadelphia, where Philadelphia International Airport is located.
Allow plenty of time to make your PHL to Beijing flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from PHL to Beijing. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these airports:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
PHL is around 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 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.
Looking for a hotel close to PHL? If you're boarding an early flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to Philadelphia International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
PHL's address is 8500 Essington Ave.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Beijing
R 10,239 is currently the best price for a one-way Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing flight. Return plane tickets start at R 18,228. These prices can change depending on availability.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from PHL to Beijing. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across each month when searching for your Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing ticket.
Finding a cheap flight from PHL to Beijing is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing.
Airports in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
The distance from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to central Beijing is roughly 27 kilometres. It'll take you around 45 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
Book a hotel near PEK if you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing. Settle into one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Reserve your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport several weeks ahead of your flight from PHL to Beijing. If you're going away during a busy period, book even earlier to get the best deal.
You'll find PEK at Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Once your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing has arrived, you can get to the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Beijing is roughly 48 kilometres from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 45 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to PKX. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your PHL to Beijing flight:
Best time to go to Beijing
August is the busiest month for flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing. To escape the crowds, plan your trip to Beijing in December.
Before locking in your Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing plane ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. June is the warmest month in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from PHL to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC (12ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF).
More about Beijing
Once you've booked your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Beijing, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Beijing:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are major attractions which should be on any good Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Beijing has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of China waiting to be discovered. Around 113 kilometres southeast of Beijing, a visit to Tianjin will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading attractions like Haihe River, China Ancient Castle and Tianjin World Financial Centre.
If you're ready to explore another side of China, consider Tai'an, about 418 kilometres south of Beijing. Daguan Peak, Tai’an Fantawild Adventure and Taishan West Lake are highlights.