Flights to China from Canadian cities
Flying from Canada to China
- Entry: Canadians can visit visa-free for up to 30 days, under a policy that runs until at least December 31, 2026.
- Pay by phone. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Canadian card before you go; mobile payment is the norm.
- Download before you land. Many Google services don't work in China, so download offline maps and translation and save your bookings to your phone.
- Compare Hong Kong. Flying into Hong Kong and taking the high-speed train to Guangzhou or Shenzhen is sometimes cheaper.
Entry rules change, so confirm on the Government of Canada travel advice page before you book.
Lunar New Year 2027: when to book
- Lunar New Year is February 6, 2027. Flights from Canada to China are busiest in the two to three weeks before it, and prices in China rise during the holiday travel rush.
- Book early. If you're going home for New Year, book as soon as your dates are clear; the cheapest seats go first.
- Check the visa-free policy. Visa-free entry for Canadians runs until at least December 31, 2026. For trips in 2027, confirm it has been extended before you book.
Where you can fly in China
Beijing
Airport: Beijing Capital International (PEK), plus Beijing Daxing (PKX), about an hour south of the city.
Flights: Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (Air China and Hainan Airlines); Vancouver (Air Canada and Air China).
Cheapest time to fly: Late autumn and winter, outside Lunar New Year, are usually cheapest; Lunar New Year, the May and October Golden Week holidays and summer cost the most.
Weather: Autumn (September to October) is the most pleasant time to visit, with clear, mild days. Summers are hot and humid with most of the year's rain in July and August, and winters are cold and dry, often below freezing. Spring can be windy and dusty.
On arrival: The Airport Express train links Capital Airport (PEK) with the city, and Daxing (PKX) has its own express line. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Canadian card before you go, because many places prefer mobile payments.
Shanghai
Airport: Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) for international flights, plus Hongqiao (SHA) for domestic flights and high-speed trains.
Flights: Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (Air Canada and China Eastern); Vancouver (Air Canada and China Eastern).
Cheapest time to fly: Late autumn and winter, outside Lunar New Year, are usually cheapest; Lunar New Year, the Golden Week holidays and summer cost the most.
Weather: Spring (April to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best times to visit. June to early July brings the 'plum rain' season, summers are hot and humid with occasional typhoons, and winters are chilly and damp, though rarely below freezing.
On arrival: The Maglev train from Pudong reaches Longyang Road metro station in about eight minutes; Metro Line 2 is the cheaper, slower option. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go.
Guangzhou
Airport: Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN).
Flights: Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (China Southern); Vancouver (China Southern, with Air Canada adding flights from May 2027).
Cheapest time to fly: Late spring and early autumn outside the holidays are usually best value; Lunar New Year, Golden Week and the spring and autumn Canton Fair weeks push up flights and hotels.
Weather: October to December is the most comfortable time, warm and dry. April to September is hot, humid and rainy, with typhoons possible in late summer. Winters are mild, around 10 to 20°C.
On arrival: Metro Line 3 runs from Baiyun Airport into the city, and high-speed trains link Guangzhou with Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go.
Airlines and schedules change, so check the route page for your dates.
Guides for trips to China
Canada to China: common questions
Which Canadian cities fly nonstop to China?
Nonstop routes on this page: Toronto to Beijing (Air China and Hainan Airlines); Toronto to Shanghai (Air Canada and China Eastern); Toronto to Guangzhou (China Southern); Vancouver to Beijing (Air Canada and Air China); Vancouver to Shanghai (Air Canada and China Eastern); Vancouver to Guangzhou (China Southern, with Air Canada adding flights from May 2027). Other trips connect at least once.
When is the cheapest time to fly from Canada to China?
Late autumn and winter, outside Lunar New Year, are usually cheapest; Lunar New Year, the May and October Golden Week holidays and summer cost the most.
Is there a nonstop flight from Canada to Beijing?
Yes. Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (Air China and Hainan Airlines); Vancouver (Air Canada and Air China).
Is there a nonstop flight from Canada to Shanghai?
Yes. Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (Air Canada and China Eastern); Vancouver (Air Canada and China Eastern).
Is there a nonstop flight from Canada to Guangzhou?
Yes. Nonstop from Canada: Toronto (China Southern); Vancouver (China Southern, with Air Canada adding flights from May 2027).
Other popular trips from Canada
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