Asia overview
When is the best time to fly to Asia?
Peak Season:
The peak season will vary from country to country, but for example, November to March are the best times for visiting India and Sri Lanka, but the flights to Asia will be more expensive then too. Japan is stunningly beautiful from March until May during the cherry blossom season. The Philippines has lovely weather in March through to May too, so book early for savings on your flights to Asia to save the most money on your flight tickets. The UAE doesn't really have any seasons, it's generally warm pretty much all year round, and in August the temperature can soar well into the high 30s. Once you thought of a place in Asia to visit, start researching special events or festivals and book your flights accordingly, anything special can cause flights to Asia to double in price if you're not careful.
Off Season:
Again this depends on where you plan to visit, the Philippines isn't a hospitable location from June to October due to the monsoon season arriving, and while that can mean cheap flights to Asia, it can be dangerous. Japan on the other hand sees monsoon season from August to the end of September, meaning you have a larger window to find cheap flights to Asia without getting caught in the storms. India and Sri Lanka also have a monsoon season running from May time to September, meaning the price of flight tickets are generally reduced, although certain accommodation might be closed. Once you know where you want to go, try to avoid travelling there in during the monsoon season, although the flights to Asia are cheaper, it can be very dangerous in certain countries.
When is the best time to book a flight to Asia?
Parts of Asia are popular every day of the year while others are best relished during the summer time. If you are flexible with your dates, and your country, you can grab absolute bargains on your flight tickets if you book in advance. Flexibility is the greatest friend you can have when booking flights to Asia, especially as festivals and celebrations can really increase the price of flights and accommodation. If you have a lot of time free, you could plan to visit a few countries whilst you’re looking into flights to Asia, as domestic flights are a lot cheaper.
How long is the flight to Asia?
Flights from London (All airports) to Beijing International Aiport - 10 hours 10 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Dubai Intermational - 7 hours 10 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Venice - 13 hours 15 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Dubai International - 7 hours 20 minutes
Which airlines operate flights to Asia?
Due to the vast size and popularity of Asia, there are too many airlines to list. However a few of the main ones that operate flights to Asia are Jetstar Asia Airways, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Of course there are many more than shouldn't be dismissed, and depending on where in Asia you are travelling to could be a better option for you. Virgin and British Airways offer reasonable pricing for their flights to Asia, where as Emirates provide luxury travel for a higher price, but again it depends entirely on where you are visiting. Compare a few together and weigh up which airline offers you the cheapest flights to Asia with the best benefits. It's worth signing up for any free special memberships which offer you air miles back as the long-haul flight could save you money in the future!
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Beijing Capital International Airport:
China's busiest airport is about 25km from the city, and because it's China's biggest airport there are ample travel options to choose from. The easiest one is to get a taxi straight from the airport. If you agree a price before you get in you'll save yourself getting ripped off at the other end of the trip. Also if there are 3 or 4 of you, a taxi is definitely the better option as splitting the fare makes the cost more than manageable. There is also a metro line that runs to Dongzhimen, from here you can change to another line or grab a taxi to your next stop.
Dubai International Airport:
Once your flights to Asia have dropped you off in one of the most luxurious countries currently going, you'll be glad to know the airport is only 4km from the city. There a few options you can choose, depending on whether your hotel provides transfers in with the package. You can get a shuttle bus straight from the airport, it runs every 20 or 30 minutes and is a very convenient way to travel. Other than that there are taxi's, trains, buses and shuttles that can carry you to your final destination.
Tokyo Haneda Airport:
Haneda airport is the 3rd busiest in Asia, serving over 60 million passengers per year. It's around 30 minutes away from Tokyo, and there are several options to get to and from the airport. There is the Tokyo monorail, Keikyu Railways, taxi services and buses. The buses run almost 24 hours a day and some go directly to some of the busiest hotels. You can take the monorail directly from the airport, although understanding what line goes where can be slightly confusing at first.