SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines and its subsidiary, Shanghai Airlines are offering a deal from Budapest to Japan and South Korea with stopovers in China starting at just €206 for one-way trips and from €398 for round trips. This deal includes 2×23 kg of checked luggage. Departures are available in April and May 2025.
One-way flights:
- Budapest → Beijing → Nagoya at €206 (~HUF 80,184)
- Budapest → Ningbo → Osaka at €207 (~HUF 80,573)
- Budapest → Beijing → Okinawa at €225 (~HUF 87,580)
- Budapest → Wuhan → Osaka at €225 (~HUF 87,580)
- Budapest → Xi’an → Nagoya at €226 (~HUF 87,969)
- Budapest → Wuhan → Nagoya at €226 (~HUF 87,969)
- Budapest → Qingdao → Fukuoka at €226 (~HUF 87,969)
- Budapest → Chongqing → Osaka at €232 (~HUF 90,304)
- Budapest → Chengdu → Osaka at €238 (~HUF 92,640)
- Budapest → Beijing → Osaka at €238 (~HUF 92,640)
- Budapest → Yantai → Nagoya at €242 (~HUF 94,197)
- Budapest → Beijing → Seoul (South Korea) at €242 (~HUF 94,197)
- Budapest → Beijing → Fukuoka at €248 (~HUF 96,532)
- Budapest → Qingdao → Osaka at €263 (~HUF 102,371)
- Budapest → Hefei → Osaka at €263 (~HUF 102,371)
Round trips flights:
- Budapest → Xi’an → Nagoya | Osaka → Beijing → Budapest at €398 (~HUF 154,918)
- Budapest → Qingdao → Fukuoka | Osaka → Ningbo → Budapest at €481 (~HUF 187,226)
- Budapest → Beijing → Osaka | Osaka → Xi’an → Budapest at €517 (~HUF 201,238)
You can use our search form, and it will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. From there, you can proceed to China Eastern or check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets for up to €30 cheaper. Dates are available in April and May 2025.
Search form for round trips
The long-haul route from/to Budapest is operated by Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern. From Budapest, there are non-stop flights to Shanghai, Ningbo, and Xi’an.
Unfortunately, the nonstop flights via Shanghai are significantly more expensive. Therefore, in most cases, a second layover in China is required. Depending on which city your China stopover occurs, there may also be a third stop in China. The flights within Asia are then operated by China Eastern itself, using different aircraft.
Our colleague Peer recently flew the route from Budapest to Ningbo and was surprised by how comfortable an economy seat can be. More about this and the onboard product can be found in the following post:
Most European passport holders can stay in Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
Some EU citizens can enter South Korea visa-free and stay for up to 90 days until the end of 2025. Please check if you have to register via K-ETA before starting your trip.
Until December 2025, citizens of 33 countries in Europe may enter China for 30 days without applying for a visa.
Search & Book
This deal will expire on April 30, 2025. For round trips, a minimum stay of six days or a Saturday overnight stay and a maximum stay of twelve months apply. Departures are available in April and May.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on China Eastern’s website, but you can find cheaper prices with Skyscanner. However, booking on OTAs has its downsides.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
This ticket is issued in booking class Z. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal with a one-way ticket from Budapest to Osaka with a stop in Beijing:
- 2,084 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 1,736 RDM + 348 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 1,736 Award Miles + 45 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 437 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- Customize Calculation
Destination
Information & Tips for China
China offers a wide range of sights, from historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City to modern cities like Shanghai and scenic areas such as Zhangjiajie and Guilin. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, though cash is still accepted. Prices vary—major cities can be moderate to expensive, while rural areas are generally more affordable. Weather conditions differ greatly by region, with cold winters in the north, hot, humid summers in the south, and a generally best travel period in spring or autumn.
China has a highly developed transport system, especially in urban and coastal areas. Most major cities have extensive metro networks that are cheap, efficient, and easy to navigate with English signage. For travel between cities, the high-speed rail network is one of the most advanced in the world, connecting even distant regions quickly and reliably. In rural or less-developed areas, transport options can be more limited and slower, but basic bus or train connections are usually available.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for China
Information & Tips for Japan
Japan offers a blend of modern cities and natural beauty, with highlights including Tokyo’s bustling urban landscape, Kyoto’s historic temples, Mount Fuji, and the hot springs of Hakone. The currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), and credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas, though cash is still common in rural regions. Japan can be pricey, especially in cities, with high costs for accommodation and dining, but budget options are available. The weather varies by region: summers are hot and humid, while winters can be cold, particularly in the north. The best time to visit is typically during spring (for cherry blossoms) or autumn (for fall foliage).
Japan’s transport infrastructure is highly efficient and easy to navigate. In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the metro and train systems are extensive, punctual, and relatively easy to use, though they can get crowded during peak hours. Buses and taxis are also available, but less convenient for tourists. For intercity travel, Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet trains) are fast, comfortable, and reliable, though more expensive than other options. Buses and domestic flights are also available for longer distances, but trains remain the preferred choice for many travellers due to speed and convenience.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as YohoMobile and Nomad. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Japan 🇯🇵 Compared
→ All Dealz for Japan
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange