Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand: €2,854 Air China Business Class from Budapest (Long Layovers)

Star Alliance member Air China is offering a deal from Budapest to Australia & New Zealand, starting at just €2,854 (~HUF 1,110,396). This price includes 2×32 kg checked luggage. The only caveat is that, in order to get the best price, you require two long layovers in Beijing – or you can pay a bit extra to have an additional stop in Frankfurt to shorten your travel time. However, you can also take advantage of a multi-city ticket and visit the Chinese capital for several days.

Our search form forwards you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. From there, you can purchase these tickets from OTAs or proceed to Air China’s website. Departures at the lowest price are available from September 2025 to July 2026.

The business class product on Air China’s Boeing planes is unfortunately quite outdated. It features a 2-2-2 configuration with no direct aisle access for everbody. Seats are Collins Aerospace Parallel Diamond type. These are almost identical to the (old) KLM business class.

Better seating is available on the Airbus A350. It has a staggered 1-2-1 layout with modern Recaro CL6720 seats. These are the same seats found in Iberia’s new business class, although Air China does not have the sliding door.

The cheapest connections include only one layover in Beijing. However, you will have a long layover there of approximately 14 to 22 hours each way.

On the return journey, you can shorten the Beijing layover to just 9 hours if you’re interested (arrival at 5 AM, onward flight at 2 PM). You would first fly with Air China to Frankfurt and then continue with Lufthansa to Budapest. This comes with only a minimal extra cost.

From Budapest to Beijing, Air China operates flights on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Between China and Australia, the aircraft are quite mixed. Typically, there are:

• Boeing 787 on Beijing – Auckland
• Boeing 777 on Beijing – Sydney
• Airbus A350 on Beijing – Melbourne

Search & Book

The fare rules give no significant restrictions regarding minimum or maximum stays. We found availability for travel from September 2025 to July 2026.

Google Flights does not reliably display the cheapest dates. If you’re interested, it’s best to search directly on Air China’s website. They offer a flexible search option of +/- 3 days, which can assist in finding the best prices:

We recommend booking directly with Air China.

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.

Stopover in Beijing

Stopovers in Beijing are permitted on both the outbound and return journeys. Rather than staying for 14 or 22 hours, you can extend your stay for a few days and explore the Chinese capital. Booking can be easily done using the multi-stop form:

Miles & Points

This ticket is issued in booking class Z. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal from Budapest to Sydney:

Destination

Information & Tips for Melbourne

Melbourne, known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse culture, offers attractions like Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the National Gallery of Victoria. The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The city has a relatively high cost of living, with accommodation and dining often priced at a premium, though there are budget options available. Melbourne’s weather is unpredictable, with four seasons in one day being a common saying—summers are warm, winters are cool, and spring and autumn are mild, making it a good year-round destination.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as RedteaGO and Airalo. 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 Australia 🇦🇺 Compared

→ All Dealz for Melbourne

Information & Tips for Sydney

Sydney is known for its iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. The currency used is the Australian dollar (AUD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The city can be expensive, particularly for accommodation and dining in tourist areas, though there are more affordable options in less central locations. Sydney has a temperate climate, with mild winters and warm, humid summers, making it a year-round destination. The best time to visit is typically during the spring and autumn months for pleasant temperatures.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as RedteaGO and Airalo. 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 Australia 🇦🇺 Compared

→ All Dealz for Sydney

Information & Tips for Auckland

Auckland offers a variety of attractions for travelers. Key sights include the iconic Sky Tower, offering panoramic views, the Auckland War Memorial Museum for a deep dive into New Zealand’s history and culture, and Waiheke Island, known for its vineyards and beaches, easily accessible by ferry. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency.

Generally, Auckland can be considered a moderately priced destination, with daily costs varying based on travel style. Accommodation, dining out, and transport can be similar to or slightly higher than some European cities, especially in central areas.

Auckland experiences a subtropical climate, characterized by warm, humid summers (December-February) and mild winters (June-August). Rainfall is fairly consistent year-round, so be prepared for occasional showers.

 

→ All Dealz for Auckland

Cover Picture: © Air China