If you are looking to get from Europe to China as cheap as possible, you should check out Azerbaijan Airlines‘ current offer for one-way tickets from Istanbul to Beijing. Prices go as low as €142 (~TRY 6,940) for a oneway trip from Turkey’s largest city to China’s capital. This fare includes two checked bags of 23kg each.
A long layover in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku is necessary to get the lowest fare. Non-stop flights from Baku to Beijing are discounted, too. From Baku, you can also score cheap roundtrips, starting at just €142 (~AZN 281).
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. There, you can check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €10 cheaper.
Azerbaijan Airlines deploys their Boeing 767-300ER fleet on flights between Baku and Beijing. They have the industry standard 2-3-2 seating pattern in economy class, with video-on-demand and USB charging ports at every seat. Flights between Istanbul International (IST) and Baku are operated by the same aircraft. You can find a review of the product here.
An Airbus A320 handles flights from Sabiha Gokcan airport (SAW) to Baku.
Until December 2025, citizens of 33 countries in Europe may enter China for 30 days without applying for a visa.
To enter Azerbaijan, most European citizens require a visa. You can apply for a single-entry, 30 days visa online. For multiple entries or longer visas, you need to contact your nearest Azerbaijani embassy.
Search & Book
The fare rules give absolutely no restrictions for these tickets. You can find the cheap flights until June and from September 2025, with availability going into 2026.
Google Flights helps you find additional flight dates. Since the price difference between OTAs on Skyscanner, and Azerbaijan Airlines’ website is only €10, it makes most sense to buy these tickets directly from the airline.
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
These tickets are issued in Azerbaijan Airlines booking class X. You cannot earn miles with any major program.
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 Beijing
Beijing, China’s capital, is home to major historical sites like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and nearby sections of the Great Wall. The local currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay are more common than cash or cards. Prices vary—public transport and local food are inexpensive, while hotels and tourist areas can be more costly. The weather includes hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, with spring and autumn offering milder, more comfortable conditions.
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 Beijing
Cover Picture: Photo by William Christen on Unsplash