Cheap flights to Asia

Asia Travel Guide

Ancient kingdoms, glittering skyscrapers and pristine beaches: these are just a few attributes that make up the world’s largest continent, Asia. With a plethora of diverse countries comprising it, Asia is an intriguing and captivating destination.

Asia’s largest country, also the biggest in the world, Russia is a fascinating place to visit and admire the grand splendor of its major cities. Russia’s neighbor, China, is another vast country with bustling cities and ancient villages that would take years to fully explore.

Although much smaller in scale than China, the Southeast Asian country, India, is a kaleidoscope of various cultures with thousands of different languages spoken and around eight major religions. When visiting India it’s easy to fall in love with its people; their joie de vivre is infectious. Thailand is a traveler’s favorite, each year drawing crowds of visitors keen to see its idyllic beaches, ancient ruins, high-end resorts and the bustling metropolis, Bangkok.

What’s the weather like in Asia?

India and Thailand have their monsoons, Japan, its typhoons and Russia turns into a winter wonderland covered in snow blankets. The weather in Asia does differ considerably and depending on which country you’re visiting you’ll always need to check before booking your trip.

Which airlines fly to Asia?

Many major airlines travel to and from the US and Asia. When scheduling a vacation to Hong Kong, Seoul or other cities in Asia, check with Delta, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Air China and United PIA. Other airlines include Virgin Atlantic, China Eastern, Air France and KLM.

What should you pack for a flight to Asia?

When packing for a trip to Asia, consider when you will be traveling and what you will be doing. Choose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees when visiting temples, and in Southeast Asia, temperatures tend to be hot year round so pack breathable and lightweight fabrics. Hiking gear is a must if you are visiting volcanoes and trekking in Nepal and other cities. June through September is monsoon season, so pack in preparation for rain.

How to get around Asia

Beijing Capital International Airport:

China’s busiest airport is about 15 miles 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 2 ½ miles 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 taxis, 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.

What are some things to do in Asia?

No trip to Asia would be complete without visiting Mount Fuji. Noted as the tallest mountain in Japan at 12,388 feet, Japanese residents believe the mountain is sacred and connected to God. July and August are offer perfect climbing weather for the mountain. It takes approximately two days to reach the top. In Vietnam, travel throughout the region on water to get a different vantage point of the area.

The Singapore Zoo is located on almost 70 acres and is home to over 2,800 animals, which includes 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. There are plenty or walk-through exhibits and a special jungle breakfast where you can have a meal with orangutans in a natural setting. Aside from the zoo, Singapore is known as the “Garden City” because half of its streets and landscape is covered in greenery. Take a night tour by the Singapore gardens by the Bay or sign up for a bus tour and see the city with a group or at your own pace.

History buffs enjoy the excitement of Hong Kong and all it has to offer. There are plenty of temples and shrines to walk through, scenic tours, a Tokyo Bay cruise and plenty of shopping opportunities near the city center. Travel to Macau to explore the oldest European settlement, or visit the Lantau Island to get a look at the giant Buddha. Hong Kong offers plenty of lush forests, white-sand beaches, rolling mountains and quaint fishing villages to explore.

Asian Markets are an excellent place to experience local flavors, homemade crafts and local food. Most major cities offer markets with shopping and restaurants.

Tips for Your Stay in Asia

It can be bewildering planning a trip to Russia’s gargantuan metropolis – Moscow. Many tourists leave with the feeling they had seen less than they’d hoped to, but three things not to be missed are visiting the Kremlin, strolling around Red Square and a night at the Bolshoi Theater.

In China, visit Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple which was built between 1911 and 1918. The seated Buddha is encrusted with jewels and weighs over 2200 lbs.

Don’t miss the Hong Kong Museum of History which boasts an expansive collection of 6,000 years of the territory’s cultural heritage and history.

Drop by the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok and test your bargaining skills at any of the thousands of stalls selling everything from antiques to flowers. Then head to the Jim Thompson House, a traditional Thai house that was once home to the most famous expat in Thailand: the American adventurer and entrepreneur who came to Bangkok during World War II as a US spy.

Elephanta Island, a short boat-ride from Mumbai, is home to the holy rock-cut temples dating back to 450 AD. Although these temples suffered major Portuguese vandalism they remain virtually untouched.

A trip to the UAE wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a ‘souk’. If you have to choose just one, the Deira’s Gold Souq is the place to pick up Indian and Arabian jewelry.

Half-Asian and half-European, Turkey’s unique mix contributes to its most illustrious landmark, the Haghia Sophia. This museum was once a Byzantine cathedral which was turned into a mosque until 1935.

While visiting Manila, the capital of the Philippines, head to Intramuros, the ancient walled city built by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

In Sri Lanka take a trip to the hillside city of Kandy where you’ll find the sacred tooth of Buddha in Dalada Maligawa.

After all that sightseeing in Kyoto relax in a hot spring resort, “Kurama Onsen”, one of the few bath houses close to the city.

Finding Flights from Asia

Flying to other locations from Asia is possible with the assistance of CheapFlights. The majority of the airlines that fly from the US to Asia, also provide return flights, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Japan Airlines and others. The busiest airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport, which flies to over 120 destinations including Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States.

An airport shuttle bus runs approximately every 30 minutes from downtown Beijing to the airport to get travelers where they need to go. The peak traveling season in Asia is between March and September, so it’s always a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport.

What is the best way to travel around Asia?

There are many ways to travel around Asia—it just depends on how far and where you are traveling. If you’re traveling between countries, there are cheap flights in Asia that can get you quickly from one country to the next. If you’re traveling within a country, there is also inner country Asia airfare that is normally inexpensive. You can choose to travel by bus or minibus, which is a very popular means of travel in most Asian countries. This is also one of the best ways to travel budget-friendly between neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Cambodia. If you’re staying in one city and want to venture around, you can rent a motorbike or scooter and go at your own pace. A travel tip would be to make sure you are confident on a motorbike before jumping into traffic. Another way is by metered taxis in most cities or by other ridesharing companies.

What are some things to do in Asia?

No matter what kind of traveler you are, there is plenty to enjoy after flying to Asia. If you’re adventurous and not sure where you want to visit first, try searching for cheap flights to Asia and see what cities are the least expensive to visit. If you love city sightseeing, head to Bangkok for temples, street food, and a boat taxi ride on the Chao Phraya River. Head to Hong Kong for its shopping, sightseeing and cultural diversity. If you love relaxed beach travel, you can go snorkeling in the Philippines, Bali, or southern Thailand. If you travel to New Delhi, you won’t want to miss out on seeing the Taj Mahal. But you also don’t want to miss seeing the Lotus Temple or watching the sunrise over India Gate.

How long is the flight to Asia?

Flights to Asia from the US vary in the length of travel. This depends on where you are leaving from in the US and which Asian city is your destination. If you’re traveling from Houston to Bangkok, most flights take about 24 to 30h. US cheap flights to Asia also normally have one or two stopovers before arriving in Bangkok. If you're looking for Asia flight deals to Hong Kong, you have a lot of options. From Houston George Bush Intl (IAH), flying to Hong Kong, Asia, can take anywhere from 20 to 30h, depending on layovers. Most flights have at least one stopover, although some have two. Compare flights to Hong Kong, Asia, to see which ones are direct or budget-friendly. Another great city to look at when booking flights to Asia is New Delhi. If you book flights to New Delhi, Asia, you can expect the travel time to be between 20 and 35h in total. There are no direct flights and most flights only have one stopover scheduled.

What do I need to do before my flight to Asia?

Before you book flights to Asia, make sure you have the proper documentation ready. This would include a valid passport and any visa requirements, which will vary depending on what Asian countries you plan to visit. You should also contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know about your travel plans. This will ensure you don’t get to Asia and have a blocked card or bank account. Another good tip is to research the city or country you arrive in to see what public transport apps they have available, so once you get there you can travel with ease. You should also contact your cell phone company to see if you can get a travel package to use your phone in Asia without spending loads of money on roaming bills.