Chinese Visa Flight Requirement
Apr 29, 2015, 11:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Chinese Visa Flight Requirement
Hello,
I will be traveling to China in a few months, and I am beginning the visa application. It states I must have a round-trip ticket. I have a one-way flight from the US to Beijing, separate flight from Hong Kong to Seoul (I plan on traveling by train to Hong Kong), and a one-way from Seoul back to the US.
Even though these are all separate itineraries, will this pass as a requirement as a roundtrip flight?
Thanks!
I will be traveling to China in a few months, and I am beginning the visa application. It states I must have a round-trip ticket. I have a one-way flight from the US to Beijing, separate flight from Hong Kong to Seoul (I plan on traveling by train to Hong Kong), and a one-way from Seoul back to the US.
Even though these are all separate itineraries, will this pass as a requirement as a roundtrip flight?
Thanks!
Apr 30, 2015, 8:10 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,140
-anything other than second class costs more than flying, and even second class is a draw if you don't mind sub optimal flights
-the food sucks (many of us can endure BJ-SH without food or KFC bought at the station, but 9 hours is completely different story)
-it is a serious PITA to get to HK from Shenzhen North (not sure if Futian Station is open yet; if so, only a big PITA)
-the train that goes to HK itself is pretty comfortable, costs a lot less than the fast trains, and you can split the trip up into two or three days without jacking up the price in a meaningful manner
Apr 30, 2015, 10:50 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Despite the "round-trip ticket" terminology, China doesn't really care if you go home or not. All they want to know is that you're leaving China. There are a few reports of applicants in some locations where an intl flight ticket out of Hong Kong in lieu of one from the mainland has been rejected as unsatisfactory. However, I haven't heard of this happening to USA applicants in the US. So you should be OK.
Apr 30, 2015, 11:15 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Thanks for the responses
Thank you all for the responses. It eased my worries.
I will be flying into Beijing then traveling by train to Shanghai with a group. After Shanghai, I was thinking about traveling by train to Hong Honk. Is flying a better option from Shanghai?
Thanks!
I will be flying into Beijing then traveling by train to Shanghai with a group. After Shanghai, I was thinking about traveling by train to Hong Honk. Is flying a better option from Shanghai?
Thanks!
Apr 30, 2015, 2:27 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Hello,
I will be traveling to China in a few months, and I am beginning the visa application. It states I must have a round-trip ticket. I have a one-way flight from the US to Beijing, separate flight from Hong Kong to Seoul (I plan on traveling by train to Hong Kong), and a one-way from Seoul back to the US.
Even though these are all separate itineraries, will this pass as a requirement as a roundtrip flight?
Thanks!
I will be traveling to China in a few months, and I am beginning the visa application. It states I must have a round-trip ticket. I have a one-way flight from the US to Beijing, separate flight from Hong Kong to Seoul (I plan on traveling by train to Hong Kong), and a one-way from Seoul back to the US.
Even though these are all separate itineraries, will this pass as a requirement as a roundtrip flight?
Thanks!
Apr 30, 2015, 7:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
@moondog - to the extent that one has decided that he prefers the train, then that train to HK isn't too appealing compared to alternatives. It only runs every other day and takes nearly 24 hours. The fast train takes 8.5 hours only. The short subway ride to the border isn't that big a deal. Also on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, you have the overnight fast train doing this in 11.5 hours, half the time of the HK train. While I agree that it is still a long train ride, these are better options than the HK train.
Apr 30, 2015, 8:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,107
Much better to fly than waste a bundle on the expensive HSR.
On the other hand, the direct train to HK is a fine and reasonably-priced trip, and I've done it several times. Sure, you have to be alright with 24 hours on a train, but it can be relaxing in a way.
On the other hand, the direct train to HK is a fine and reasonably-priced trip, and I've done it several times. Sure, you have to be alright with 24 hours on a train, but it can be relaxing in a way.
Apr 30, 2015, 8:45 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,140
Since you're already going to get your train experience between Beijing and Shanghai, there's no need to tack on more.
Be prepared for some serious flight delays if you're traveling during the summer months,
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...ht-delays.html
but you'll almost certainly be able to get to HK much faster than by taking a train to Shenzhen North.
May 1, 2015, 1:25 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
Shanghai - HK now only takes 19 hours. 6pm - 1pm. And there's usually a on-going discount. Last month I bought a north bound for someone, it was under HK$1,000 each for deluxe soft-sleeper. Two traveling together, HK$2000 is cheaper than many 4* hotels in HK for one night.
May 1, 2015, 3:21 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
A bundle? HSR SH-SZ second class is just 467.5. But a bit long to sit in a train for me. Not as good as the Beijing one which also has overnight high-speed trains for just 700. But overnight trains are not everybody's cup of tea.