Last edit by: moondog
1. The information in this thread is time sensitive
2. Nearly all flights to China cost $4,000 or more
3. The best current option is discussed in the thread
4. The second best is now Korea (if you fly AA, AF, DL, or UA, you are going there anyway)
5. The third best option entails taking a new flight that we are keeping on the down low (just like point 3, but this one will last longer than point 3)
6. The fourth best option is Taiwan; you have cheap flights on both ends, BUT you'll be staying there for a week, AND need to be able to enter Taiwan
7. Finally, we have Hong Kong. You can get there pretty easily but plan on spending about $3,000 (and a week)
2. Nearly all flights to China cost $4,000 or more
3. The best current option is discussed in the thread
4. The second best is now Korea (if you fly AA, AF, DL, or UA, you are going there anyway)
5. The third best option entails taking a new flight that we are keeping on the down low (just like point 3, but this one will last longer than point 3)
6. The fourth best option is Taiwan; you have cheap flights on both ends, BUT you'll be staying there for a week, AND need to be able to enter Taiwan
7. Finally, we have Hong Kong. You can get there pretty easily but plan on spending about $3,000 (and a week)
Best way to travel from London to China
#166
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,981
I will fly from London to Helsinki on August 16, I will arrive at 14.55, my flight to China is scheduled for August 18 at 23.20. The 2 testing facilities inside airport have some opening times which I’m not sure work well with the 48h and 24h
Testing facility number 1 open from 04am to 24.00 pm. and can give results in 12-24h
testing facility number 2 open from 8.00 to 16.00 but can give results in a faster time 12h and can also have the 2 hours test results option
Can you please suggest me what’s the best timing to take the 2 PCR tests? I’m almost there, many thank 🙏
Testing facility number 1 open from 04am to 24.00 pm. and can give results in 12-24h
testing facility number 2 open from 8.00 to 16.00 but can give results in a faster time 12h and can also have the 2 hours test results option
Can you please suggest me what’s the best timing to take the 2 PCR tests? I’m almost there, many thank 🙏
Switching topics, my own experience in Shanghai has been that the test time (as opposed to the test result time) is what matters. As such, unless you receive other information from the consulate or your airline, don't do your 48-hour test more than 48 hours before departure. 48 hours before arrival in China is also conceivable, but I doubt this is the case (e.g. you will get a new test before you are permitted to go through border control at your destination airport).
#167
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 65
will 15h before departing be ok cause within 24h right?
here from Finland embassy: 1. Testing Requirements
All travellers, Chinese and foreign nationals alike, who depart from, or transit via Finland are to undergo two PCR nucleic acid tests within 48 hours of departure (these tests may be done at two different institutions on the same day; or they may be done by the same institution with a minimum period of 24 hours between each test). The sample for the second PCR test is to be taken within 24 hours of departure. The requirement for an additional antigen test before 12 hours of boarding is no longer in force.
here from Finland embassy: 1. Testing Requirements
All travellers, Chinese and foreign nationals alike, who depart from, or transit via Finland are to undergo two PCR nucleic acid tests within 48 hours of departure (these tests may be done at two different institutions on the same day; or they may be done by the same institution with a minimum period of 24 hours between each test). The sample for the second PCR test is to be taken within 24 hours of departure. The requirement for an additional antigen test before 12 hours of boarding is no longer in force.
I've previously told you (and others) to contact the PRC consulates or embassies in your origin and connecting cities because they know their rules better than anyone else. While I don't redact this advice, it has subsequently occurred to me that the airline could also be a useful resource because if you get stuck in Finland, it has to deal with you.
Switching topics, my own experience in Shanghai has been that the test time (as opposed to the test result time) is what matters. As such, unless you receive other information from the consulate or your airline), don't do your 48-hour test more than 48 hours before departure. 48 hours before arrival in China is also conceivable, but I doubt this is the case (e.g. you will get a new test before you are permitted to go through border control at your destination airport).
Switching topics, my own experience in Shanghai has been that the test time (as opposed to the test result time) is what matters. As such, unless you receive other information from the consulate or your airline), don't do your 48-hour test more than 48 hours before departure. 48 hours before arrival in China is also conceivable, but I doubt this is the case (e.g. you will get a new test before you are permitted to go through border control at your destination airport).
#168
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,981
will 15h before departing be ok cause within 24h right?
here from Finland embassy: 1. Testing Requirements
All travellers, Chinese and foreign nationals alike, who depart from, or transit via Finland are to undergo two PCR nucleic acid tests within 48 hours of departure (these tests may be done at two different institutions on the same day; or they may be done by the same institution with a minimum period of 24 hours between each test). The sample for the second PCR test is to be taken within 24 hours of departure. The requirement for an additional antigen test before 12 hours of boarding is no longer in force.
here from Finland embassy: 1. Testing Requirements
All travellers, Chinese and foreign nationals alike, who depart from, or transit via Finland are to undergo two PCR nucleic acid tests within 48 hours of departure (these tests may be done at two different institutions on the same day; or they may be done by the same institution with a minimum period of 24 hours between each test). The sample for the second PCR test is to be taken within 24 hours of departure. The requirement for an additional antigen test before 12 hours of boarding is no longer in force.
1. They can change at any time, so check again a day or two before you leave
2. Time your 24-hour test appropriately because it takes up to 12 hours to get results; this is getting faster across the board, and some testing centers now guarantee a 6-hour turnaround but don't bank on this
3. After you get your results for each test, the consulate/embassy needs to receive them (presumably with no effort on your own part. However, I needed to upload the results myself to the SF consulate); don't stress out on this point because the process is quite efficient, but <12 hours pre-flight might be too late for the <24-hour test
#169
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
AY 87 (codeshare HO3202) HEL PVG - Thursdays 14:25 departure
HO 1608 HEL PVG - Sundays 16:35 departure
3U 3936 HEL CTU - Fridays 06:00 departure
#170
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 65
sichuan airline departing from Helsinki to Chengdu on August 18 at 23.20
#171
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
In that case regarding testing as I see it you have two choices:
Option 1:
Test #1 no later than 07:50 (e.g., 07:30 to be safe) on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than early morning on the 18th);
Test #2 as early as possible (e.g., 08:00, just as it opens) on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 20:00 the same day - still more than 3 hours before travel).
[Test #1 < 48 hours before departure; Test #1 < 24 hours before departure; also more than 24 hours between Test #1 and Test #2, though in fact this is not actually a requirement if these are different testing institutions]
Option 2:
Essentially the same as Option 1 but paying the extra for the fast (2 hr) test result. In that case I would select more relaxed testing times, e.g.,
Test #1 around 11:00 on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than 11:00 on the 18th);
Test #2 around 11:00 on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 13:00 that same day.
I can't tell you which of these to select. For Option 1 you will have both sets of results at least 3.5 hours before departure, which is plenty of time to upload all the documents. If that seems too short a window to you though, then Option 2 is probably better for you.
Regarding your other question (about whether to upload the flight details for the HEL-CTU flight when you apply for the Health Code prior to departing the UK, I don't know - but I would guess this is needed, and more importantly, it certainly cannot do any harm to upload these details. So I suggest you just assume that it is required, and upload copies of both the flight to Helsinki and the HEL-CTU flight.
#172
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 65
what about first test on August 16 at around 23.30-23.40 or august 17 at 4am at the clinic 4.00-24.00 and second test on August 18 at 8am ( at this clinic I can do the fast 2 hours result test, flight is on August 18 at 23.20, I just booked the london tests , Slowly I’m getting there many thanks
Interesting - ExpertFlyer shows that as a Friday 06:00am departure - but that is clearly wrong. Thanks for confirming.
In that case regarding testing as I see it you have two choices:
Option 1:
Test #1 no later than 07:50 (e.g., 07:30 to be safe) on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than early morning on the 18th);
Test #2 as early as possible (e.g., 08:00, just as it opens) on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 20:00 the same day - still more than 3 hours before travel).
[Test #1 < 48 hours before departure; Test #1 < 24 hours before departure; also more than 24 hours between Test #1 and Test #2, though in fact this is not actually a requirement if these are different testing institutions]
Option 2:
Essentially the same as Option 1 but paying the extra for the fast (2 hr) test result. In that case I would select more relaxed testing times, e.g.,
Test #1 around 11:00 on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than 11:00 on the 18th);
Test #2 around 11:00 on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 13:00 that same day.
I can't tell you which of these to select. For Option 1 you will have both sets of results at least 3.5 hours before departure, which is plenty of time to upload all the documents. If that seems too short a window to you though, then Option 2 is probably better for you.
Regarding your other question (about whether to upload the flight details for the HEL-CTU flight when you apply for the Health Code prior to departing the UK, I don't know - but I would guess this is needed, and more importantly, it certainly cannot do any harm to upload these details. So I suggest you just assume that it is required, and upload copies of both the flight to Helsinki and the HEL-CTU flight.
In that case regarding testing as I see it you have two choices:
Option 1:
Test #1 no later than 07:50 (e.g., 07:30 to be safe) on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than early morning on the 18th);
Test #2 as early as possible (e.g., 08:00, just as it opens) on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 20:00 the same day - still more than 3 hours before travel).
[Test #1 < 48 hours before departure; Test #1 < 24 hours before departure; also more than 24 hours between Test #1 and Test #2, though in fact this is not actually a requirement if these are different testing institutions]
Option 2:
Essentially the same as Option 1 but paying the extra for the fast (2 hr) test result. In that case I would select more relaxed testing times, e.g.,
Test #1 around 11:00 on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than 11:00 on the 18th);
Test #2 around 11:00 on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 13:00 that same day.
I can't tell you which of these to select. For Option 1 you will have both sets of results at least 3.5 hours before departure, which is plenty of time to upload all the documents. If that seems too short a window to you though, then Option 2 is probably better for you.
Regarding your other question (about whether to upload the flight details for the HEL-CTU flight when you apply for the Health Code prior to departing the UK, I don't know - but I would guess this is needed, and more importantly, it certainly cannot do any harm to upload these details. So I suggest you just assume that it is required, and upload copies of both the flight to Helsinki and the HEL-CTU flight.
#173
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 65
also fightscanner not very reliable it gives wrong flights for China always better to double check with the Chinese airlines
do I need to upload both tests results together or first I can upload 1 and then the other at different times
do I need to upload both tests results together or first I can upload 1 and then the other at different times
Interesting - ExpertFlyer shows that as a Friday 06:00am departure - but that is clearly wrong. Thanks for confirming.
In that case regarding testing as I see it you have two choices:
Option 1:
Test #1 no later than 07:50 (e.g., 07:30 to be safe) on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than early morning on the 18th);
Test #2 as early as possible (e.g., 08:00, just as it opens) on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 20:00 the same day - still more than 3 hours before travel).
[Test #1 < 48 hours before departure; Test #1 < 24 hours before departure; also more than 24 hours between Test #1 and Test #2, though in fact this is not actually a requirement if these are different testing institutions]
Option 2:
Essentially the same as Option 1 but paying the extra for the fast (2 hr) test result. In that case I would select more relaxed testing times, e.g.,
Test #1 around 11:00 on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than 11:00 on the 18th);
Test #2 around 11:00 on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 13:00 that same day.
I can't tell you which of these to select. For Option 1 you will have both sets of results at least 3.5 hours before departure, which is plenty of time to upload all the documents. If that seems too short a window to you though, then Option 2 is probably better for you.
Regarding your other question (about whether to upload the flight details for the HEL-CTU flight when you apply for the Health Code prior to departing the UK, I don't know - but I would guess this is needed, and more importantly, it certainly cannot do any harm to upload these details. So I suggest you just assume that it is required, and upload copies of both the flight to Helsinki and the HEL-CTU flight.
In that case regarding testing as I see it you have two choices:
Option 1:
Test #1 no later than 07:50 (e.g., 07:30 to be safe) on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than early morning on the 18th);
Test #2 as early as possible (e.g., 08:00, just as it opens) on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 20:00 the same day - still more than 3 hours before travel).
[Test #1 < 48 hours before departure; Test #1 < 24 hours before departure; also more than 24 hours between Test #1 and Test #2, though in fact this is not actually a requirement if these are different testing institutions]
Option 2:
Essentially the same as Option 1 but paying the extra for the fast (2 hr) test result. In that case I would select more relaxed testing times, e.g.,
Test #1 around 11:00 on Aug 17th at the 04:00 - 24:00 testing-place (results back no later than 11:00 on the 18th);
Test #2 around 11:00 on Aug 18th at the 08:00 - 16:00 testing-place (results back no later than 13:00 that same day.
I can't tell you which of these to select. For Option 1 you will have both sets of results at least 3.5 hours before departure, which is plenty of time to upload all the documents. If that seems too short a window to you though, then Option 2 is probably better for you.
Regarding your other question (about whether to upload the flight details for the HEL-CTU flight when you apply for the Health Code prior to departing the UK, I don't know - but I would guess this is needed, and more importantly, it certainly cannot do any harm to upload these details. So I suggest you just assume that it is required, and upload copies of both the flight to Helsinki and the HEL-CTU flight.
#174
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
@Danielinvesting - I suggest also you search on Facebook and find the group "Going to China" (just search for that phrase). There is a lot of "noise" in the posts there (benign questions and unclear answers) and here on Flyertalk we can almost certainly provide better advice regarding general planning and after arrival in China.
However, in that group there is at least one other person who will be flying soon to China using Helsinki as a transfer. And interestingly for all there is also a report of someone who already has successfully carried out the ICN maneuver earlier this month (arrived in ICN - stayed for a week to carry out the 48 hr/24 hr tests, then flew to China).
However, in that group there is at least one other person who will be flying soon to China using Helsinki as a transfer. And interestingly for all there is also a report of someone who already has successfully carried out the ICN maneuver earlier this month (arrived in ICN - stayed for a week to carry out the 48 hr/24 hr tests, then flew to China).
#175
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
what about first test on August 16 at around 23.30-23.40 or august 17 at 4am at the clinic 4.00-24.00 and second test on August 18 at 8am ( at this clinic I can do the fast 2 hours result test, flight is on August 18 at 23.20, I just booked the london tests , Slowly I’m getting there many thanks
#176
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
Some Chinese embassy websites (e.g. the one in Korea) ask for the first test result to be uploaded without waiting for the second test result. The embassy website in Finland does not, so I assume that you should wait until you have both test results and then upload all the documents. Possibly you can already upload the first result but won't have the option to submit the application until all the documents are uploaded.
#178
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 65
are you in China right now?
I think I’ll go with same company the one that open 8am to 16.00 for both tests, on August 17 at 8am normal one and August 18 also at 8am the rapid one, same company is ok if gap of 24h right? Departure to China August 18 at 23.20
I think I’ll go with same company the one that open 8am to 16.00 for both tests, on August 17 at 8am normal one and August 18 also at 8am the rapid one, same company is ok if gap of 24h right? Departure to China August 18 at 23.20
#179
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,981
Yes. MANY of my friends (including members of this forum) bid farewell to Shanghai during our 2-month lockdown, but I stayed the course because I got somewhat used to it, and I dreaded the idea of having to fly back here and do hotel quarantine again (way worse than home quarantine). But, in your case, you might only be holed for a week, and you'll (hopefully) have eleme, meituan waimai, hema, etc at your disposal. I was limited to groceries only last fall, and the hotel only accepted morning deliveries.
#180
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HANDAN
Programs: Air China Phoenix Miles
Posts: 61
Yes. MANY of my friends (including members of this forum) bid farewell to Shanghai during our 2-month lockdown, but I stayed the course because I got somewhat used to it, and I dreaded the idea of having to fly back here and do hotel quarantine again (way worse than home quarantine). But, in your case, you might only be holed for a week, and you'll (hopefully) have eleme, meituan waimai, hema, etc at your disposal. I was limited to groceries only last fall, and the hotel only accepted morning deliveries.