5 Useful Tips for Transferring Through the Beijing Airport

One of the cheapest ways to get to Mongolia is transferring through the Beijing airport. While it’s easier to get to Mongolia than China for most Westerners, there are still a few things to know to make your trip through the airport easy.

1. Avoid the transit visa

Despite normally requiring people to get a visa, China allows some passengers to travel without a visa if you’re just passing through the airport. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months when you arrive, and you should have a ticket out of China to another country. For those traveling to China proper, you need a visa. 

2. English Friendly

You can leave your Chinese / English dictionaries at home. The airport is relatively English friendly, with signage in both Chinese characters and English words. You don’t need a ton of Chinese to get food at the restaurants, but a couple pleasantries to learn could be helpful.

3. Come hungry

The airport in Terminal 3 has over 70 stores that cook a dazzling number of dishes. They offer ice cream, baked goods, and Chinese and Western food as well. There’s also a number of stores that you can purchase things in.

4. Print your flight details and hotel

As always, it’s a wise idea to print your flight and hotel details. The Chinese government can require your travel details, even if you’re only transferring in China. You may also not be able to find a charging port or your phone may break at the airport. It’s a good idea to have a backup, along with a copy of your passport in case you need to prove the details of your trip.

5. Use a VPN

The “Great Firewall of China” is a real hinderance to travelers passing through China. People from the West who are used to accessing their email and being able to use resources like Google to answer questions will find themselves going without in China.

You can get around this by downloading and getting a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This is a service that you can use to bypass the firewall and use your phone and computer as if you were home in the states. If you’re just passing through, you may not need it, but if you plan on extending your stay you should definitely have one ready before you leave.

Finally, there is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in China. The Government of Mongolia has reported no cases of the coronavirus in Mongolia. 

There are currently no restrictions on flights or train travel between China and Mongolia, although passengers may be subject to additional screening. Please read latest Mongolia travel advice on coronavirus outbreak by the government of Mongolia. 

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