Domestic flight from Beijing to Shanghai

Can someone advise what airline is best to fly from Beijing to Shanghai?

Also, should I book through their website or through a travel agent?

Thanks!

Domestic flight from Beijing to Shanghai

All airlines are good. Check availability on www.elong.net or www.ctrip.com

Once you chose your flight, you can buy the ticket from yout hotel travel desk or business center for the same discounted price. Prices vary daily and the cheapest will generally be within one week prior to departure.

Domestic flight from Beijing to Shanghai

Thanks for the info!

I looked up the flights on elong.com. Why are there higher discounts as we get closer to departure? Are there generally a lot of flight cancellations last minute?

I%26#39;m used to booking flights well in advance in the U.S. My trip from Beijing to Shanghai will be in the middle of a larger China trip. Are you strongly recommending me to wait until I get to China and then book the flight 1 week prior to departure to get the best rate?

I%26#39;m hoping not to sacrifice availability as this trip is our honeymoon.

Thanks!

It%26#39;s generally not that hard to get tickets a week ahead, or even a couple of days ahead--though I generally find the most discounted tickets tend to disappear about 4 days before departure.

Of course this may change in the future, but it%26#39;s been true for a long time.

Discounts are available to at least up to 40% off of full fares.

Are there any additional restrictions with the discounted tickets?

Are they e-tickets or do they mail us the paper tickets?

Thanks!

Ctrip has electronic tickets, at least on some airlines.

Before you buy air tickets, consider doing that route by overnight sleeper train. The trains are modern and comfortable, you travel from city centre to city centre - so minimising travel to and from airport time, the travel is at night - so maximising day time sightseeing time, it%26#39;s a good experience and you save the cost of one night in a hotel.

Any websites that you can direct me to for the sleeper trains?

www.seat61.com/China.htm is the best place to start.

The online agencies that will get you tickets charge a high commission. Better to get your hotel in Beijing to book you a ticket. Bookings start from 10 days before departure.

About the discounts, it%26#39;s all about supply and demand. There are tons of flights available between these two cities. Just the availability for tomorrow for example. Maybe chinese actually just buy when they show up at the airport.

I will be buying a one way domestic flight ticket from Beijing to Shanghai for a trip in late March. A lot of posts in this forum say to buy the ticket last minute as they seem confident the price will be low and seats will remain.

Is this still true? I dont want to have to worry about flights being sold out.

Also, anything I need to know about buying the ticket or tips once I am at the airport? I am assuming it is as easy as printing off the boarding pass online (at your hotel) and showing it to the agent at the Beijing aiport?

Last question...there are many airlines that fly this route. Which one is the best and why? I read from another poster that Hainan airlines is good, but I am looking for specififcs on why or why not.

Thanks!!!