Budapest
→
Xi'an
from €475 return
About this deal
I found nonstop Shanghai Airlines flights from Budapest to Xi'an for about €475 return,
including 23 kg checked baggage.
The reference trip is 7–21 November 2026. Skyscanner Hungary was showing
HUF 173,560 return through Gotogate when checked.
I chose the Hungarian Skyscanner flow deliberately because this route is especially relevant to travellers starting in Hungary:
the booking flow is in Hungarian and payment is shown in HUF. If you would rather pay in euros and use an English-language booking flow,
switching Skyscanner to Malta or Ireland was showing very similar pricing when checked.
The fare itself is very good, but not exceptionally rare for this route. I have seen Budapest–Xi'an return fares around this level reappear,
which is why the price score is strong rather than near-perfect.
Nonstop flights
Budapest 18:00 → Xi'an 10:20 next day
Shanghai Airlines · Economy
Nonstop · 9h20
Xi'an 12:00 → Budapest 16:00
Shanghai Airlines · Economy
Nonstop · 11h00
Fare and booking details
The reference fare was HUF 173,560 through Gotogate via Skyscanner Hungary.
I used the Hungarian market deliberately because the booking flow and payment currency make sense for travellers based in Hungary.
If you prefer an English booking flow and euro payment, switch Skyscanner to
Malta or Ireland. The price was very similar when checked.
For holders of ordinary passports from countries currently covered by China's unilateral visa-free scheme — including
Hungary, Italy and Austria — eligible visits of up to 30 days are confirmed visa-free through
31 December 2026.
For that reason, I would personally prioritise the November and December 2026 dates if you qualify.
The equivalent visa-free arrangement for most of these countries has not yet been confirmed for 2027,
so January–March 2027 travellers should recheck the entry rules before booking.
Official Chinese Embassy in Hungary notice →
Prices can move. Recheck the final total, baggage and booking conditions before paying.
Booking options
Best fit for Hungarian travellers who want to see the fare and payment in HUF and keep the booking flow in Hungarian.
Check the reference fare →A useful alternative if you prefer an English-language booking journey and payment displayed in euros.
All of these were around €475 return / HUF 173,560 when checked. The November–December 2026 dates are the ones I would prioritise for eligible visa-free travellers.
The nonstop routing, included 23 kg bag and very broad choice of dates make this an excellent-value China fare. The price itself is not quite exceptional because this route has repeatedly returned around the same level, and availability is concentrated in the colder months.
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Xi'an hotel guide
The reference trip flies from Budapest on 7 November 2026, arrives in Xi'an on 8 November, and flies home on 21 November, giving you 13 hotel nights. Xi'an deserves several days, but with two weeks available I would not spend the whole trip in one city. My preference would be to use Xi'an as the main base, add another Chinese city by high-speed train, then return before the flight home.
I would start with a hotel around the Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter or South Gate, keep Karma active, and choose a flexible rate while you decide whether to add Luoyang, Chengdu or another stop.
💰 Dino hotel booking method
Xi'an is large, so I would decide whether you want the historic centre, South Gate area or a more modern district before comparing individual hotels.
Once you find a hotel you like, let Karma check whether another seller has the same room for less. Keep breakfast and cancellation conditions in view.
Compare the final total once more before paying. For a longer China trip I would usually prefer free cancellation over saving a small amount on a restrictive rate.
⏳ How many nights would I stay in Xi'an?
Enough for the Terracotta Warriors, city walls and central Xi'an if this is only one stop on a wider China itinerary.
Gives you time for the main historic sights, food areas and a day trip without having to race from one attraction to the next.
With two weeks available, I would combine Xi'an with at least one other city rather than staying in the same hotel throughout.
I would return to Xi'an for the last night so the flight home does not depend on a same-day train or domestic connection.
📍 Best areas to stay in Xi'an
My first choice for a first visit: central, lively, easy for food and close to many of the sights inside the city walls.
A good compromise between historic atmosphere and convenient transport, with easy access to the city wall and central Xi'an.
More modern and spacious, with newer hotels and good access to the pagoda, museums and evening attractions.
Practical for an early high-speed train, but I would not choose it for the whole stay unless rail connections are the main priority.
🌎 What I would do with the other nights
A natural rail add-on for history and the Longmen Grottoes, and easy to combine with Xi'an without adding another flight.
A strong contrast to Xi'an, with Sichuan food, pandas and a completely different city atmosphere.
Makes sense if this is your first China trip and you want to add the capital, although I would give it several nights rather than rush it.
If you prefer a slower trip, keep Xi'an as the main base and use day trips instead of changing hotels repeatedly.
⚠️ Xi'an practical survival kit
Many international websites and apps can be restricted in mainland China. If you rely on them, consider arranging a VPN before arrival and check the local rules that apply to you.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used. Set them up before the trip if possible and still keep a backup payment method.
Save your hotel address in Chinese, key train details, translation tools and offline maps before leaving the hotel Wi-Fi.
The 2026 dates fall in late autumn and early winter, so pack for cool conditions rather than assuming China will be warm.
Xi'an is straightforward to explore independently, but organised tours can be useful for the Terracotta Warriors, historical context and day trips outside the city centre.
A few useful extras that can make the journey easier, particularly when travelling with restrictive cabin-bag fares, arriving late or needing mobile data as soon as you land.
A useful packing solution when you are trying to fit more clothing
into a restricted cabin bag.
Particularly relevant for travellers using airlines such as
Ryanair and Wizz Air, where baggage dimensions and
additional luggage fees can significantly change the final cost of a
cheap flight.
Compress your clothing and make better use of the space available
inside your luggage.
Arrive with mobile data ready and avoid searching for a local SIM
card or relying on airport Wi-Fi.
Use code XTRA10 for
10% off your first purchase.
Travelling for longer? Saily Ultra includes
30 GB of high-speed data plus unlimited reduced-speed data
,
together with additional travel benefits.
Pre-book your airport transfer before travelling.
Particularly useful for
late-night arrivals, families and travellers with luggage
,
or when arriving somewhere unfamiliar and you would rather have a
driver waiting than search for transport after landing.
Use promo code TPO5 for
5% off your booking.
Valid until 31 December 2026.
Flight deals are only the start. These guides show how I find fares worth booking, which travel tools can make a trip easier and what to consider before protecting your holiday.
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