London to Xianyang (Weicheng) (LGW–XIY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter China visa-free for stays up to 30 days under the unilateral exemption policy extended through at least December 31, 2026. This covers tourism, business visits, family visits, and transit. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. No advance application or fee. You cannot convert this entry to a work or residence permit once inside the country.

Fill out the arrival card on the plane or at the immigration hall. Officers may ask for your itinerary, hotel bookings, and return ticket, though this is inconsistent. If you plan to stay beyond 30 days or engage in work, study, or journalism, apply for the appropriate visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in London before departure (processing 4 to 7 working days, fees from $198 for single entry).

Direct flights from London Heathrow to Beijing (PEK) run about 9 hours 40 minutes, to Shanghai (PVG) about 11 hours 20 minutes. Air China, China Eastern, and British Airways operate nonstop. China uses the renminbi (CNY), trading at roughly 7.25 CNY per $1. Western bank cards work at ATMs and major hotels but many local businesses use WeChat Pay and Alipay exclusively. Both apps now allow linking foreign Visa/Mastercard cards for payment. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.

Metro Line 14 from T5 to Xi'an North (high-speed rail) takes 30–35 minutes (¥6). From Xi'an North, HSR connects to Beijing (4.5–6h), Chengdu (3.5–4h), and other cities. City centre metro connections require a transfer at Xi'an North or Xi'an station. Airport buses to Bell Tower/city centre cost ¥30 and take 50–70 minutes.Taxis from XIY are metered; the city centre costs ¥80–120. DiDi ride-hail is the standard option and often slightly cheaper. T3 (older terminal) and T5 (newer, international) are separate buildings; confirm your terminal to avoid arriving at the wrong one. T5 is the dominant terminal for most flights.

Semi-arid continental climate in the Wei River valley. Winters are cold (−5 to 5°C, November–February) with frequent fog in the valley. Xi'an is prone to persistent winter fog that reduces visibility for days at a time, causing delays and diversions. Dust and haze are common in spring (March–May) as sandstorms from the northwest reduce air quality and visibility.

Summers are hot (30–38°C, June–August) with occasional thunderstorms. Autumn (September–October) is the clearest season with moderate temperatures (10–22°C). Air pollution combined with weather inversions creates the worst visibility conditions in winter. Winter connections should account for this.