Japan to China
 

We'd like to fly to Japan for a couple days, then somehow get over to China. I've looked at flights from Japan to China but they seem so expensive. Is there a cheap way to get there and back that I'm not finding?
Connie

With the disclaimer that I haven't travelled this way myself - but my son has, and he gave a positive report - you might want to check out the ferry options, starting with this site:

http://www.seejapan.co.uk/transport/...rnational.html

I'm wondering, though, what's the point of just a couple of days in Japan, unless you're planning to spend more time there on your way back?

Why don't you fly to China with a stopover in Japan. Buying 2 seperate tickets will cost more.

Another option might be to get a ticket between Japan and China from an agent in Japan. There are consolodators all over the place, and they advertise cheap prices...these prices aren't always available but sometiimes they are. It depends on your date of traveln and overall availability. I think you'd have to book from within Japan though.

The stopover idea is an excellent one. Find out what carriers would fly you from your home to Beijing or Shanghai with connections in Tokyo or Osaka. ANA and JAL (maybe with their partners) probably both do. If you are coming from the US then I think that United goes to Beijing via Tokyo.

After you find a fare, look at the fare rules to see if a stopover is allowed. For some fares it is free; for others you may pay $100.

On second thought, the easiest way to do it is to use the multi-destination option on a ticket website search page (i.e. travelocity or united or other airline website).

Thanks Neil Oz for the www. I wondered about a ferry service. It says it takes 2 days and is $180. The www also suggested rail across China, which is Trans-Siberian Railway but stops in China. Sounds like a flight is really the only logical way to get from Japan to China.

KimJapan, I looked at multi-stop ticket through Travelocity but they are much more expensive. I can get a r/t ticket for $650 from Chicago to Japan, but a multi-destination (Chicago/Japan/China and back is $1,800. Maybe I'm not entering the correct information?

mrwunrfl, I am going to try your idea of finding a puddle jumper japanese flight from Japan to China to Japan then home. The reason only want a couple days in Japan is, I guess to say I was there. See a couple days. I know it won't be in depth. It just seems a shame to fly over Japan without a quick look-see.
OH, mrwunrfl - NOW THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT.. you said, "After you find a fare, look at the fare rules to see if a stopover is allowed. For some fares it is free; for others you may pay $100." I will definately check that out right away and see if that would work, and let you know.
Thanks to all, so very much. This is a great board. Travelors helping other travelors. *hugs*