sherman

I am planning on spending around 5 months in "Southeast Asia" and another few months in Australia. I will begin by flying into China (from US) and "Plinko" on down thru Asia to Australia. I have not set any transportation arrangements as I am unsure of all the "where and whens", and because I hear it will be much cheaper to purchase these when I'm there.

My biggest concern right now is documents, and my big-biggest concern is how I will fly into China and train (or fly) south to Vietnam or elsewhere to the south. How can I get a visa if I plan on traveling into China by air from the US but out by an undetermined means? I've considered buying a RT ticket (as it is really not much more expensive) and just not using the return segment? Any problem with this? Any other ideas? THANKS!!!

P.S. I'll have plenty more questions as the departure approaches (in June)!

Kathie

Since you have to apply for your Chinese visa in advance, talk with the Chinese embassy or consulate about this question. Certainly others have done this, so I expect they have a procedure for it.

rkkwan

I really don't think that will be a problem for getting a Chinese visa. Tonnes of people fly into China, and then exit via Hong Kong by road/ferry, with no advanced tickets necessary. Extremely reasonable and common thing to do.

rv224

If you are coming from the US or Canada there are two Asia Airpasses you should look into. Both Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines have Airpasses where you pay for US-Asia roundtrip plus pay for up to 20 cities in Asia. It's about US$1100 per person. However, you will have to pay extra for doing it over a 30 day period.

Check out the websites:
http://www.cathay-usa.com/offers/aap/subdefault.asp

http://www.malaysiaairlinesusa.com/frame5c.html

Bchen

First off, you don't have to enter or exit through the same city, but do get a visa for China. I am assuming you meant getting documents for subsequent countries after China. There are tons of Embassies in Beijing (Including Vietnam) and you can get those visas once you are here and have a better idea of when you'll make it there. Also in Kunming, there are visa services for the countries that border the SW of China. Your best bet is to look up the Embassy of the country you wish to visit after China. Go to its webpage and check out the list of consulates it has in China and HK. Then, when you are in Vietnam, you can obtain the visa for the third country.

Just and FYI, even UA passport holders need a visa for Australia. Maybe you can get an ETA when you purchase your ticket. You don't want to get too many visas in advance as most require you to enter within 30 days of issue.

JannaG

I've gotten visas for China without showing any proof of entry and exit such as airtickets. For e.g. sometimes I get visas for visits to Shenzhen from HK and only fly to and from HK. There's really no problems with that kind of plan as far as I know.

Clifton

For the Australia ETA, you can do it all online at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

It's valid for 12 months from purchase and allows up to 3 months stay at a time. Don't expect paper, it's just an entry in their database that let's them know you're coming.

sherman

Thanks for all your help.

I've another question: I have established that I am flying one-way from Honolulu (HNL) to Shanghai (PVG) during the week of June 11th. The lowest fare I've found is $640 on Phillipine Airlines website. That is a fair price, but any ideas how I can do it for cheaper?