Is it possible to transit China(TFU) with multi city tickets

Question

Hi everyone, so, there's a new China's 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy, which allowes you to stay up to 10 days if you have transit airline tickets, but how do I buy these type of tickets, is it only an option to have one booking reference, or is it allowed to have two different tickets? In my case it should be Hanoi - Chengdu, and then Chengdu - Istanbul.

Also, is it possible to fly inside China? Let's say I want to visit Zhangjiajie, is it possible to fly back and force from Chengdu?

Would be appreciate for any help.

Thanks!

Answer

The 240-hour Visa-Free Transit (VFT) policy in China allows eligible travelers from certain countries to stay in specific cities or regions of China for up to 10 days without a visa, provided you meet the transit requirements. In your case, Chengdu is part of the eligible cities.

Ticket requirements for VFT:

To qualify for the 240-hour transit, you need to have confirmed onward international travel that meets the following conditions:

Your arrival and departure must be from one of the designated cities or regions offering the 240-hour VFT (e.g., Chengdu).
Your onward ticket must be to a third country (not returning to your origin country, unless your origin is different from your last stopover before China).
The ticket can be either on the same booking reference (single PNR) or separate tickets, as long as both are confirmed and fall within the 10-day transit window.

So in your example — Hanoi → Chengdu → Istanbul — you can use two separate tickets, provided both are confirmed and you meet the entry requirements at Chengdu. The border officials may ask to see both tickets, so keep them accessible.

Domestic flights inside China:

Yes, it is possible to travel within China on domestic flights during your 240-hour visa-free stay. For example, you could fly from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie for a few days, and then return to Chengdu to catch your onward international flight to Istanbul. The key points are:

Ensure all domestic flights are booked and confirmed before arrival to avoid issues.
The 240-hour visa-free transit allows you to leave the airport and travel within the city or province; traveling to other cities by domestic flights is generally allowed as long as your stay does not exceed 10 days.
Always carry your passport, onward international ticket, and hotel reservations when traveling within China under the VFT policy, as authorities may request documentation.

In summary:

You can use either a single booking or multiple separate tickets for your transit, as long as they are confirmed and meet the 240-hour VFT requirements.
Domestic travel inside China during your visa-free transit is permitted, so visiting places like Zhangjiajie from Chengdu is feasible.
Plan your internal travel carefully to ensure you return to Chengdu in time for your onward international flight.

With this planning, you can make the most of your transit period and enjoy both Chengdu and other Chinese destinations without needing a separate visa.

Is it possible to transit China(TFU) with multi city tickets

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