The New Nonstop and What It Costs
HK Express starts nonstop flights between Hong Kong and Hefei on 3 December 2026, with up to four flights a week, the airline says. The flight takes about two and a half hours. HK Express notes that the route is subject to regulatory approval.
HK Express was the cheapest return fare we found from both ends. In our early December sample it cost USD 50 less than China Eastern’s nonstop from Hong Kong and USD 67 less from Hefei.
China Eastern already flies the route nonstop on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, according to the flights on sale on Wego. With HK Express flying on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is now a nonstop between the two cities every day of the week.
Getting the Timing Right
- Leaving Hong Kong at 09:25: you land in Hefei at 11:35, with most of the day ahead.
- Leaving Hefei at 12:35: you land in Hong Kong at 15:15, so you can fly back without losing the evening.
- Trip length: with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, a Thursday to Sunday trip gives you three nights in Hefei, and a Sunday to Tuesday trip two.
- Flying time: about 2 hours 10 minutes to Hefei and 2 hours 40 minutes back. Hong Kong and Hefei are on the same time.
- Launch fares: HK Express is advertising round-trip fares from HKD 77 on its mainland China routes, including Hefei, for bookings made by 23:45 on 4 October 2026. Seats are limited, and the fare includes only one small personal item, so add baggage before you pay.
Entry Rules and Baggage Before You Book
- Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality: you travel to the mainland on the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, known as the Home Return Permit, as set out by China’s National Immigration Administration.
- Foreign passport holders: ordinary passport holders from many countries, including much of Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia, can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, according to the Chinese government. See our China visa-free countries list for the full list.
- 240-hour transit: Hefei Xinqiao International Airport is one of the entry points for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit, which is for eligible travelers on their way to a third country, the National Immigration Administration says. Check that your trip qualifies before you rely on it.
- Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong: you need an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with a valid endorsement. Hefei is one of the cities whose residents can get an individual visit endorsement, says Hong Kong’s Immigration Department.
- Baggage: the allowance depends on the fare type, so check it on the fare screen before you pay.
The Hong Kong flight lands in Hefei before midday, so you can usually check in that afternoon without booking the night before.
Questions
When does HK Express start flying from Hong Kong to Hefei?
On Thursday 3 December 2026. After that, flights run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. HK Express says the route is subject to regulatory approval.
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Hefei?
About 2 hours 10 minutes to Hefei and 2 hours 40 minutes back, worked out from the scheduled times. HK Express gives the flight time as about two and a half hours.
Is there another nonstop between Hong Kong and Hefei?
Yes. China Eastern flies the route nonstop on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, so between the two airlines there is a nonstop every day.
How much is a Hong Kong to Hefei flight?
In our early December sample, HK Express cost USD 128 return from Hong Kong and USD 129 from Hefei, against USD 178 and USD 196 on China Eastern’s nonstop.
Do foreigners need a visa to visit Hefei?
Ordinary passport holders from many countries can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Check China’s official list for your passport before you book.
Sources
- HK Express, Hefei route and mainland China fare sale, 3 December start, up to four weekly flights, travel period to 27 March 2027 and launch fares, 30 September 2026.
- AeroRoutes, HK Express adds Hefei service from December 2026, flight numbers, times and aircraft, 30 September 2026.
- National Immigration Administration of China, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, retrieved 1 October 2026.
- Embassy of China in the UK, extension of the unilateral visa-free policy, 30-day visa-free stays until 31 December 2026, 1 December 2025.
- National Immigration Administration of China, 240-hour visa-free transit ports, including Hefei Xinqiao, 17 December 2024.
- Hong Kong Immigration Department, entry arrangements for Mainland residents, individual visit scheme cities, retrieved 1 October 2026.
- Wego flight search, Hong Kong to Hefei and Hefei to Hong Kong, sampled 1 October 2026 in USD.
- Featured image: HK Express Airbus A320 B-LCC by lasta29, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
How these figures were produced
- Fares are a Wego flight search for one adult in economy, sampled on 1 October 2026 in USD, flying Sunday 6 December and returning Sunday 13 December 2026 from each end.
- Early December was sampled as the first full weeks of the new route, and Sundays because both nonstop airlines fly that day.
- The other airlines are the cheapest fares on the same dates with the whole trip on one airline, at most one stop and under 25 hours each way. For China Eastern we show its nonstop fare. Durations shown are the outbound journey.
- Flight numbers, days and times are the HK Express and China Eastern flights on sale on Wego for 1 to 13 December 2026. Flying times are worked out from those local times.
- Baggage allowances and refund terms are not taken from the fare feed; check them on the fare you choose before you book.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
