By Sylvia Johnson, LagosMove Senior Editor
Last updated: October 26, 2026
You can’t fly nonstop from Lagos to China. Every trip from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) connects at least once, usually in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Cairo. Nigerian passport holders also need a Chinese visa before boarding. This guide covers which airlines sell the route, real fare examples, visa costs in Lagos, and the checks to make before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- No direct flights. We found no verified nonstop Lagos-China service or announcement. Ignore any site that claims “direct” flights unless the airline’s own timetable shows one.
- Main sellers: Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir sell connecting tickets, mostly to Guangzhou (CAN).
- Visa first, ticket second. Ordinary Nigerian passport holders need a visa. Nigeria is not on China’s 240-hour visa-free transit list.
- Visa fees in Lagos start at N10,500 for a single entry, plus a separate visa centre service fee.
- Fares change daily. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways showed fares from about N1.07 million to nearly N3 million in October 2026, depending on airline and dates.
Lagos to China at a Glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Departure airport | Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), Ikeja |
| Most common arrival city | Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) |
| Other cities | Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen (check live schedules) |
| Direct flights | None verified |
| Stops | At least one; some fares have two |
| Visa for Nigerians | Required (ordinary passports) |
| Visa application | Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Lekki Phase 1 |
Airlines Compared: Lagos to Guangzhou
Guangzhou has the best-documented links from Lagos, so it’s the easiest city to compare. The fares below were shown on airline websites during our October 2026 research. They’re snapshots, not quotes.
| Airline | Connection hub | What the airline showed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi (NBO) | Economy from N1,071,672 return; a 19 Nov to 15 Dec 2026 example from N1,217,107 | Labelled as displayed offers, not guaranteed |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa (ADD) | 29 Oct to 5 Nov 2026 return from N2,986,116 | Fares collected within the past 48 hours |
| Emirates | Dubai (DXB) | Flights EK 784 and EK 362, about 20h 40m to 21h total | One connection |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (IST) | Fares vary by month | Check live pricing |
| Qatar Airways / EgyptAir | Doha (DOH) / Cairo (CAI) | Sold as connecting trips | Schedules not confirmed in our research |
Notice the gap between the cheapest and dearest fares. That’s why you should compare at least three airlines for the same dates. For a deeper Guangzhou breakdown, read our Lagos to Guangzhou flights guide.
Flights from Lagos to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen
Beijing. Expect one or two connections. We couldn’t verify current flight numbers or fares for Lagos-Beijing, so search live airline sites for your dates. Beijing has two major airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). Check which one your ticket uses.
Shanghai. Shanghai also has two airports, Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). Most international flights use Pudong. If you’re staying in the city, see our guide on where to stay in Shanghai.
Shenzhen. Many traders fly into Guangzhou and go on to Shenzhen by train or road. Compare that with a ticket ending in Shenzhen itself. Count the extra travel time and cost, not just the fare.
Chinese Visa for Nigerians: Fees and Where to Apply
Sort your visa before you buy a non-refundable ticket.
Who needs a visa? Ordinary Nigerian passport holders need a visa for mainland China. Only Nigerian diplomatic and official passport holders can enter visa-free, for up to 30 days, according to the CHINESE EMBASSY IN NIGERIA.
Can I use 240-hour visa-free transit? No. The NATIONAL IMMIGRATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA publishes the list of eligible countries for its 240-hour visa-free transit policy, and Nigeria isn’t on it.
Where to apply in Lagos: Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Second Floor, The Manor, Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki Phase 1. Phone: +234 807 989 0023. Email: lagoscentre@visaforchina.org.
How it works: Fill in the China Online Visa Application (COVA) form on the official site (cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn) and print it. Then submit your documents in person, pay, and give your fingerprints at the centre.
Visa fees for Nigerian citizens (from the CHINESE CONSULATE-GENERAL IN LAGOS, official notice):
| Visa type | Fee per person |
|---|---|
| Single entry | N10,500 |
| Double entry | N15,750 |
| Multiple entry, 6 months | N21,000 |
| Multiple entry, 12 months | N31,500 |
These fees cover the visa only. They fall under a reduced-fee policy that runs to December 31, 2026. The visa centre charges its own service fee on top. A centre notice listed N36,800 including taxes, but confirm the current amount with the centre before you budget.
Transit Rules at Your Connection Airport
Your stopover country has its own rules. They depend on your passport, the airport, and whether you leave the transit area. Before paying, check your full route on the IATA TRAVEL CENTRE (iatatravelcentre.com) and confirm with your airline. If you’re connecting through Dubai, our Lagos to Dubai flights guide covers that hub.
Book one ticket for the whole trip if you can. On a single ticket, the airline usually rebooks you if a delay makes you miss a connection. Separate tickets may mean collecting bags, clearing immigration, and buying a new flight yourself.
How to Choose the Right Route
- Total journey time. Compare full door-to-door hours, not just the price.
- Layover length. Too short risks a missed connection. Too long means hours stuck in an airport.
- Operating airline. The airline that sells the ticket may not fly every leg. Baggage and change rules often follow the operating carrier.
- Baggage allowance. Traders carrying samples should check checked-bag limits and excess fees on every leg.
- Change and refund rules. Visa delays happen. A flexible fare can save you money if your visa comes late.
Use comparison sites to scan options, then book or confirm on the airline’s own website.
Before You Leave for Murtala Muhammed Airport
- Confirm your terminal. International flights use the international terminal, but check your booking. Our Lagos airport terminal guide explains MMIA, MMA1 and MMA2.
- Leave early. Lagos traffic, rain and roadworks can add hours. Follow your airline’s check-in deadline and add a large road buffer.
- Check your documents. Carry your passport, visa, return ticket and hotel details. Our Lagos travel requirements guide has a full document checklist.
- Yellow fever card. Carry your certificate. The WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has yellow fever guidance, and airlines may check your card.
- Plan your wait. For a calmer start to a long trip, see our Lagos airport lounge access guide.
Want help with tickets and visa paperwork? Compare options in our list of Lagos travel agencies. Never pay into a personal account, and check any booking on the airline’s site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there direct flights from Lagos to China?
No. We found no verified nonstop service. Some booking sites list “direct” fares, but airline schedules show these trips connect. Check the airline’s own timetable before trusting that label.
How long is the flight from Lagos to China?
It depends on the route. Emirates schedules to Guangzhou that we checked took about 20 hours 40 minutes to 21 hours with one stop. Two-stop trips can take longer.
How much is a flight from Lagos to China?
There’s no fixed price. In October 2026, Kenya Airways showed Lagos-Guangzhou return fares from N1,071,672 and Ethiopian showed one from N2,986,116 for late October dates. Prices change daily.
Can Nigerians enter China without a visa?
Not with an ordinary passport. Only Nigerian diplomatic and official passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 30 days. Nigeria isn’t on China’s 240-hour visa-free transit list.
How much is a Chinese visa in Nigeria?
Under the current reduced-fee policy, a single-entry visa costs N10,500 and a 12-month multiple-entry visa costs N31,500. The visa centre charges a separate service fee.
Where do I apply for a Chinese visa in Lagos?
At the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki Phase 1. Fill in the COVA form online first.
The Bottom Line
Flights from Lagos to China take planning, not luck. Get your visa started early. Compare at least three airlines on the same dates. Book one ticket for the whole trip, and check every leg’s baggage rules. Then leave for Murtala Muhammed with time to spare. For more routes, browse our guide to international flights from Lagos.
Many China itineraries connect through the Gulf. See our guide to flights from Lagos to Dubai for the Emirates nonstop, and check UAE transit and visa rules before you book a connection there.
Sylvia Johnson is the Senior Editor at LagosMove, covering travel logistics for Nigerians flying from Lagos.
