Visa-Free Hainan: Why a Flight from Prague Works, but One from Vienna Doesn't

China's Hainan Island, often dubbed the "Hawaii of China" for its tropical beaches and lush scenery, is drawing growing interest from tourists thanks to a relaxed visa policy and affordable flights. Right now, cheap tickets to Sanya's local airport are available from both Prague and Vienna — but the visa rules for Czech citizens differ significantly depending on which route you take.

Under the general rule, visitors can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days — but only if they arrive on a direct international flight.

SCAT Airlines offers Prague–Sanya tickets from 14,290 CZK, with plenty of dates available from July 2025 through March 2027. Since this is a direct international flight, Czech travelers can take advantage of the visa-free entry.

Hainan Airlines, meanwhile, offers a cheaper option starting at 10,990 CZK, mostly for November departures — but flying out of Vienna with a layover in Chengdu, China. In this case, the visa-free scheme doesn't apply, since the connection takes place on Chinese soil, technically making the flight domestic rather than international.

According to Chinese officials, to qualify for visa-free entry to Hainan, travelers must arrive either on a direct international flight from their home country, via a third country, or through Hong Kong or Macau — but not via another airport on mainland China.

This particular issue affects Czech citizens specifically. Slovaks, Austrians, and Hungarians, along with many other Europeans, are entitled to visa-free entry across all of mainland China and don't run into these kinds of routing restrictions.

So when planning a trip to Hainan, it's worth checking not just the ticket price but also the flight route — since that alone can determine whether you'll need a visa at all.

Read also: 8 Best Swimming Spots near Prague: Lakes, Quarries and Beaches Within an Hour of the Capital

Source: cestujlevne.com