Extended Lunar New Year sees sharp rise in Chinese outbound travel to Thailand, Russia and Australia

China expects about 9.5 billion passenger trips across the 40‑day Spring Festival travel rush, up from 9.02 billion a year earlier, with outbound demand concentrated in Thailand, Russia and Australia and international seat capacity up roughly 9% ahead of the break.

Destination shifts at a glance

Bookings show a clear pattern: Tailandia leads regional short‑haul demand due to warm weather and established tourism links; Rusia has seen more than double the platform bookings year‑on‑year after Moscow waived visas for Chinese visitors; and Australia has rebounded strongly in long‑haul travel, up over 100% on some booking sites. By contrast, travel to Japón has contracted sharply amid political tensions and safety advisories, with flights between China and Japan down nearly 50% in early February.

Key market signals

Operational impacts on airports and transfers

Higher outbound traffic and a rising share of international available seat kilometers mean airports will see increased peak arrivals and departures, with knock‑on effects for ground transport. More inbound flights to popular holiday nodes require ramped‑up taxi and transfer capacity, additional staff for luggage handling, and clearer curbside management to avoid congestion at arrivals.

Implications for taxi and transfer services

• Surge in pickup demand: More simultaneous arrivals increase wait times and require scalable fleets.
• Vehicle mix matters: Families and groups head to warm or snowy destinations—larger private seater vehicles and SUVs are in higher demand.
• Price sensitivity: Amid economic uncertainty, many travellers seek good value—competitive fares and transparent pricing attract bookings.
• Cross‑border transfers: Visa policy shifts (e.g., Russia) create new transfer corridors and drive demand for meet‑and‑greet services.

How travel companies and airports are responding

Flight data providers such as Flight Master reported steep falls on certain routes to Japan, prompting airlines and third‑party platforms to broaden refund and change policies. Aviation intelligence group IBA highlighted the growing role of international markets in Spring Festival travel. Travel operators like Spring Tour (part of Spring Airlines) and analysts at Dragon Trail Research note shifting consumer preferences toward experience spending despite economic headwinds.

Practical tips for holiday transfers

For travellers planning airport pickups or intercity moves during the festival: book early; choose the exact vehicle size and confirm driver details; check baggage allowances and vehicle access for snowy or remote drop‑offs; allow extra time for traffic and longer processing times at busy terminals.

Checklist before you book

• Confirm meet‑and‑greet point and arrival terminal.
• Verify driver name and license details where possible.
• Preselect vehicle type (Private, sedan, 6‑seater, limousine) to match luggage and passenger count.
• Compare fares and cancellation terms to avoid surprises.

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To sum up, the extended Lunar New Year break is driving a notable redistribution of Chinese outbound travel—favoring Thailand’s sun, Russia’s newly eased entry rules, and Australia’s long‑haul rebound—while demand to Japan softens due to political tensions and safety guidance. For travellers and operators alike, the operational picture means higher airport pickup volumes, shifts in vehicle mix, fluctuating fares and the importance of booking exact services ahead of time. GetTransfer.com provides a transparent, global platform to book taxis and private transfers, view the car make, model and driver ratings in advance, and secure reliable, affordable rides for city, airport or intercity transfers—helping you know how much to expect for price, service and seat so you can book with confidence.