Top airlines fly to Shanghai
China Eastern Airlines
Air China
Spring Airlines
Juneyao Airlines
China Southern Airlines
Shanghai Airlines
Hainan Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
Xiamen Airlines
Shenzhen Airlines
Sichuan Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Thai Airways
Shandong Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
American Airlines
Latest Flight Deals to Shanghai
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China United Airlines

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Juneyao Airlines

Juneyao Airlines

Spring Airlines
When is the cheapest time to book flights to Shanghai?
Which month has the cheapest one-way flights from Guangzhou to Shanghai?
Based on Trip.com’s data, the cheapest month for flights from Guangzhou to Shanghai is November, with an average price of $55; while the month with the highest flight price is usually February, with an average price of up to $94.
What's the cheapest day to fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai?
Based on Trip.com data from the past 12 months, the cheapest day to fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai is Saturday, with average prices lower than on other days. Avoid Friday, as prices are usually highest then.
Round-trip fights to Shanghai
Whether it's a quick getaway or a business trip to remember, our 3–7 day round trips are perfect for experiencing Shanghai affordably.
Useful info for your flights to Shanghai from the United States
| Cheapest one-way flight price | $433 |
|---|---|
| Cheapest round-trip ticket price | $1,266 |
| Cheapest month | January |
| Peak season for travel | January |
| Flight distance | 11,870.79 km |
| Average flight time | 15 hours 2 minutes |
| Popular airline | China Eastern Airlines |
Flights to Shanghai (SHA): What You Need to Know
Shanghai is a major global gateway in China, known for its Bund waterfront, futuristic skyline, and cosmopolitan vibe. U.S. travelers need a passport valid 6+ months, and most require a tourist visa (some qualify for 10-day visa-free transit). Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of New York, so adjust your sleep to minimize jet lag.
Direct flights from the U.S. to Shanghai are available mainly from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). Most flights typically land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), while a few flights also serve Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). There’re also connecting flights (with stops at Tokyo, Taipei, or Hong Kong).
Top U.S. Cities to SHA | Average Flight Duration | Common Stopover Hubs |
18-22 hours | Beijing (PEK), Seoul (ICN) | |
17-22 hours | Tokyo (HND), Hong Kong (HKG) | |
18-19 hours | Tokyo (HND), Seattle (SEA) |
What’s the Cheapest Time to Fly to Shanghai?
Knowing the cheapest time to fly to Shanghai, with an average price for a round trip.
Period | Average Cost | Why? |
Cheapest (Late Jan-Mar, Nov) | ~$400-$600 | Post-holiday, low demand |
Moderate (Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct) | ~$600-$900 | Shoulder seasons with mild weather |
Most Expensive (Jul-Aug, Dec) | ~$1000-$1500 | Summer vacations, Christmas/New Year |
Booking Tips:
- Fly midweek (Tue/Wed) for cheaper fares!
- Book 1-2 months in advance to maximize the best price and seats.
- Choosing connecting flights saves you more~
Low-Cost Airlines Flying to Shanghai
Check out these low-cost airlines, listed with the cost & stopover hubs.
Airlines | Airline Type | Routes | One-Way Fare |
Flag carrier | Los Angeles - Shanghai (layover in Manila) | ~$489 | |
Full-service carrier | San Francisco - Shanghai (layover in Taipei) | ~$556 | |
Flag carrier | Seatle - Shanghai (layover in Seoul) | ~$687 |
About Shanghai Airports – PVG & SHA
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
PVG is a major global hub with two terminals (T1 & T2) and satellite halls. It offers duty-free shopping, dining, lounges, free Wi‑Fi, banking services, and smart airport features, with a new Terminal 3 under construction to expand capacity.
Getting to downtown Shanghai from PVG
- Maglev Train: ~$6.9 one way; 8 mins to Longyang Road + transfer to Metro Line 2 (~30 mins in total); fastest choice; show your flight ticket for ~$1.3 discount!
- Metro Line 2: ~$0.9-$2 (depending on distance); 40-60 mins to downtown.
- Taxi/Ride-Hailing: ~$20-$40; 30-50 mins (traffic dependent); use ride-hailing (like Didi) for fixed fares.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
SHA is the city’s domestic-focused hub, located closer to downtown than Pudong. But it sometimes offers international flights via certain airlines like Air China. It has two terminals and offers seamless connections to high-speed rail, making travel within China convenient and efficient.
Getting to downtown Shanghai from SHA
- Metro Line 2/10: ~$0.7-$0.9; 30-50 mins to downtown; avoid rush hour (7-9 am/5-7 pm)
- Airport Shuttle Bus: ~$0.2-$4; 40-60 mins; night bus (316) operates 11:00 pm-5:00 am
- Taxi/Ride-Hailing: ~$13-$20 (higher in late-night); 20-45 mins; follow signs for (online car-hailing)
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
The best time to visit Shanghai is in Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov). With an average temperature of around 20°C (68°F), enjoy your visit to the waterfront Bund and Yu Garden with blooming peonies and beautiful lantern festivals.
- Peak Seasons (Spring, Summer, and Oct): hotels and flights are higher than usual; blossoms, festivals, and holidays.
- Shoulder Seasons: (early Sep & late Nov): summer crowd fades; post-Qingming with fewer rains.
- Off-Season (Jan-Feb, Jul): freezing weather, but with lunar new year vibes; July is with downpours and humid air.
Frequently asked questions about flights to Shanghai
What is the average flight ticket price from United States to Shanghai?
The average ticket price to Shanghai is $850. Please use this price as a reference only.How long is the flight to Shanghai?
- Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes to fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai.
- Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes to fly from Beijing to Shanghai.
- Approx. 2 hours 34 minutes to fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai.
- Approx. 2 hours 23 minutes to fly from Shenzhen to Shanghai.
How to get cheap flights to Shanghai?
You can book cheaper flights in the following ways:- Search for tickets to a city or airport near Shanghai.
- Look up different airlines that have flights to Shanghai.
- Browse different departure dates from the same month.
- Filter for different departure times from the same day.
- Check for discount information on various social media sites.
- Explore deals and discounts on airline websites.
What is the most popular month to visit Shanghai?
Understanding peak and off travel seasons to Shanghai can help you arrange your travel plans accordingly. The most popular month to visit Shanghai is October. The average price of flight tickets to Shanghai in October is $655.When are the cheapest flights to Shanghai?
Flight tickets to Shanghai are the cheapest in January compared to other months, the average price is $400.How many airports in Shanghai?
Which popular airlines have flights to Shanghai?
Popular airlines with flights to Shanghai: China Eastern Airlines , Spring Airlines , and Juneyao Airlines .
Note: Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest price and include all taxes and fees found in the last 24 hours.