Cheap flights to Shanghai
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Shanghai and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
China
Continent
Asia
Airport
PVG
Currency
Renminbi yuan
Time zone
UTC+8
Deals already spotted to Shanghai
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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The skyline city
China's largest city and its global gateway
Shanghai is China's biggest city, with about 25 million people at the 2020 census, and one of the busiest container ports in the world; its metro is among the longest on the planet. What makes it unique is a view you can walk along: on the west bank of the Huangpu, the Bund lines up the buildings of the concession era, and on the east bank Pudong raises its towers.
From a trading port to a metropolis
The city opened to foreign trade after the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 and grew into a treaty-port metropolis, with foreign concessions that left their mark on its architecture. Shanghai became a municipality in 1927, and Pudong was designated a special economic zone in 1990, the starting point of the skyline you see today.
The Bund and Pudong
The Bund and the Pudong skyline: Shanghai's signature view
One river, the Huangpu, and two eras
On the west bank, the Bund is a free 1.5 km promenade lined with 52 Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 30s. Across the water, Pudong's towers include the Oriental Pearl Tower at 468 m and the Shanghai Tower, 632 m and 118 floors, completed in 2015. The promenade is at its best at dusk, so arrive by about 5.30 pm to watch the lights come on over the river.
Going up the Shanghai Tower
The tower's observatory, from the world's third-tallest skyscraper, gives a sweeping view of the river and the city. Tickets can be booked online, often cheaper than in the queue on site; check current conditions and opening hours before you go.
Old town and French Concession
Yu Garden, Tianzifang and the French Concession
Yu Garden
A garden from the Ming era, more than 400 years old, in the old city; arrive around 8.30 am, before the tour groups. The bazaar around it sells xiaolongbao, the steamed soup dumplings.
Tianzifang and Xintiandi
Tianzifang is a maze of shikumen lanes full of galleries, while Xintiandi has turned preserved lane houses into an upscale dining and shopping district.
Huaihai Road
Leafy and relaxed, Huaihai Road is the place for shopping and cafes in the former French Concession.
Museums and culture
Museums, temples and contemporary art
| Place | What you will find |
|---|---|
| Shanghai Museum (People's Square) | More than 120,000 pieces: bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jades and paintings of ancient China |
| Power Station of Art | A contemporary art museum in a former power plant on the Huangpu riverside |
| Jing'an Temple | A Buddhist temple at the end of Nanjing Road, in the middle of a shopping district |
| Jade Buddha Temple | A Buddhist temple known for its jade Buddha statues |
Opening hours, visiting conditions and prices change: check before you go.
Food and shopping
Xiaolongbao, hairy crabs and Nanjing Road
What to eat
Xiaolongbao, the steamed soup dumplings, are the dish to try, and a cheap local breakfast is part of the experience. Guidebooks mention Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road, Nanxiang Mantou Dian and the Din Tai Fung chain. Between October and December, hairy crab season gives Shanghai its signature autumn flavor.
Where to shop
Nanjing Road runs 5.5 km from the Bund to Jing'an Temple and has a pedestrian section. For luxury, head to Plaza 66 and HKRI Taikoo Hui.
Day trips
Zhujiajiao, Disney, Suzhou and Hangzhou
| Destination | From the center | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| Zhujiajiao | about 1 h by bus, or Metro Line 17 | A canal town with bridges, including the Fangsheng Bridge of 1571; free entry |
| Shanghai Disney Resort | Metro Line 11 | Opened in Pudong on 16 June 2016, with the largest Disney castle (69 m) |
| Suzhou | about 30 to 40 min by high-speed train | A city of canals and classical gardens |
| Hangzhou | about 1 h by high-speed train | West Lake and its gardens |
Rounded times, depending on the train and the starting point; high-speed trains leave notably from Hongqiao station.
Getting there
Pudong, Hongqiao and the maglev
Shanghai Pudong
The main international airport, about 40 km east of the center. The maglev links the airport to Longyang Road station, about 30 km, in roughly 8 minutes; its current service speed is about 300 km/h (431 km/h before 2021). Longyang Road connects to the metro but is some distance from the center.
Shanghai Hongqiao
The city's other airport, about 12 km west of the center and often used for domestic and regional flights; it is linked to Hongqiao railway station, where high-speed trains depart.
Approximate distances and times based on Wikivoyage and Wikipedia; timetables and arrangements change, so check before you travel. We do not quote fares.
| Route | Approximate time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| PVG, maglev then metro | about 8 min by maglev to Longyang Road, then the metro | Fast, but with a change; the station is some distance from the center |
| PVG, metro Line 2 | about 1 h to People's Square | Direct, no change, cheaper than the maglev |
| PVG, taxi | about 45 min to 1 h | Depends on traffic; handy with luggage |
| SHA, metro Lines 2 and 10 | about 25 to 35 min to People's Square (Line 2) | Runs until late evening; night bus afterwards |
| SHA, taxi | about 20 to 40 min | Expect a queue at busy times |
Getting around
Metro, payment and budget in Shanghai
Shanghai's metro is among the longest in the world and the simplest way to get around; it is clean and air-conditioned, but crowded at rush hour, and the last train usually leaves around 10.30 pm. Foreign bank cards and mobile payment can be used to enter the metro, and mobile payment (Alipay, WeChat Pay) is widespread across the city.
Cost level
The cost level is moderate to high for China: Shanghai is more expensive than most other Chinese cities, but transport and local food stay affordable, with accommodation from basic to luxury. It is a very safe city; the usual precautions are enough in crowds. Entry rules for China (visas, visa-free transit) change, so check them with the authorities before you book.
When to go
When to visit Shanghai?
Spring
Often cloudy and rainy, but pleasant for walking around the city before the humid heat.
Summer
A humid subtropical climate: highs around 33 degrees C in July and August, with rain and thunderstorms; typhoons remain possible from July to September.
Autumn
October and November are the best season, at 15 to 22 degrees C, and it is also hairy crab season.
Winter
Around 5 degrees C on average in January, a damp cold that feels sharper than the thermometer says.
By length of stay
How long should you spend in Shanghai?
The essentials
The Bund, Pudong and the old town with Yu Garden.
In more depth
Add the French Concession, a museum and Zhujiajiao or Disney.
With the surroundings
Add Suzhou and Hangzhou by high-speed train.
Why track Shanghai with SniperAir
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In pictures
Shanghai in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Shanghai
What is the best time to visit Shanghai?
October and November, at 15 to 22 degrees C. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold and damp.
Which airport should I fly into for Shanghai?
Shanghai has two airports, Pudong (PVG), the main international airport, and Hongqiao (SHA), closer to the center and often used for domestic flights. Check which one serves your flight.
How long does it take to get from Pudong airport to the center?
PVG is about 40 km from the center. The maglev takes about 8 minutes to Longyang Road, after which you take the metro; metro Line 2 reaches People's Square in about 1 hour without a change. From Hongqiao (SHA), allow about 25 to 40 minutes.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Two to three days for the Bund, Pudong, the old town and the French Concession, plus a day for Zhujiajiao or Disney.
Is Shanghai expensive?
It is more expensive than most other Chinese cities, but public transport and local food remain affordable. Mobile payment is widespread.
How do I get around Shanghai?
Mostly by metro, one of the longest in the world; taxis are relatively cheap and the maglev links Pudong airport to Longyang Road station.
What should I eat in Shanghai?
Xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings), street breakfasts and, from October to December, hairy crab.
Do I need to book the Shanghai Tower in advance?
Tickets are sold online, often cheaper than in the queue on site. Check current conditions and opening hours before you go.
How much does a flight to Shanghai usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Shanghai drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Shanghai as your destination and your maximum budget. You're notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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