£274 Cheap Flights to Shanghai

Why You Should Take a Flight to Shanghai

One of the world’s truly great cities, Shanghai is brimming with culture, history and excitement. Art deco sits side by side with modern, towering sky scrapers and a burgeoning arts and nightlife scene mean there is always something for visitors to do. Plus, there is world class shopping and cuisine to get your teeth into.

When to Book Flights to Shanghai

Except for a few of the chillier months, Shanghai is almost always teeming with tourists. Peak season is between May and October but remember that July and August can be stiflingly hot. September and October are perhaps the ideal months for a more comfortable visit but competition for flights and rooms at this time means it can be a little more expensive.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Shanghai

You can find a choice of cheap flights to Shanghai with Expedia. Simply enter your chosen departure and arrival information, and dates of travel, into the relevant search bars and click through to see the best flight bargains available online. Refine your search using the filter options, including preferred airlines, refundable options and more. Or use the ‘Nearby airports’ and ‘Show flexible dates’ buttons to see even more cheap flights to Shanghai.

UK Departures to Shanghai

Direct and indirect bargain flights to Shanghai are available from several UK departure points, including:

• London to Shanghai – 11 hours 30 minutes
• Manchester to Shanghai – 13 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights)
• Newcastle to Shanghai – 13 hours 15 minutes (no direct flights)
• Birmingham to Shanghai – 13 hours 15 minutes (no direct flights)
• Glasgow to Shanghai – 13 hours 55 minutes (no direct flights)
• Edinburgh to Shanghai – 13 hours 35 minutes (no direct flights)
• Belfast to Shanghai – 14 hours (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Shanghai

There are two major international airports serving the city of Shanghai. Pudong International is located around 30km to the east of the city and serves around 65 million passengers a year, making it one of the busiest in the world. Hongqiao International is mostly for regional and domestic flights, with limited international services. It is slightly less busy, with around 40 million passengers passing through its doors each year.

Which Airlines Fly to Shanghai?

There is a choice of direct and stopping bargain flights to Shanghai from a number of major airlines, including:

• British Airways
• Virgin Atlantic
• China Eastern Airlines

How to Get to and Around Shanghai

Given its size and sheer volume of people, using public transport to get around Shanghai is a must for any visitor. Buses, taxis and the subway system are relatively inexpensive but can be a little confusing at first and traffic can be bad. The subway features 12 lines with another 10 in construction and it’s a good way of covering longer distances. The city boasts around 50,000 taxis but at rush hour these can be difficult to find so try and plan your journey.

What Are the Must-sees in Shanghai?

• The Yuyuan is the only surviving Ming Dynasty garden in the city and is an oasis of calm, with colourful bridges and pagodas.
• For the best view of the city, head to the top of the World Financial Center, the fifth tallest building on the planet.
• Take a stroll around Watertown, catching a boat down the main canal.

Tips and Tricks for Traveling in Shanghai

You need a visa to visit China so you will need to apply at the embassy or online before you travel. It’s important not to overstay the duration of your visa as you may be fined.