Cheap Flights from London to Shanghai

Travelling from London to Shanghai: what you need to know

• You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from London to Shanghai. Check out your options for flying out of London from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also service London.

• Touch down in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

• Take a direct London to Shanghai flight and you'll be flying for an average of 11 hours 40 minutes.

• Shanghai is eight hours ahead of London and follows the UTC+8 timezone.

• London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 14 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from London to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:20. Choose the first LHR to PVG departure operated by Virgin Atlantic at 12:00 to make the most of your arrival in Shanghai.

• For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your London to Shanghai flight.

• Flying during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.

How to find the cheapest flights from London to Shanghai

• Book one month before you travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap London to Shanghai flights.

• The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from London to Shanghai is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.

• There's no need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's a better deal on cheap flights from London to Shanghai.

• Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your London to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'

Flying from London

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

• If you're searching for a direct flight from London to Shanghai, you can depart from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Get from LHR to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) without any stops.

• Leading carriers that offer direct London to Shanghai plane tickets from LHR include:

  • Virgin Atlantic

  • British Airways

  • China Eastern Airlines

• We make it easy to book a London to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from London Heathrow Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:

  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

  • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

  • Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

• Travelling from central London to LHR takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 55 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

• Have an early flight from London to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near London Heathrow Airport:

  • Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4

  • Premier Inn Heathrow Airport Terminal 4

  • Crowne Plaza London Heathrow T4, an IHG Hotel

• Of all flights leaving London Heathrow Airport, 68.18% arrive as scheduled at their destination.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

• You can take a nonstop flight from London to Shanghai departing from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Start your trip at LGW and disembark at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

• From LGW, you can book a direct London to Shanghai plane ticket with China Eastern Airlines.

• Break up your London to Shanghai flight with a stop so you can recharge or tick a new place off your list. Some great stopovers between London Gatwick Airport and Shanghai include:

  • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

• Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 20 minutes.

• Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from London to Shanghai? Check in to a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your trip officially begins. Consider one of these stays:

  • Sofitel London Gatwick

  • Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central

  • Hilton London Gatwick Airport

• 69.26% of all departures from London Gatwick Airport make it to their destination as expected.

Stansted Airport (STN)

• Booking a ticket from London to Shanghai with a stop or two can give you more departure time choices and access to lower fares. When flying from Stansted Airport (STN), here are a few places you can make a pit stop at on the way to Shanghai:

  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

  • Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)

• STN is roughly 48 kilometres from central London. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour. If you're thinking about using public transport, you can expect a journey of around 1 hour 25 minutes.

• Take the 'what ifs' out of departure day — stay close to Stansted Airport and know you'll get to your boarding gate with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early London to Shanghai flight:

  • Novotel London Stansted Airport

  • Ramada London Stansted Airport

  • Days Inn London Stansted Airport

• Flights departing from STN land at their destination within the scheduled time frame 64.73% of the time.

Arriving in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

• The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.

• Consider booking a hotel near PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from London to Shanghai. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:

  • Vienna International Hotel Shanghai Pudong International Toursim Resort Airport

  • Jinjiang Inn Select (Shanghai Pudong Airport)

  • Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Airport

• Go beyond Shanghai and check out places that don't always get the spotlight with your own wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.

• Increase the odds of getting the best possible rate by booking as early as you can. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance is a smart idea.

• PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

• Central Shanghai is around 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). After your flight from London to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.

• After your flight from London to Shanghai, tuck yourself in at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:

  • YaTi by Artyzen Hongqiao Shanghai.

  • Grand Mercure Shanghai Hongqiao

  • Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao

• Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and unlock a world of freedom with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.

• Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better the deals and selection of vehicles. Secure your ride from SHA the moment you know your dates.

• You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

• It's time to choose your dates for your flight from London to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to travel to Shanghai. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in April.

• When booking your London to Shanghai tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).

• If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from London to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).

More about Shanghai

• Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from London to Shanghai, browse our selection of accommodation options including:

  • Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

  • Starr Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai Railway Station)

  • Dayin International Youth Hostel - East Nanjing Road & People's Square & The Bund Branch

• There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are major attractions which should be on any good Shanghai itinerary.

Explore more of China

• Shanghai is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of China waiting to be explored. About 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.

• Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another favourite stop in China. No visit is complete without checking out Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.