Flying from Paris to Shanghai: what you need to know
When looking for a flight from Paris to Shanghai, there's a nice selection of airports to depart from. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA) are among Paris's main terminals.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's chief entry points.
A direct flight from Paris to Shanghai takes an average of 12 hours 1 minute. The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is 7 hours ahead of Paris.
The most popular route for flights from Paris to Shanghai is from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Choose from 27 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going first thing, the earliest flight from CDG to PVG is the 12:25 China Eastern Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 23:55 with Air France.
Give yourself enough time to get on your flight from Paris to Shanghai. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like June and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
To enter China for tourism purposes, you will need a visa if you have a passport from France. However, visa rules can change and you may need additional documents depending on the length and purpose of your visit. Always check the most recent guidelines before booking your cheap flight from Paris to Shanghai.
Flying from Paris
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Paris to Shanghai, they're available from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Fly from CDG to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) without making any stops.
China Eastern Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Paris to Shanghai departing from CDG.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for flights from Paris to Shanghai departing from Charles de Gaulle Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Manchester Airport (MAN)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
The journey from central Paris to CDG takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 27 kilometres in 44 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Paris to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport:
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Split up your flight from Paris to Shanghai with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick another place off your list. Some top stopovers between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Shanghai are:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Manchester Airport (MAN)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
ORY is about 19 kilometres from central Paris. It takes 34 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 57 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Paris Orly Airport the day before your flight from Paris to Shanghai:
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 49 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Paris to Shanghai. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is approximately 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Once your flight from Paris to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 21 minutes.
There are some cosy stays to park your luggage (and yourself) near SHA. Unwind after your flight from Paris to Shanghai at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Paris to Shanghai
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Paris to Shanghai is 286 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 470 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap tickets from Paris to Shanghai, book in advance. Airlines usually offer their best fares when flights are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across the month when searching for your ticket from Paris to Shanghai.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Paris to Shanghai. There's no need to check every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll notify you as soon as the price changes.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Paris to Shanghai, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Shanghai
July is the busiest month for flights from Paris to Shanghai. To avoid the crowds, go to Shanghai in April.
Lock in your flight from Paris to Shanghai for August if you'd like to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC to 34ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Paris to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Paris to Shanghai:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are highlights which should be on any good Shanghai itinerary.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Check out our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Paris to Shanghai. Whether you're looking for a compact ride, family sedan or something that makes a statement, you can compare companies in one go to find the perfect deal.