iDiscover the best prices by selecting your travel dates.
China Southern
CZ 8050
→ Outbound · 27 Sep
LGW
London Gatwick
PVG
Shanghai
10:10 PM
27 Sep
19h 10m
12:20 AM
29 Sep
← Return · 7 Oct
SHA
Shanghai
LHR
London Heathrow
8:50 AM
7 Oct
17h 30m
7:20 PM
7 Oct
from
£430
Return · per adult
British Airways
BA 0169
→ Outbound · 8 Nov
LHR
London Heathrow
PVG
Shanghai
12:25 PM
8 Nov
12h 45m
Direct
9:10 AM
9 Nov
← Return · 18 Nov
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
LHR
London Heathrow
10:55 AM
18 Nov
14h 50m
Direct
5:45 PM
18 Nov
from
£530
Return · per adult
China Eastern
MU 202
→ Outbound · 20 Dec
LGW
London Gatwick
PVG
Shanghai
10:30 AM
20 Dec
11h 35m
Direct
6:05 AM
21 Dec
← Return · 30 Dec
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
LGW
London Gatwick
9:15 AM
30 Dec
12h 45m
Direct
2:00 PM
30 Dec
from
£974
Return · per adult
Gulf Air
GF 2
→ Outbound · 31 Jan
LHR
London Heathrow
PVG
Shanghai
9:30 AM
31 Jan
18h 25m
11:55 AM
1 Feb
← Return · 10 Feb
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
LHR
London Heathrow
4:30 PM
10 Feb
22h 05m
6:35 AM
11 Feb
from
£514
Return · per adult
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Popular airlines to Shanghai
Top 10 airlines flying from London to Shanghai
Cheapest and average return economy fares by carrier, from our sampled live searches. Fares change constantly — tap Search to see live prices for your dates.
| Airline | Cheapest | Average | Flights | Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Southern | £430 | £588 | With stops | |
| Gulf Air | £534 | £577 | With stops | |
 Air India | £560 | £644 | With stops | |
| China Eastern | £605 | £1682 | Direct available | |
| British Airways | £606 | £756 | Direct available | |
 Turkish Airlines | £611 | £684 | With stops | |
 Air China | £671 | £1037 | Direct available | |
 Shenzhen Airlines | £671 | £696 | With stops | |
 Hainan Airlines | £713 | £713 | With stops | |
 Qatar Airways | £873 | £874 | With stops |
Everything you should know
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We hope you love your trip to Shanghai!
Insights & trends for London to Shanghai flights
Data-powered insights to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.
How much is a return flight from London to Shanghai?
Return flights from London to Shanghai typically cost between £538 and £621 in August, though fares move with demand, season and how early you book. The lowest fare our search found recently was £519 — a great price and well below the usual range, so a price near this is worth grabbing. Keeping your dates flexible and comparing nearby days is the easiest way to land at the cheaper end.
What is the cheapest day to fly to Shanghai?
The cheapest day to depart to Shanghai is usually Friday, when fares start from around £430 — midweek departures tend to be quieter and cheaper. Tuesday is typically the most expensive day to fly out (around £1004), as weekend travel is popular with leisure and business travellers alike. Where your plans allow, moving your outbound to a cheaper weekday can noticeably lower the total fare.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Shanghai?
Flights to Shanghai are generally cheapest departing in midday, with fares from around £430. Departures in the afternoon tend to cost more (about £716), as those slots are more convenient and in higher demand. Picking an off-peak departure time is a simple way to trim the price without changing your dates.
What is the cheapest London airport to fly to Shanghai from?
The cheapest return flights to Shanghai depart from London Heathrow (LHR), from around £600. London has several airports serving this route and fares can vary between them — Stansted (STN) is often the priciest at around £857. It's worth checking which London airport is both cheapest and most convenient for you before booking.
Can I save money by flying with a stopover to Shanghai?
Yes — for Shanghai you can often save by taking a stopover: 1-stop fares start from around £430, compared with about £605 to fly direct. The trade-off is a longer total journey with a connection, so weigh the saving against the extra travel time. If budget matters more to you than speed, a 1-stop option is worth considering.
Average return fare to Shanghai by month
The cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai is typically September, with return economy fares from £519. Fares are usually highest in December (around £798). Figures are indicative, from sampled live fares, and change with demand.
Cheapest sampled return economy fare, London to Shanghai, per month (gaps estimated). Search live for exact prices.
When to book flights from London to Shanghai
Are your dates flexible? These are the ideal times to fly to Shanghai based on our flight data — find the cheapest days for a 7-day trip.
Cheap flights to Shanghai from across the UK
You don't have to fly from London. The cheapest UK departure for Shanghai is currently London from £600. Compare return economy fares and typical flight times below — figures are indicative from sampled fares.
Indicative cheapest return economy fares by UK origin. Pick your dates in the search form above.
Weather in Shanghai
Monday
Mainly clear
22°C
31/08/2026
Tuesday
Clear sky
22°C
01/09/2026
Wednesday
Clear sky
21°C
02/09/2026
Thursday
Overcast
21°C
03/09/2026
Friday
Partly cloudy
22°C
04/09/2026
Saturday
Overcast
23°C
05/09/2026
Sunday
Drizzle
20°C
06/09/2026
Powered by Open-Meteo.com
Reviews of airlines servicing Shanghai
See what customers who have flown with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Hainan Airlines and more to Shanghai have to say. Each airline is scored on boarding, crew, food, comfort and entertainment.
Qatar Airways
1,450 reviews
Emirates
1,040 reviews
Hainan Airlines
1,400 reviews
Air China
1,040 reviews
Turkish Airlines
2,140 reviews
Qatar Airways
9.0WonderfulA well-managed flight with professional service. The crew were polite and responsive, and I appreciated their attention to passengers.
Our travel experts
James Wilson
Expert on Turkish Airlines
James Wilson is a Turkish Airlines specialist with extensive knowledge of international routes, flight options, and travel planning. He helps customers find convenient and reliable Turkish Airlines flights to destinations worldwide.
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Expert on British Airways
Sarah Thompson specialises in British Airways travel, helping customers choose the right routes, schedules, and flight options. With a focus on smooth and stress-free journeys, she makes planning international travel simple and convenient.
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Expert on Emirates
Daniel Roberts brings a passion for Emirates travel and a strong understanding of long-haul journeys. He assists travellers with selecting suitable Emirates flights and planning comfortable connections for destinations across the globe.
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Eliza Charlotte
Expert on Qatar Airways
Eliza Charlotte specialises in Qatar Airways journeys, with a focus on helping travellers find efficient routes and well-timed connections. She makes international flight planning straightforward, ensuring customers have options that suit their travel plans.
Read moreGood to know — flights from London to Shanghai
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Popular flights to Shanghai
About flights to Shanghai
Overview
Shanghai is China's largest city and financial powerhouse, where 1920s waterfront buildings face a futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River. For UK travellers it works as a standalone city break or a springboard for the rest of China. It's a long-haul trip, so plan early and check the price charts on this page to see how fares move through the year.
Best time to fly to Shanghai
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Spring (late March to May) and autumn (September to early November) are the most comfortable months, with mild days and clearer skies. Summer is hot and humid with a wet spell in June, and winters are cold, grey and damp rather than snowy. Flights are busiest and priciest around Chinese New Year (late January or February) and Golden Week in early October — the When to book chart above shows how fares climb around these dates.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and China Eastern have operated non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong, taking roughly 11 to 12 hours eastbound and a little longer coming home. There are no direct flights from regional UK airports, so travellers from Manchester, Birmingham or Scotland usually connect through a hub such as Amsterdam (KLM), Helsinki (Finnair), Dubai (Emirates) or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). Allow around 14 to 18 hours in total for a one-stop journey.
Things to do in Shanghai
A few days only scratch the surface, but these are the highlights most first-time visitors plan around:
- The Bund: Riverside promenade of grand colonial-era buildings, best when Pudong lights up at dusk.
- Yu Garden: A restored Ming-dynasty garden of pavilions and rockeries beside a busy Old City bazaar.
- Lujiazui skyline: Ride to the top of the Shanghai Tower or World Financial Center for dizzying views.
- Former French Concession: Leafy plane-tree streets full of boutiques, cafes and 1920s villas.
- Shanghai Museum: A world-class collection of bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy on People's Square.
At Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Direct flights from the UK land at Pudong, about 30 km east of the centre. The quickest way in is the Maglev to Longyang Road — about eight minutes at up to 300 km/h — then metro Line 2, which also runs directly from the airport into town in around an hour. A taxi takes 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic. Some regional and domestic flights use the smaller Hongqiao Airport (SHA) west of the city.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Shanghai
- Book roughly two to four months ahead for the best choice on non-stop fares; last-minute long-haul rarely pays off.
- Fly midweek and in the spring or autumn shoulder seasons, avoiding Chinese New Year, Golden Week and UK school holidays.
- Compare one-stop European or Gulf carriers with the non-stop, and use flexible-date search to spot cheaper days either side of your trip.
- Check the price charts on this page and set a fare alert so you are ready when a good deal appears.
Travel essentials
Most UK passport holders can currently enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days under a trial scheme — always confirm the latest rules and your passport validity before booking. The currency is the Chinese yuan (renminbi). Mobile payment via Alipay or WeChat Pay is the norm and both now accept overseas cards, so set one up before you fly and carry some cash as backup. No vaccinations are required, tap water is not safe to drink, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Baggage & hand-luggage allowance for flights to Shanghai
Your allowance to Shanghai depends on the airline and the fare you book. The table below shows typical long-haul allowances so you know roughly what to expect — always confirm the exact limits with your airline before you fly.
| Fare type | Hand baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / Light economy | 1 small under-seat bag | Usually none — add for a fee |
| Standard economy | 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item | Typically 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium economy | 1–2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 23 kg |
| Business / First | 2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 32 kg |
Indicative only. Allowances vary by airline, route and fare — always check your airline's baggage policy.
Packing & baggage tips
- Full-service carriers (e.g. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM) usually include a checked bag on long-haul economy fares; basic/low-cost fares often don't.
- Cabin (hand) bag size is commonly around 56 × 45 × 25 cm — confirm your airline's limit before you pack.
- Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
- Weigh your bags at home — airport excess-baggage fees are far higher than pre-booked allowances.
- Extra or heavier bags are almost always cheaper added online in advance than at the airport.
FAQs — booking Shanghai flights
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