Flying from Shanghai to London: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Shanghai. Check out your options departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when planning your flight from Shanghai to London.
Come in for landing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or one of London's other airports. They include Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
13 hours 21 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Shanghai to London. Based in the UTC+0 timezone, London is 8 hours behind Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 32 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Shanghai to London is with China Eastern Airlines at 10:35. Choose the first PVG to LGW departure with China Eastern Airlines at 00:55 if you're more of an early bird.
Leave plenty of time to catch your flight from Shanghai to London. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
To enter United Kingdom for tourism purposes, you will need an embassy visa if you hold a passport from China. However, visa rules can change and you may need other documents depending on the length and purpose of your visit. Always check the latest guidelines before you book your cheap flight from Shanghai to London.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Begin your trip at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which has a selection of direct flights from Shanghai to London. From PVG, you can fly without any stops to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
Choose from a variety of airlines offering direct flights from Shanghai to London departing from PVG. Get on board with any of these:
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing flights from Shanghai to London departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
To reach PVG from central Shanghai, it takes around 49 minutes by car. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 56 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Want a convenient hotel near Shanghai Pudong International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Shanghai to London, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to London. Visit family or friends or cross another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these options between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and London:
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
SHA is roughly 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. It'll take you 21 minutes or so to reach the terminal when driving from the city centre.
It's your holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport the day before your flight from Shanghai to London:
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is approximately 31 kilometres. It takes around 57 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 1 minute to get there by public transport.
Book a hotel near LHR if you're taking a late flight from Shanghai to London. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is about 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). As soon as your flight from Shanghai to London has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 1 hour and 19 minutes.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to LGW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Shanghai to London:
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to London
At the moment, RM908 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to London. The cheapest price for a return flight is RM2,253. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 10 months before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Shanghai to London.
The cheapest month for tickets from Shanghai to London is June. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the lowest fare.
Getting a cheap ticket from Shanghai to London is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has fallen.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Shanghai to London. Simply enter your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Shanghai to London. To avoid the crowds, go to London in February.
The warmest month in London is July, with the temperature ranging between 11ºC and 26ºC. Lock in your flights from Shanghai to London in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Shanghai to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in London right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Shanghai to London:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are leading attractions which should be on every London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Discover our lineup of car rentals once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Shanghai to London. Whether you're looking for a compact ride, spacious sedan or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.