Flying from Beijing to Shanghai: what you need to know
Your next great adventure starts at one of Beijing's main airports, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX). Check out your options for booking a flight from Beijing to Shanghai taking off from either of these.
When it comes to landing in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is a major gateway. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is another.
Take a direct Beijing to Shanghai flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 2 hours 15 minutes.
Beijing and Shanghai are both in the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't need to account for any time differences.
The busiest route for flights from Beijing to Shanghai is from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). You can select from 271 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PEK to SHA is the 07:00 China Eastern Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last scheduled departure is at 21:30 with China Eastern Airlines.
To ensure you board your Beijing to Shanghai flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Travelling during a popular month like April? School holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Shanghai
Book two months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Beijing to Shanghai flights.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Beijing to Shanghai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Beijing to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Jet off from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and fly right through to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). If you're searching for a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai out of PEK, those are your final stops.
Leading airlines that offer direct Beijing to Shanghai plane tickets departing from PEK include:
PEK is around 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 40 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Booked an early flight from Beijing to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Beijing Capital International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Beijing Capital International Airport, 79.67% of flights complete their journey on time.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Want to take off from Daxing International Airport (PKX)? You can book a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai out of this major hub. Land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) without changing planes.
There are plenty of airlines offering direct Beijing to Shanghai plane tickets. Compare your options below to find the best fit for your departure from PKX:
Depending on traffic conditions, you can drive to PKX from Beijing's centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kilometres away.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy another night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Daxing International Airport the day before your flight from Beijing to Shanghai:
Most flights that depart Daxing International Airport reach their destination within the expected time frame. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 88.83%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Beijing to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Set your own pace with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks in advance. Prices typically increase closer to your departure date.
The street address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've disembarked your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, it takes approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
After your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Why be tied to someone else's timetable? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and take charge of your own adventure. Book your wheels here with Hertz.
Get the vehicle you actually want, not just what's available, by booking your ride from SHA ahead of time. You can also avoid paying more than you have to, especially when the airport is busy.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Beijing to Shanghai, while April is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to Shanghai based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Beijing to Shanghai tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Search for cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
After booking your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
You've seen Shanghai, now it's time to explore other parts of China. Journey about 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to check off its leading sights. From Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Suzhou is another well-known destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without dropping by Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.
