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Cheap Flights from London Gatwick to Shanghai

Compare London Gatwick to Shanghai flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Shanghai

Book the best Shanghai fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from London Gatwick to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from London Gatwick to Shanghai? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Shanghai.R 6,360 per passenger.Departing Sat, 1 Nov.One-way flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from London Gatwick on Sat, 1 Nov, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 6,360, select.
Shanghai.R 6,597 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Sep.One-way flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from London Gatwick on Tue, 2 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 6,597, select.
Shanghai.R 6,615 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Dec.One-way flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from London Gatwick on Tue, 2 Dec, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 6,615, select.
Shanghai.R 6,651 per passenger.Departing Tue, 28 Oct.One-way flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from London Gatwick on Tue, 28 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 6,651, select.
Shanghai.R 6,877 per passenger.Departing Fri, 22 Aug.One-way flight with China Southern.Outbound indirect flight with China Southern, departs from London Gatwick on Fri, 22 Aug, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 6,877, select.
Shanghai.R 7,620 per passenger.Departing Sun, 6 Jul.One-way flight with Wizz Air UK.Outbound indirect flight with Wizz Air UK, departs from London Gatwick on Sun, 6 Jul, arriving in Shanghai Hongqiao.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 7,620, select.
Shanghai.R 7,778 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Sep.One-way flight with Air China.Outbound direct flight with Air China departs from London Gatwick on Tue, 2 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 7,778, select.
Shanghai.R 7,929 per passenger.Departing Sat, 23 Aug.One-way flight with Air China.Outbound direct flight with Air China departs from London Gatwick on Sat, 23 Aug, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 7,929, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from London Gatwick to Shanghai

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like London Gatwick to Shanghai flights are currently cheapest in November.
Jun
from R 8,394
Jul
from R 7,620
Aug
from R 6,877
Sep
from R 6,597
Oct
from R 6,651
Nov
from R 6,360
Dec
from R 6,615
Jan
from R 8,443
Feb
from R 8,085
Mar
from R 8,540
Apr
from R 8,255
May
from R 8,972

Direct flights from London Gatwick to Shanghai

Alternative London Gatwick to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from London Gatwick to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

London to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 6,360
Cheapest month to flyNovember
Average flight time11 hrs, 12 mins
Most popular airlineChina Eastern
Average flights per week18

Finding cheap flights from London Gatwick to Shanghai: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.
The best price we found for a return flight from London Gatwick to Shanghai is R 10,125. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
11 hours and 12 minutes is the average flight time from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
China Eastern and Air China fly direct from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
As of June 2025, there are 18 flights per week flying from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
The cheapest month to fly from London Gatwick to Shanghai is usually June 2025.
If you're flying from London Gatwick Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Hongqiao – which is 13.8 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from R 10,125.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai on Thursday, 2 October 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 12 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shanghai but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In June, the average temperature is usually around 23°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.
Currently, China Southern and Air China offer the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Travelling from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • Expect to be travelling for 12 hours 35 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai.

  • Shanghai is eight hours ahead of London, where London Gatwick Airport is located. Shanghai runs on the UTC+8 timezone.

  • With 18 weekly flights between the two airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route. China Eastern Airlines operates the earliest flight at 10:30. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the last departure from LGW to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 19:00.

  • For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your LGW to Shanghai flight.

  • If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at check-in and security will be longer.

  • You can book a direct London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai ticket. Begin your journey at LGW and end it at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

  • China Eastern Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai.

  • We make it simple to book flight tickets from LGW to Shanghai with a stopover. To see the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

    • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

  • LGW is around 40 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 1 hour 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 30 minutes.

  • Booked an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to LGW:

  • 69.26% of flights that leave from London Gatwick Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.

How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai

  • R 6,360 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai flight. A return flight ticket right now is R 10,125. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.

  • Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from LGW to Shanghai if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.

  • Landing cheap tickets from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest prices throughout the month and pick up an incredible deal.

  • Finding a cheap flight from LGW to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.

  • Save money on your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • There are some comfortable places to drop your things at near SHA. Settle in and get cosy after your LGW to Shanghai flight at any of these well-located options:

  • Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, so you can hit the road without delay.

  • Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's left over, by reserving 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

  • Before booking your flights from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Shanghai offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.

  • The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.

  • If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from LGW to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to explore other parts of China. Journey about 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake, there's plenty to keep you busy.

  • Around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai, Puyang is another essential stop in China. Experience major highlights starting with Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.

Plan the rest of your trip from London to Shanghai

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.