Travelling from Paris to Shanghai: what you need to know
You can choose from multiple airports when planning your flight from Paris to Shanghai. Explore your options for departing Paris from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA).
When working out where to arrive in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the major entry points.
The average duration of a direct Paris to Shanghai flight is 11 hours 55 minutes.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Shanghai seven hours ahead of Paris.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 19 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Paris to Shanghai is with Air France at 23:30. Opt for the first CDG to PVG departure with China Eastern Airlines at 12:25 to make the most of your first day in Shanghai.
Leave enough time to catch your Paris to Shanghai flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Paris to Shanghai
To score cheap Paris to Shanghai flights, reserve your trip three months ahead of your planned departure.
Organise your trip for August. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Paris to Shanghai. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Paris to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Paris to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Paris
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Paris to Shanghai, you can depart from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Get from CDG to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) in one seamless trip.
Reserve your Paris to Shanghai plane tickets with China Eastern Airlines. This airline is a popular option for direct flights from CDG.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Paris to Shanghai flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
CDG is about 23 kilometres from central Paris. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Paris to Shanghai, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport's on-time performance, 64% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
CDG is located at 95711, Roissy Charles de Gaulle.
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Paris to Shanghai flight, browse these options when setting off from Paris Orly Airport:
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
ORY is about 14 kilometres from central Paris. It'll take 25 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 40 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy an additional night away? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Paris Orly Airport the day before your flight from Paris to Shanghai:
79% of flights leaving Paris Orly Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find ORY at 94396 Orly Aérogare.
Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA)
Book a ticket from Paris to Shanghai out of Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA) with a stop or two. Popular stopovers between BVA and Shanghai are:
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
From central Paris, BVA is around 72 kilometres away. It takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to get there by car and 1 hour 15 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Sleep a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Paris to Shanghai flight with plenty of time to spare. These accommodation options near Paris Beauvais Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're setting off early:
Flights departing from BVA make it to their destination on schedule 71% of the time.
You'll find Paris Beauvais Airport at Tille 60000, Beauvais.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 1 hour 5 minutes.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel close to PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Paris to Shanghai. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Go beyond Shanghai and discover places that don't always get the spotlight with your own set of wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car from Hertz.
Increase your chances of snagging a great deal by booking as soon as possible. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance is a good move.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
The centre of Shanghai is around 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA). Once your flight from Paris to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 30 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 40 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Paris to Shanghai:
Why be tied to someone else's timetable? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and call the shots on your own adventure. Reserve your wheels here with Hertz.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA in advance so you can just grab the keys and be on your way.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Paris to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Work out the best time to visit Shanghai based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Paris to Shanghai tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Paris to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Paris to Shanghai, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Tower are just two of the popular attractions to put on your Shanghai to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out The Bund Sightseeing Avenue.
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 popular sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another essential stop in China. Experience major highlights starting with Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.