Travelling from Philadelphia to Shanghai: what you need to know
Philadelphia's main base, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's major entry points.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is 12 hours ahead of Philadelphia.
To ensure you make your Philadelphia to Shanghai flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time such as August? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Shanghai
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap Philadelphia to Shanghai flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Philadelphia to Shanghai throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from Philadelphia to Shanghai.
Find a cheap Philadelphia to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even explore another city. When searching for Philadelphia to Shanghai flights leaving from Philadelphia International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Philadelphia, PHL can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Philadelphia International Airport:
78.93% of flights departing from Philadelphia International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 40 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to PVG if you have a late flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and discover parts of Shanghai that aren't on a typical itinerary. You can book your wheels with Hertz.
Give yourself a better shot at securing a great deal by booking as early as possible. Reserving your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks ahead is a good move.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. Following your flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai:
Crank up the tunes and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and set off on your adventure right away.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's left, by securing your ride from SHA before your arrival. You'll also avoid paying more than you need to, especially when demand is high.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Philadelphia to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Figure out the best time to go to Shanghai based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Philadelphia 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, look for a cheap flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Philadelphia to Shanghai, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-do's during your Shanghai adventure.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be explored after you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another favourite destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without visiting Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.
