Flying from Beijing to Shanghai: what you need to know
Your next exciting journey begins at one of Beijing's main airports, Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). Explore your options for booking a flight from Beijing to Shanghai taking off from either of these bases.
The major entry paths to Shanghai are Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Take a direct Beijing to Shanghai flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 2 hours 15 minutes.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which is the same as Beijing.
With 242 flights a week between the two airports, Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is the busiest route. Hop on the first flight from Beijing to Shanghai with Hainan Airlines at 07:25. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last flight from PEK to SHA is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:30.
Leave plenty of time to get on your Beijing to Shanghai flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Shanghai
To pick up cheap Beijing to Shanghai flights, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer lower prices when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Beijing to Shanghai throughout the month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Lock in a cheap Beijing to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
You can book a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai leaving from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Start your trip at PEK and then land at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Choose from a variety of airlines offering direct Beijing to Shanghai plane tickets with departures from PEK, including:
PEK is about 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 50 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Beijing to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Beijing Capital Airport:
Beijing Capital Airport has an excellent on-time record, so you're less likely to experience disruptions. Departures from PEK arrive at their destination as scheduled 81% of the time.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
Want to take off from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)? You can catch a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai out of this major hub. Touch down at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) without changing planes.
When setting off from PKX, you can choose from numerous airlines that fly nonstop to your destination. Book a direct Beijing to Shanghai plane ticket with one of these:
PKX is about 40 kilometres from central Beijing. It'll take 50 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider staying at one of these accommodation options near Beijing Daxing Airport the day before your flight from Beijing to Shanghai:
Flights from Beijing Daxing Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 87% of them arriving within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is approximately 32 kilometres. It takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Beijing to Shanghai, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
Set your own pace with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that most tourists miss.
Reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a few weeks in advance to get the lowest price. If you're going away during peak season, it's a smart idea to book your Beijing to Shanghai flight even earlier.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 30 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take about 40 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Beijing to Shanghai:
Why base your plans around someone else's schedule? Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and take charge of your own adventure. Reserve your wheels here with Hertz.
Get the vehicle you prefer, not just whatever's left, by booking your ride from SHA before your arrival. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during peak travel times.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Beijing to Shanghai, while April is the busiest. Find the best time to visit Shanghai based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Beijing to Shanghai tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Search for cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, explore our range of accommodation options including:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to explore more of China. Travel around 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to check off its leading attractions. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Suzhou is another sought-after destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without seeing Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.