Flying from Dubai to Shanghai: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Dubai Airport (DXB) and Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are Dubai's main airports.
When choosing where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the major entry points.
Jump on a direct Dubai to Shanghai flight and you'll be flying for an average of 8 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is four hours ahead of Dubai.
With 21 flights a week between the two airports, Dubai Airport (DXB) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Dubai to Shanghai with Emirates at 02:50. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from DXB to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:05.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Dubai to Shanghai flight.
Flying during a popular month like December? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Shanghai
Book 11 months before you travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Dubai to Shanghai flights.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on plane tickets from Dubai to Shanghai. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai.
Find an affordable Dubai to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Dubai to Shanghai, you can leave from Dubai Airport (DXB). Get from DXB to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) in one continuous trip.
Emirates is a popular carrier that offers direct Dubai to Shanghai plane tickets leaving from DXB.
We make it simple to find a Dubai to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Dubai Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Located around 5 kilometres from central Dubai, DXB can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
After a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Dubai Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Dubai to Shanghai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
71% of flights that leave from Dubai Airport make it to their destination on time.
Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
You can get to DWC from the centre of Dubai in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport the day before your flight from Dubai to Shanghai:
64% of flights taking off from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometres. It'll take you about 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that most tourists miss.
To get the best possible deal, book your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport a few weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to your travel date.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
The centre of Shanghai is around 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA). As soon as your flight from Dubai to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 30 minutes.
The journey will take approximately 40 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near SHA. Unwind after your Dubai to Shanghai flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and expand your travel horizons with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from arrivals, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's left, by securing your ride from SHA ahead of time. You'll also avoid paying more than you have to, especially when the airport is busy.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Dubai to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to visit Shanghai based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Dubai to Shanghai tickets, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Dubai to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Shanghai right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Dubai to Shanghai:
Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Tower are just a couple of the major attractions to add to your Shanghai must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to The Bund Sightseeing Avenue.
Explore more of China
You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to discover 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. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.