Traveling from Beijing to Shanghai: what you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Beijing to Shanghai. Explore the options for leaving from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX), two of the city's main airports.
The chief entry points to Shanghai are Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
The average time for a direct Beijing to Shanghai flight is 2 hours 15 minutes.
Beijing and Shanghai share the UTC+8 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch after you land.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 271 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Beijing to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:30. Opt for the first PEK to SHA departure with Hainan Airlines at 07:25 to make the most of your arrival in Shanghai.
Give yourself enough time to get on your Beijing to Shanghai flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Shanghai
Book two months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Beijing to Shanghai flights.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Beijing to Shanghai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Beijing to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Start your journey at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which has a range of direct flights from Beijing to Shanghai. From PEK, you can fly nonstop to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Top airlines that offer direct Beijing to Shanghai plane tickets departing from PEK include:
Central Beijing to PEK is around 16 miles. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 40 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Beijing Capital International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Beijing to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
When it comes to Beijing Capital International Airport's on-time performance, 79.67% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
The address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Looking for a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai leaving from Daxing International Airport (PKX)? Find your seat and fly nonstop from PKX to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
There are plenty of airlines that offer direct Beijing to Shanghai plane tickets. Compare your options below to find the best fit for your flight from PKX:
On public transport, you can travel from central Beijing to PKX in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 30 miles away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Get a head start on your vacation with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, kick back in one of these hotels near Daxing International Airport:
Flights from Daxing International Airport are known for their punctuality, with 89% of them touching down as expected.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 20 miles from the center of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 50 minutes.
It typically takes 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Beijing to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
To lock in the best rate, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport several weeks in advance. Prices typically increase as your departure date approaches.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is around 8 miles from the center of Shanghai. Once you've disembarked your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near SHA. Kick back after your Beijing to Shanghai flight at any of these well-located options:
Line up the perfect playlist and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and get your trip rolling right away.
Save time at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from SHA in advance so you can just get the keys and go.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Beijing to Shanghai, while April is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to Shanghai based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Beijing to Shanghai tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 73ºF to 93ºF.
January sees average temperatures of between 30ºF and 50ºF. Search for cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
After booking your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are top sights which should feature on any good Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
You've seen Shanghai, now it's time to explore other parts of China. Journey about 170 miles west to Nanjing to check off its leading sights. From Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Suzhou is another well-known destination in China and is around 50 miles west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without dropping by Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.