Traveling from Shanghai to London: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Shanghai. Check out your options departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when organizing your flight from Shanghai to London.
Fly into London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). You can also reach London through Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
Around 13 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be traveling on a direct Shanghai to London flight.
The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is eight hours behind Shanghai.
With 18 weekly flights between the two airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Shanghai to London with British Airways at 10:55. If you'd like to make the most of your day before flying, the last flight from PVG to LGW is with China Eastern Airlines at 13:00.
To ensure you make it on your Shanghai to London flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like April, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to London
Get cheap Shanghai to London flights by booking three months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for landing a bargain.
Organize your trip for June. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Shanghai to London. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Shanghai to London by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Shanghai to London flights.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Set off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and fly straight through to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). If you're looking for a direct flight from Shanghai to London out of PVG, those are your final stops.
Pick from a variety of airlines that offer direct Shanghai to London plane tickets out of PVG. Let one of these carriers take you there:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing Shanghai to London flights leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Central Shanghai to PVG is around 20 miles. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take you about 50 minutes to reach there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
Booked an early flight from Shanghai to London? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, 78.11% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
The address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Get the most out of your vacation with a stopover on your Shanghai to London flight. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and London:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Changsha Huanghua Airport (CSX)
Depending on traffic conditions, you can drive to SHA from the center of Shanghai in around 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 8 miles away.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Shanghai to London? Check in to a hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport before your trip officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
The majority of flights that depart Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport land at their destination within the expected time frame. It boasts a strong on-time performance rate of 85.58%.
The address for SHA is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes about 55 minutes by car. The center is roughly 16 miles away.
When traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour.
Consider staying in a hotel near LHR if you're coming in on a late flight from Shanghai to London. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion to explore London and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport around one week ahead can help you get the best possible rate.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
After your flight from Shanghai to London has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city center in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 25 miles from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
You can expect the journey to take approximately 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near LGW. Tuck yourself in after your Shanghai to London flight at any of these well-located options:
Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia make picking up a London Gatwick Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from LGW three weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Make your way to the city center after your flight from Shanghai to London has arrived. Central London is around 30 miles from Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour to reach by cab or ride-share.
The journey takes about 1 hour 25 minutes when traveling on public transport.
Enjoy a low-stress, comfortable start to your break by choosing a hotel near STN after your Shanghai to London flight. Rest up after a long day of travel or simply take a moment to settle into a new destination at:
Stay in control of the next part of your journey by picking up a Stansted Airport rental car. Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar are dependable companies for booking.
Get a payoff by planning ahead. Book your ride from STN four weeks before your flight from Shanghai to London for the most affordable rates.
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Shanghai to London. To escape the crowds, go to London in February.
Book a Shanghai to London ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in London to range from 52ºF to 79ºF.
Look for cheap flights from Shanghai to London in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 32ºF and 48ºF on average.
More about London
Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to London, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring London:
Big Ben and The British Museum are a couple of top attractions to put on your London to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Buckingham Palace.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Birmingham is just one of the many places in United Kingdom waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of London. Around 100 miles to the north-west, check out popular attractions including Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
If you want to check out another major stop in United Kingdom, head for Bristol, roughly 110 miles west of London. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park are highlights.