Flying from Shanghai to London: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll catch your flight from Shanghai to London. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the main airports in Shanghai.
London has numerous airports you can jet into. Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, arrive at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
Around 13 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Shanghai to London flight.
London's timezone is UTC+0, which makes London eight hours behind Shanghai.
The most popular route for flights from Shanghai to London is from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Choose from 18 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PVG to LGW is the 00:55 China Eastern Airlines service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the final scheduled service is at 10:45 with China Eastern Airlines.
To ensure you catch your Shanghai to London flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
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.
Organise 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)
Begin your travels at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which has a range of direct flights from Shanghai to London. From PVG, you can fly nonstop to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
You'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct Shanghai to London plane tickets out of PVG. Let one of these carriers take you there:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Shanghai to London flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
To reach PVG from central Shanghai, it'll take around 50 minutes if you're planning to drive. It's roughly 32 kms (20 miles) from the airport to the city centre.
Have an early flight from Shanghai to London? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
When it comes to Shanghai Pudong International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78.11% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Split up your Shanghai to London flight with a stop so you can recharge or cross another place off your list. Top stopovers between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and London are:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
SHA is about 13 kms (8 miles) from central Shanghai. It takes 20 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 40 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Shanghai to London, stay in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
The majority of flights that leave Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport land at their destination right on cue. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 86%.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is approximately 23 kms (14 miles). It'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 1 hour.
If you have a late flight from Shanghai to London, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near LHR:
Pick up a London Heathrow Airport rental car and discover London and beyond with your own wheels. Surprice, U-Save and Green Motion are well-known companies you can book with here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride from London Heathrow Airport about one week in advance of your Shanghai to London flight.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is around 40 kms (25 miles) from the centre of London. Once you've hopped off your flight from Shanghai to London, it'll take you approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 30 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Shanghai to London:
Forget about public transport timetables or cab lines. Grab a London Gatwick Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare availability and rates from Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia.
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from LGW three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Hop off your flight from Shanghai to London and go directly to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. The centre of London is around 48 kms (30 miles) from Stansted Airport (STN) and usually takes 1 hour to drive there.
The journey will take around 1 hour 25 minutes on public transport.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, choose a hotel near STN. Get comfortable at one of these options after your Shanghai to London flight:
Be in control of the next leg of your journey by picking up a Stansted Airport rental car. Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar are reliable rental providers.
Plan ahead and reap the rewards. Book your vehicle from STN four weeks before your flight from Shanghai to London to access the best 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 11ºC (52ºF) to 26ºC (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 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF) on average.
More about London
Start your London trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Shanghai to London, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Big Ben and The British Museum are just a couple of the top attractions to put on your London itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at 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.