Travelling from Milan to Shanghai: what you need to know
When looking for a flight from Milan to Shanghai, there's a nice selection of airports you can take off from. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN) are some of Milan's main terminals.
When it comes to landing in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct Milan to Shanghai flight is 11 hours 25 minutes.
Shanghai is seven hours ahead of Milan and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
You can choose from 14 services each week between Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). This is the most popular route when booking flights from Milan to Shanghai.
Leave enough time to catch your Milan to Shanghai flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Milan to Shanghai
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap Milan to Shanghai flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Milan to Shanghai across the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Milan to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Milan to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Milan
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Milan to Shanghai, you can depart from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Travel from MXP to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) in one seamless trip.
Reserve your Milan to Shanghai plane tickets with Air China. This airline is a popular choice for direct flights from MXP.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Milan to Shanghai flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Milan Malpensa Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Located around 40 kms (25 miles) from the centre of Milan, MXP can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Milan to Shanghai? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Milan Malpensa Airport:
Of all flights departing from Milan Malpensa Airport, 76% touch down on time at their destination.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Milan to Shanghai flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, here's where you can stop between Milan Bergamo Airport and Shanghai:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Madrid Airport (MAD)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
You can reach BGY from the centre of Milan in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour to travel the 48 kms (30 miles) or so.
It's your holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Milan Bergamo Airport the day before your flight from Milan to Shanghai:
75% of flights leaving Milan Bergamo Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Choosing a ticket from Milan to Shanghai with a stop or two can give you a bigger choice of departure times on top of cheaper fares. When departing from Milan Linate Airport (LIN), here are a few places you can detour to on the way to Shanghai:
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
The journey to LIN from central Milan is around 30 minutes by public transport. If you're planning to travel by car, it'll take you roughly 20 minutes to cover the 8 kms (5 miles) or so.
Rest a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Milan to Shanghai flight without having to rush. These hotels near Milan Linate Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're setting off early:
With 83% of its departing flights arriving as planned, LIN is a reliable starting point for your journey.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kms (20 miles) away.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Milan to Shanghai, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
Go beyond Shanghai and check out places outside the usual tourist stops with your own wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car from Hertz.
Increase the odds of securing a great price by booking as early as possible. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance is a good move.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
After your flight from Milan to Shanghai has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kms (8 miles) from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 40 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Milan to Shanghai:
Crank up the music and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and drive off without missing a beat.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's available, by booking your ride from SHA before your arrival. You can also avoid paying extra, especially when demand is high.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Milan to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to travel to Shanghai. If you like a quieter atmosphere, go in March.
When booking your Milan 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.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Milan to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Milan to Shanghai, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are major attractions 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. Travel around 274 kms (170 miles) west to Nanjing to tick off its top sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Suzhou is another favourite destination in China and is around 80 kms (50 miles) west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without a visit to Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.
