Book cheap flights to Shanghai

Modernity and tradition collide along the eastern coast where Shanghai provides a major entry point for international visitors. This global financial centre defines the contemporary landscape of the region while maintaining its deep-rooted maritime heritage.

The skyline is anchored by the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the soaring Shanghai Tower, which provide a striking contrast to the colonial-era stone facades lining The Bund. Those seeking a glimpse into the past can explore the intricate classical gardens of Yu Garden or the quiet, tree-lined streets of the French Concession, where historical villas reflect a distinct architectural fusion.

Visitors often find themselves drawn to the city for its relentless energy and sophisticated culinary scene. Whether exploring the vast museums in People’s Square or navigating the neon-lit corridors of Nanjing Road, the destination offers a diverse blend of ancient customs and futuristic ambition.

Shanghai at its most inviting

From March to May and September to November, Shanghai enjoys its peak periods, offering mild temperatures that typically hover between 15°C and 25°C. During these months, the city sheds the grey tones of winter, replacing them with lush greenery in Fuxing Park and colourful floral displays along the historic Bund. Travellers landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport during these windows are greeted by clear skies and a comfortable breeze, making the initial transit into the urban core pleasant and visually striking.

The social atmosphere during the high season is defined by an outdoor-centric lifestyle and a series of high-profile events. The city hosts the Shanghai International Film Festival in early summer and the spring and autumn editions of Shanghai Fashion Week, drawing a sophisticated global crowd to the boutiques of the French Concession. Residents and visitors alike take to the riverside promenades and rooftop terraces to enjoy the skyline before the humidity of mid-summer takes hold. This period captures the city at its most polished, where the frantic pace of the metropolis feels balanced by the accessibility of its public spaces.

The quiet intensity of Shanghai’s low season

Winter brings a sharp, humid chill to Shanghai, with temperatures often dropping towards 0°C, though snow remains a rare and celebrated occurrence. The city takes on a more industrial, moody aesthetic under overcast skies, and the usual crowds at landmarks like Yu Garden thin out significantly. For those arriving via Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in the colder months, the experience is one of interior warmth, as the city’s life retreats into sprawling underground shopping complexes and heated tea houses.

Despite the cold, the low season is punctuated by the lively celebrations of Lunar New Year, which transform the streets with traditional lanterns and festive markets. While the pace of business may slow during this public holiday, the cultural density increases as families gather and local traditions take centre stage. This quieter period offers a more reflective view of the city, allowing for an intimate exploration of museums and galleries without the frantic energy that defines the warmer months.

Shanghai is served by a dual-airport system that efficiently manages a massive volume of international and domestic traffic. Those arriving on a flight to Shanghai will be directed to either the eastern coastal gateway or the established western hub, both of which offer sophisticated transport links to the city.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport, known by its code PVG, is situated approximately 30 km east of the city centre along the coastline of the Pudong New Area. As the primary gateway for international flights to Shanghai, it serves as a major hub for Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines, featuring two massive passenger terminals and a satellite concourse. The facility handles the vast majority of long-haul routes connecting the city to Europe, North America, and Oceania, making it the first point of entry for most overseas visitors.

Upon clearing arrivals, the most notable transit option is the Maglev train, which reaches speeds of up to 431 km/h to deliver passengers to Longyang Road Station in about 8 minutes. For a direct connection to the city’s heart without transferring, Metro Line 2 runs through the airport, reaching People’s Square and Jing’an Temple in approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Travellers can also utilise the Airport Bus lines that serve various districts including Hongqiao, Xujiahui, and the Shanghai Railway Station, or opt for a taxi from the official ranks for a journey of roughly 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, or SHA, is located about 13 km west of the city centre in the Changning District. While it does host select "city-hop" international routes to regional destinations like Tokyo or Seoul, its primary role is serving as the premier hub for domestic travel within the country. The airport is split into two terminals and is part of the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub, which sits directly adjacent to one of the busiest high-speed railway stations in the world.

Reaching central districts from this side of the city is remarkably quick, with Metro Line 2 and Metro Line 10 both serving the airport and providing a 25 to 35-minute link to The Bund and East Nanjing Road. Because of its proximity to the urban core, a taxi or ride-hailing service to Jing’an or Xuhui typically takes only 20 to 30 minutes outside of peak hours. Additionally, several local bus routes and airport shuttles provide frequent connections to the Shanghai West Railway Station and surrounding suburban areas.

Shanghai offers a wealth of attractions and activities for every visitor. Explore these top sights and experiences:

• The Bund: This renowned waterfront promenade serves as a living museum of colonial-era architecture, where grand neoclassical facades stand in silent conversation with the futuristic towers across the water. Walking here at dusk allows travellers to witness the city’s transformation as the historic stone buildings illuminate, reflecting centuries of global trade and cultural exchange.
• Yu Garden: Stepping into this 16th-century sanctuary offers a profound contrast to the surrounding urban rush, featuring intricate rockeries, traditional pavilions, and koi-filled ponds. The classical Ming Dynasty design provides a sensory retreat where the scent of ancient pine and the sight of zigzag bridges evoke the quiet elegance of old Shanghai.
• Pudong Skyline: Dominated by the spiralling Shanghai Tower and the distinct spheres of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, this district represents the city’s meteoric rise as a global financial hub. The view from the observation decks provides a dizzying perspective of the city’s vastness, stretching towards the horizon in a sea of glass and steel.
• Former French Concession: Characterised by leafy, plane tree-lined avenues and European-style villas, this neighbourhood invites slow exploration through its boutique-filled lanes and quiet residential pockets. It remains the heart of the city’s bohemian spirit, where the aroma of freshly roasted coffee mingles with the lingering charm of 1920s architecture.
• Jade Buddha Temple: This active place of worship houses two magnificent statues carved from single slabs of white jade, brought to the city from Burma in the late 19th century. The temple serves as a spiritual anchor, where the rhythmic chanting of monks and the shimmer of saffron robes offer a glimpse into the enduring religious traditions of the region.
• Tianzifang: Tucked away in the Huangpu District, this labyrinth of narrow alleys has evolved from a traditional residential area into a lively arts and crafts enclave. It is a place where visitors can lose themselves in a maze of local design studios and hidden tea houses, capturing the creative energy of modern residents.

Good value on flights to Shanghai tends to reward the organised, so book your airfare well ahead of your trip and keep your departure dates as open as your plans allow. Travellers who fly frequently might also find added value through an Opodo Prime membership, which provides access to exclusive savings and enhanced support throughout the journey. Every great adventure to the Bund or the soaring heights of Pudong begins with a seamless booking experience, leaving you free to savour the anticipation of what comes next.