Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai: what you need to know
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8. The city is two hours behind Cairns, where Cairns Airport is located.
To avoid missing your CNS to Shanghai flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's wise to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your plane ticket from CNS to Shanghai. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your journey by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Travelling from central Cairns to CNS takes about 1 hour 25 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 5 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near CNS. Whether you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are all about convenience:
Of the flights that depart from Cairns Airport, 71.55% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai
$586 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Shanghai flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is $1,210. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To find cheap flights from CNS to Shanghai, book as early as you can. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
Scoring cheap tickets from Cairns Airport to Shanghai is easier if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' function to get the best prices across every month and land a fantastic deal.
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 notify you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from CNS to Shanghai.
Find an affordable flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 56 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're getting a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Set your own pace with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from CNS to Shanghai. Prices generally rise as your departure date approaches.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 14 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
There are some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SHA. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your CNS to Shanghai flight at one of these well-located options:
Crank up the music and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Hertz and set off on your adventure right away.
Lock in the vehicle you want, not just what's left over, by reserving your ride from SHA ahead of time. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially when demand is high.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai. The city comes alive during peak season, but prices are typically higher and attractions can be busy. Go to Shanghai in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your Cairns Airport to Shanghai plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CNS to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Yu Garden, The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Shanghai Tower are must-do's during your Shanghai adventure.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored after you've experienced Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres away to the west, its best attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake.
Puyang is another favourite destination in China and is around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without seeing Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.
