Travelling from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know
The timezone in Cairns is UTC+10, which is two hours ahead of Shanghai. Cairns Airport is located in Cairns.
To ensure you get on your flight from Shanghai to CNS, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Popular months like February or other peak seasons mean longer lines and possible delays. Get a head start by getting to the airport even earlier. Aim for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for cheap flights from Shanghai to CNS leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)
Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
The journey from central Shanghai to PVG takes about 50 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 1 hour 5 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels are just what you're after:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, 78% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Squeeze in an extra adventure with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport. Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) is one of the main options between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and CNS.
On public transport, you can travel from central Shanghai to SHA in around 40 minutes. The terminal is roughly 14 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Shanghai to CNS flight? Kick back in a hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays have a room with your name on it:
Flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport have a track record for punctuality, with 86% of them landing as expected.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
About Cairns Airport (CNS)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near CNS:
Hit the road running by picking up a Cairns Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast to explore Cairns and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride around two weeks ahead of your Shanghai to Cairns Airport flight.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
From Cairns Airport, central Cairns is around 6 kilometres away. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the city centre by car.
Travelling by public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS)
Currently, $594 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Cairns Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,212. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Shanghai to CNS. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
Cheap Shanghai to Cairns Airport tickets are easier to find if your travel dates are flexible. Use the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares throughout the month and then pick the cheapest day.
Stay on top of deals for plane tickets from Shanghai to CNS by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when prices go down.
Filters make it easier to track down a bargain for your flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport. Pick the airlines, flight times and stops that look good to you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS)
July is the busiest month for flights from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS). Visit Cairns in September if you prefer a quieter experience.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 31ºC. Book your Shanghai to CNS plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
August has temperatures of between 16ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Shanghai to Cairns Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Cairns
Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these options your base for exploring Cairns:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Great Barrier Reef, Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard are leading attractions which should feature on any good Cairns itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Cairns will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Australia just waiting to be discovered. About 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a trip to Townsville will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and Botanic Gardens.
North Ward is another favourite destination in Australia and is around 290 kilometres southeast of Cairns. No trip is complete without a visit to The Strand Beach, The Strand Jetty and Ocean Siren Statue.
