Flying from Shanghai to London: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Shanghai. Explore your options departing from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) when organising your flight from Shanghai to London.
London has a variety of airports you can jet into. Make your landing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, touch down at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
The average time for a direct Shanghai to London flight is 13 hours 5 minutes.
London's timezone is UTC+0, making London eight hours behind Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 22 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Shanghai to London is with China Eastern Airlines at 10:45. Choose the first PVG to LGW departure with China Eastern Airlines at 00:55 to make the most of your arrival in London.
Leave enough time to get on your Shanghai to London flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying over a peak time such as April? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to London
To snag cheap Shanghai to London flights, reserve your trip one month ahead of your departure date.
Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Shanghai to London. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Shanghai to London.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Shanghai to London flights.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
You can book a direct flight from Shanghai to London taking off from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). Begin your trip at PVG and then make your arrival at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
Leading airlines that offer direct Shanghai to London plane tickets departing from PVG include:
We make it easy to find a Shanghai to London flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Shanghai Pudong Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai, PVG can be reached in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near Shanghai Pudong Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Shanghai to London or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
83% of flights leaving Shanghai Pudong Airport touch down at their destination as planned. Given its solid on-time performance, disruptions are unlikely when jetting out of PVG.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Shanghai to London flight, here's where you can stop when leaving from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
With public transport, you can travel from central Shanghai to SHA in around 40 minutes. The terminal is roughly 13 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 30 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Shanghai Hongqiao Airport the day before your flight from Shanghai to London:
Flights from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport have a proven record for punctuality, with 85% of them touching down as expected.
The street address for SHA is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is roughly 26 kilometres. It'll take you about 45 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 25 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're arriving on 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 resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near LHR:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and explore beyond London's main sights.
Reserving your ride from London Heathrow Airport around one week in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is located around 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Once your flight from Shanghai to London has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 45 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to LGW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Shanghai to London:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting in a long taxi line. Grab a London Gatwick Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare offers from Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from LGW three weeks in advance often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Travel to the centre after your flight from Shanghai to London has landed. Central London is around 48 kilometres from London Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour 5 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will get you there in about 45 minutes.
Enjoy an unhurried start to your break by checking in to a hotel near STN after your Shanghai to London flight. Take a load off after a long travel day or simply take a moment to find your footing in a new city at:
Start your journey without worrying about how to get to your destination with a London Stansted Airport rental car. You can book a set of wheels from trusted names here like Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
Plan ahead and put that extra money in your pocket. Book your vehicle from STN four weeks before your flight from Shanghai to London for the lowest prices.
Best time to go to London
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Shanghai to London. July is the busiest month for a trip to London. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in March.
Before locking in your Shanghai to London tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Shanghai to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
Start your London trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Shanghai to London, check out our selection of hotels including:
The British Museum and Westminster Abbey are just two of the popular attractions to add to your London travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Big Ben.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
Manchester is just one of the many places in the United Kingdom waiting to be explored once you've seen London. Around 257 kilometres to the northwest, its top attractions include Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Science and Industry Museum.
Birmingham is another sought-after destination in the United Kingdom and is around 161 kilometres northwest of London. No journey is complete without dropping by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome and Bournville Experience.