Travelling from Dubai to Shanghai: what you need to know
Dubai has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Explore your options for booking a flight from Dubai to Shanghai flying out of Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Step off your plane in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Take a direct Dubai to Shanghai flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 8 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is four hours ahead of Dubai.
The busiest route for flights from Dubai to Shanghai is from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). You can choose from 21 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from DXB to PVG is the 02:50 Emirates option. If you prefer travelling later, the last available departure is at 21:05 with China Eastern Airlines.
To ensure you catch your Dubai to Shanghai flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer lines in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Shanghai
To snag cheap Dubai to Shanghai flights, reserve your journey one month ahead of your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Dubai to Shanghai is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Dubai to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Take off from Dubai Airport (DXB) on a nonstop flight from Dubai to Shanghai. From DXB, you can fly directly to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Be on the lookout for deals with Emirates. This carrier offers direct Dubai to Shanghai plane tickets from DXB.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for Dubai to Shanghai flights departing from Dubai Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
DXB is about 10 kilometres from central Dubai. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Dubai to Shanghai? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Dubai Airport:
Of all flights leaving Dubai Airport, 74.31% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
With public transport, you can travel from central Dubai to DWC in around 2 hours 5 minutes. The terminal is roughly 48 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 45 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Dubai to Shanghai? Kick back in a hotel near Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 57%. This figure reflects how often flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometers. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Reserve a hotel close to PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Dubai to Shanghai. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go beyond Shanghai and check out places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
To get the lowest possible price, reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to your day of departure.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, it takes approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Dubai to Shanghai:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and unlock more experiences with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, so you can drive off in a flash.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can just pick up the keys and get on your way.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Dubai to Shanghai. April is the busiest month to travel to Shanghai. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book your Dubai to Shanghai ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for cheap flights from Dubai to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Dubai to Shanghai, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Shanghai travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Shanghai Tower.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of China waiting to be explored. About 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another favourite stop in China. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.