Cheap flights from London to Shanghai

Compare London to Shanghai flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Shanghai

Book the best Shanghai fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from London to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from London to Shanghai? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from P37,175. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like London to Shanghai flights are currently cheapest in September.

Direct flights from London to Shanghai

Alternative London to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from London to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

London to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundP20,759
Cheapest month to flySeptember
Average flight time11 hrs, 28 mins
Most popular airlineChina Eastern
Average flights per week57

Finding cheap flights from London to Shanghai: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.
The best price we found for a return flight from London to Shanghai is P33,524. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
11 hours and 27 minutes is the average flight time from London to Shanghai.
China Eastern, British Airways and China Southern fly direct from London to Shanghai.
As of July 2026, there are 57 flights per week flying from London to Shanghai.
The cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai is usually September.
If you're flying from London, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Hongqiao – which is 13.8 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from P33,524.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from London to Shanghai on Sunday, 27 September 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 27 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shanghai but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

In July, the average temperature is usually around 27°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.
The cheapest airline that flies to Shanghai is Xiamen Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to Shanghai Pudong Airport is Air China.

Flying from London to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • London has plenty of airports to head out from. Explore your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when planning your flight from London to Shanghai. London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the other main bases in the city.

  • Touch down in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).

  • Around 11 hours 45 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct London to Shanghai flight.

  • The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is eight hours ahead of London.

  • London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 14 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from London to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:20. Opt for the first LHR to PVG departure with British Airways at 12:10 to fit in more activities on your first day in Shanghai.

  • Give yourself plenty of time to catch your London to Shanghai flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • You can expect bigger queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.

How to find the cheapest flights from London to Shanghai

  • Get cheap London to Shanghai flights by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding the biggest deals.

  • April is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on a plane ticket from London to Shanghai. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.

  • Finding a cheap flight from London to Shanghai is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.

  • Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your London to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'

Flying from London

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

  • Take off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a nonstop flight from London to Shanghai. From LHR, you can travel directly to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).

  • Keep an eye out for promotions with British Airways. This airline offers direct London to Shanghai plane tickets out of LHR.

  • We make it easy to book a London to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from London Heathrow Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Top stopovers include:

    • Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)

    • Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)

    • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

  • The journey from central London to LHR takes about 25 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometers in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

  • Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from London to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:

  • When it comes to London Heathrow Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

  • Prefer to fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW)? This hub offers direct flights from London to Shanghai, seamlessly connecting you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).

  • China Eastern Airlines offers direct London to Shanghai plane tickets from LGW. Book your favourite seat and get to your destination in a single stretch.

  • Break up your London to Shanghai flight with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some top stopovers between London Gatwick Airport and Shanghai are:

    • Guangzhou Airport (CAN)

    • Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)

    • Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)

  • With public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometers away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.

  • It's your holiday, so why not spend another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your flight from London to Shanghai:

  • London Gatwick Airport has a reputation for reliability and timeliness. 83% of flights out of here arrive right when they're supposed to.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

  • Booking a ticket from London to Shanghai with one or more stops can offer you a bigger choice of departure times and access to cheaper fares. When flying from London Stansted Airport (STN), here's where you can make a pit stop at on your way to Shanghai:

    • Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)

    • Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

    • Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

  • From central London, STN is around 48 kilometers away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the airport by car and 45 minutes or so if you take public transport.

  • Sleep a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your London to Shanghai flight with time to spare. These hotels near London Stansted Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're jetting off early:

  • With 80% of its departing flights arriving without delays, STN is a reliable starting point for your adventure.

Arriving in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)

  • Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometers from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.

  • It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.

  • If you're coming in on a late flight from London to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near PVG:

  • Go beyond Shanghai and explore places that don't always get the spotlight with your own wheels. You can pick up a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car from Hertz.

  • Book your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport several weeks before your departure date to secure the best deal. If you're going away during a peak period, you may want to book your London to Shanghai flight even earlier.

  • You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

  • Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kilometers from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA). Once your flight from London to Shanghai has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 30 minutes.

  • The trip will take approximately 40 minutes on public transport.

  • Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from London to Shanghai:

  • Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and expand your travel horizons with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from arrivals, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.

  • Typically, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Lock in your ride from SHA the moment you know your dates.

  • You can find Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

  • It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from London to Shanghai. April is the busiest month to visit Shanghai. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in March.

  • Book a London to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).

  • January has average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for cheap flights from London to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • You've seen Shanghai, now it's time to explore more of China. Travel around 274 kilometers west to Nanjing to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.

  • Suzhou is another standout destination in China and is around 80 kilometers west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without a visit to Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.