Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai: what you need to know
Kuala Lumpur is home to a couple of airports where you can kick off your travels. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB).
Touch down in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Take a direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 5 hours 35 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai are both in the UTC+8 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. When looking for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, you can choose from 80 services a week between KUL and PVG.
To ensure you make your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai
Book two months before flying. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights.
Schedule your trip for July. That's the best month for scoring great bargains on plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Finding a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, you can depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Travel from KUL to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) without any stops.
These are some of the leading airlines offering direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai plane tickets from KUL:
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
Xiamen Airport (XMN)
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 40 minutes.
Want a handy hotel close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
Of the departures from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 59% arrive on time at their destination.
Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Break up your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight with a stop at Penang Airport (PEN). A major stopover between Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport and Shanghai, it's the perfect opportunity to relax before the next leg of your journey.
With public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in around 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 18 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 30 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, kick back in one of these hotels close to Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 72%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is approximately 32 kilometres. It takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
Drive into your next adventure with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
Increase the odds of scoring the best possible rate by booking as soon as possible. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport several weeks in advance is a smart move.
The address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is around 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA). As soon as your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 30 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 40 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near SHA. Tuck yourself in after your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and see and do more with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, so you can hit the road without delay.
Generally, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Lock in your ride from SHA the moment you know your dates.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the busiest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai. To escape the crowds, go to Shanghai in March.
Lock in a Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, check out our range of hotels including:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, its top attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
If you're eager to discover another corner of China, head for Suzhou, about 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road are highlights.







