641 € Cheap Flights from London Gatwick to Shanghai

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Flight deals from London Gatwick to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from 645 €. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from London Gatwick to Shanghai

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

Direct flights from London Gatwick to Shanghai

Alternative London Gatwick to Shanghai routes

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

London to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found641 €
Cheapest month to flyNovember
Average flight time11 hrs, 16 mins
Most popular airlineChina Eastern
Average flights per week46

Finding cheap flights from London Gatwick 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 Gatwick to Shanghai is 641 €. 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 16 minutes is the average flight time from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
China Eastern and Air China fly direct from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
As of June 2026, there are 69 flights per week flying from London Gatwick to Shanghai.
The cheapest month to fly from London Gatwick to Shanghai is usually November.
If you're flying from London Gatwick Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Pudong – which is 32.7 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from 641 €.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 11 hours and 16 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 June, the average temperature is usually around 23°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.
Currently, Air France and Air China offer the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Flying from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • Take a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai and you'll be in the air for an average of 12 hours 35 minutes.

  • The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8. The city is eight hours ahead of London, where London Gatwick Airport is located.

  • With 18 weekly flights between the two airports, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route. China Eastern Airlines operates the earliest flight at 10:30. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the last departure from LGW to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 19:00.

  • To avoid missing your LGW to Shanghai flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.

  • Be prepared for longer lines in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.

  • Direct London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai tickets are available for booking. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is where you'll complete your journey.

  • Take to the skies with China Eastern Airlines. This popular carrier operates direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai.

  • Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick a new city off your list. When searching for plane tickets from LGW to Shanghai, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

    • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

  • The journey from central London to LGW takes about 30 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 1 hour 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.

  • Catching an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to LGW:

  • When it comes to London Gatwick Airport's on-time performance, data shows 69.26% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.

How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Shanghai

  • 379 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai flight. A return plane ticket right now is 641 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.

  • Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from LGW to Shanghai if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.

  • Landing cheap tickets from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest prices throughout the month and pick up an incredible deal.

  • Finding a cheap flight from LGW to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.

  • Save money on your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. Following your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • After stepping off your LGW to Shanghai flight, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:

  • Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and see and do more with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, so you can hit the road without delay.

  • Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's left, by reserving your ride from SHA in advance. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during busy airport times.

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

  • Before booking your flights from London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Shanghai offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.

  • The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your London Gatwick Airport to Shanghai plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.

  • If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from LGW to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • You've visited Shanghai, now it's time to explore other parts of China. Journey about 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake, there's plenty to keep you busy.

  • Around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai, Puyang is another essential stop in China. Experience major highlights starting with Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.