Travelling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 13 hours 40 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
London Heathrow Airport is located in London. Based in the UTC+8 timezone, Shanghai is eight hours ahead of London.
The busiest route is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). There are 14 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to get on your way as soon as you can, the earliest flight from LHR to PVG is the 12:10 British Airways service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 21:20 with China Eastern Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your LHR to Shanghai flight.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can book a direct London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai ticket. Begin your journey at LHR and end it at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Look out for deals with China Eastern Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from LHR to Shanghai with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 26 kilometres from central London, LHR can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 25 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near LHR. Whether you've booked an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
78% of flights departing from London Heathrow Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai flight is 337 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 520 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 11 months before your departure date. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from LHR to Shanghai.
The best month for picking up cheap London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Snapping up a cheap flight from LHR to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport typically takes 50 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
To lock in the lowest rate, reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks before your flight from LHR to Shanghai. Rates generally rise as your departure date approaches.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is about 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Once your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 30 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 40 minutes on public transport.
Following your LHR to Shanghai flight, unwind at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can just get the keys and go.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. February is the busiest month to travel to Shanghai. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in December.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book your London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Look for cheap tickets from LHR to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel during 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 perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of China you'll want to see. About 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a visit to Nanjing will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
If you're interested in discovering another well-known destination in China, head for Puyang, roughly 241 kilometres southwest of Shanghai. Xuanlushan Scenic Area, Xianhua Mountain and Minsheng Flower Sea are the start of reasons to visit.