Travelling from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Melbourne is three hours ahead of Shanghai, where Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is located. Melbourne runs on the UTC+11 timezone.
Leave plenty of time to make your SHA to Melbourne flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time like July? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even tick off a new city. When searching for plane tickets from SHA to Melbourne, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
SHA is around 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Searching for a hotel close to SHA? If you're boarding an early flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport gets top marks for its on-time performance. 85.58% of flights that depart SHA reach their destination on time.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Melbourne
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne flight is 224 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 442 €. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from SHA to Melbourne, book as early as you can. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
If you have flexibility with your trip dates, check out the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne ticket.
Snapping up a cheap flight from SHA to Melbourne couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is roughly 24 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own set of wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are top providers to choose from here.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks before your flight from SHA to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is around 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
There are some terrific places to stay just a short drive from AVV. Get into relaxation mode at Corio Bay Motel after your SHA to Melbourne flight.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV will save you money.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne and make your way to your hotel or jump right into exploring. The centre of Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and usually takes 25 minutes to reach by car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, head for a hotel near MEB. Settle in at one of these options after your SHA to Melbourne flight:
Be in control of the next part of your trip with an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are dependable companies for booking.
Rental agencies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so book your ride from MEB in advance of your flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Before locking in your flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Melbourne offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Melbourne is January, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SHA to Melbourne around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Melbourne right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Melbourne:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square and Eureka Skydeck 88 are must-visits when exploring Melbourne.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Australia you'll want to see. About 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in Australia, head for Launceston, roughly 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience are highlights.