Flying from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 13 hours 40 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
London Heathrow Airport is located in London. Following the UTC+8 timezone, Shanghai is eight hours ahead of London.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route. British Airways operates the earliest flight at 12:10. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from LHR to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:20.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your LHR to Shanghai flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're flying during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
Direct London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai tickets are available for booking. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is where you'll step off the plane.
British Airways is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially unlock a cheaper flight ticket from LHR to Shanghai. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour.
Catching an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near LHR:
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow Airport, data shows 68.18% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai
$559 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai flight. A return ticket right now is $899. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares could change.
To find cheap flights from LHR to Shanghai, book early. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an even better deal on cheap flights from LHR to Shanghai.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 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. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near PVG:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
Increase your likelihood of securing the best deal by booking early. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from LHR to Shanghai is a good idea.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 14 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. After your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your LHR to Shanghai flight:
Why work around someone else's schedule? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and decide exactly where your journey goes. Reserve your wheels here with Hertz.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA a few weeks in advance so you can simply grab the keys and get going.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
Before locking in your flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Shanghai offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while low season brings better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
Before locking in your London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai flight ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from LHR to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, explore our range of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Yu Garden, The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Shanghai Tower 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 just waiting to be explored. Around 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the move. Don't miss top attractions like Nanjing City Wall, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake.
Around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai, Puyang is another favourite stop in China. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.