London to Shanghai is a major long-haul business and leisure route, and you have a genuine choice: fly non-stop from Heathrow in a little under 12 hours, or trim the fare with a one-stop itinerary through the Gulf or Europe. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in pounds, and when to book to pay the least.
Route: London (LHR) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
Distance: approximately 9,200 km (5,700 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 11h 45m – 12h eastbound (a little longer on the return against the winds)
Direct flights: Yes — and check which London airport: in our fare data every cheap non-stop to Pudong left Gatwick, on Air China (£523–£660) and China Eastern (£531–£959). British Airways also flies the route non-stop from Heathrow. One-stop itineraries barely undercut the direct here — the cheapest was £510 against a £523 non-stop.
Fares from London to Shanghai (GBP)
Shanghai is a year-round destination, but fares track Chinese travel patterns. The busiest, priciest periods are Chinese New Year (late January or February), the Golden Week holidays around early May and early October, and the Christmas/New Year peak. Spring and autumn shoulder weeks are the sweet spot for weather and price. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest are one-stop itineraries, with non-stop flights sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high (Chinese New Year) |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high (Golden Week) |
| June | — | medium |
| July | — | medium-high (summer holidays) |
| August | — | medium-high |
| September | — | low-medium |
| October | — | medium (Golden Week) |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical fair price is roughly £570–£650 — the non-stop median is £600, so that band is right. The floor is £510, so a return under about £540 is a genuinely good one and there is nothing in the four hundreds to wait for. The page’s other rule of thumb also holds: the non-stops start only a little above the cheapest one-stops — £523 against £510 — which on a twelve-hour flight makes the direct the obvious buy. Air China is the cheapest carrier, with a median of £532.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 11¾ hours from Heathrow):
- British Airways — non-stop Heathrow → Shanghai Pudong, roughly daily on the Boeing 787.
- China Eastern — the most frequent non-stop operator on the route, several flights a week from Heathrow, often with the sharpest non-stop fares.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 15–19 hours total):
- Emirates via Dubai — frequent and reliable, strong economy from all three main London airports.
- Qatar Airways via Doha — a short first hop and consistently good-value premium economy.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and European carriers such as KLM (Amsterdam), Lufthansa (Frankfurt) or Finnair (Helsinki) — typically the lowest headline fares.
The one-stop carriers compete hard, so they often undercut the non-stops by £50–£150. If time matters most, book the non-stop; if price is the priority, a single stop through the Gulf or a European hub is the value play.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Shanghai rarely fall in the final weeks.
- Avoid the peaks: Chinese New Year, the early-May and early-October Golden Weeks, and the Christmas holidays are the busiest and most expensive.
- Aim for the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) for the best mix of mild weather and lower fares.
- Check your visa early: most UK travellers need a Chinese visa, though Shanghai offers a visa-free transit scheme for qualifying onward journeys — confirm the current rules before you book.
- Compare all-in prices including bags: full-service and Gulf carriers usually include 25–30 kg to Shanghai, but the cheapest “light” fares may not.
Arriving in Shanghai
Long-haul flights land at Pudong International (PVG), about 30 km east of the city. The fastest way in is the Maglev to Longyang Road in around 8 minutes (about £5–£6), then a quick Metro Line 2 connection; the Metro runs the whole way for well under £1 if you’re not in a hurry, and a metered taxi to the centre costs roughly £15–£22 plus tolls. A few domestic and regional flights use the older Hongqiao (SHA) airport on the west side of the city — check which one your ticket uses, as they’re far apart.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Shanghai?
Non-stop flights take about 11 hours 45 minutes to 12 hours eastbound from Heathrow to Pudong, and a little longer on the return against the prevailing winds. One-stop itineraries through Dubai, Doha or a European hub typically take 15 to 19 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Shanghai?
Yes. British Airways and China Eastern both fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines or a European carrier are usually cheaper than the non-stops.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Shanghai?
A typical economy return runs about £530–£670, median £600, with the whole sample spanning £510–£959. The best one-stop deals start at £510 and the cheapest non-stop at £523. Chinese New Year and the December peaks push toward the top of that range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Shanghai?
September and November are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at £510 connecting and £523 non-stop. Avoid Chinese New Year (late January or February), the early-May and early-October Golden Weeks, and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and dearest.
Which airlines fly from London to Shanghai?
Non-stop: Air China (£523–£660) and China Eastern (£531–£959) from Gatwick carried every cheap direct we found; British Airways also flies it non-stop from Heathrow but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. One-stop: China Southern (£547–£571), Aegean (£547–£568), Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (£636–£652) and Finnair (£653–£659). Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM and Lufthansa also sell the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares. On this route the Chinese non-stops, not the European connections, carry the lowest fares.
Which airport do I fly into in Shanghai?
Almost all long-haul flights land at Pudong International (PVG), east of the city. Some domestic and regional services use Hongqiao (SHA) on the west side instead — the two airports are far apart, so check your ticket before arranging onward transport.
How far in advance should I book London to Shanghai flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Shanghai tend to rise as departure approaches, particularly around Chinese New Year, the Golden Weeks and the Christmas peak, so booking early almost always wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save £30–£80 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
