Shanghai to Tokyo is one of Asia’s busiest short-haul international routes, with dozens of nonstop departures every day and real competition between full-service carriers and low-cost airlines. The flight takes under three hours, so the main decision is price and schedule rather than stops. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return fare looks like in Chinese yuan, and when to book to save.
Route: Shanghai (PVG Pudong / SHA Hongqiao) → Tokyo (HND Haneda / NRT Narita)
Distance: approximately 1,760 km (1,090 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 55m – 3h 10m
Direct flights: Yes — China Eastern, Air China, Juneyao Airlines, Spring Airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines all fly non-stop. This is a frequent, well-served corridor with no need to connect.
Fares from Shanghai to Tokyo (CNY)
All prices here are in Chinese yuan (RMB), not Japanese yen. Fares swing sharply with the holiday calendar on both sides. The biggest spikes are Chinese New Year (late January or February), the cherry-blossom weeks of April, Japan’s Golden Week (late April to early May), the summer break, and China’s National Day Golden Week (the first week of October). The cheapest windows are the quiet stretches of June, September and November. The figures below are typical economy return fares in yuan; the lowest are usually the low-cost carriers, the full-service airlines sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | medium (Spring Festival spike late month) |
| February | — | very high (Spring Festival) |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | high (cherry blossom) |
| May | — | high early (Golden Week) |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | high (summer) |
| August | — | very high (peak summer) |
| September | — | low-medium |
| October | — | very high first week (Golden Week) |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium, rising late |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the low-cost non-stops run RMB 1,749–RMB 2,019 with a median of RMB 1,951, and the market median across all fares is RMB 2,002 — so about RMB 2,000 is the going rate, not a fare to rush for, and nothing is on sale below RMB 1,749. Anything under RMB 1,850 is a genuinely good price. The full-service non-stops are a clear tier above: China Eastern at RMB 3,091–RMB 5,643 into Haneda. Prices climb further at Spring Festival and Golden Week.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 3 hours):
- China Eastern — the dominant carrier out of Shanghai, with the most departures and both Pudong and Hongqiao service (Shanghai Airlines flies under the same group).
- Air China — non-stop from Pudong, a solid full-service option with Star Alliance connections onward.
- Juneyao Airlines — Shanghai-based full-service carrier, frequently the most punctual on the route and often keenly priced.
- Spring Airlines — Shanghai’s low-cost airline, usually the cheapest headline fare; expect a hand-baggage-only base fare and paid extras.
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) — non-stop from Pudong, 5-star Japanese full-service with generous baggage.
- Japan Airlines (JAL) — non-stop from Pudong, excellent economy and reliable schedules.
Because so many airlines compete on such a short hop, fares stay low outside the holiday peaks. The low-cost carriers set the floor; the full-service airlines charge a modest premium for a checked bag, a meal and more legroom. There is no reason to take a one-stop routing here — nonstops are plentiful and cheaper.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice on a short-haul route like this; last-minute fares climb fast around holidays.
- Dodge the peaks: Spring Festival, cherry-blossom April, Golden Week (early May and early October) and the summer break are dearest — shift a week either side and fares can halve.
- Travel in June, September or November for the lowest fares and thinner crowds.
- Compare all-in prices on low-cost fares: Spring Airlines’ base fare is hand-baggage only, so add a checked bag before comparing with the full-service carriers, which usually include one.
- Be flexible on airports: Haneda (HND) is far closer to central Tokyo than Narita (NRT); from Shanghai, Pudong (PVG) has the widest choice while Hongqiao (SHA) offers a handy Haneda shuttle.
Arriving in Tokyo
Flights land at one of two airports. Haneda (HND) is only about 15 km from central Tokyo: the Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa in around 15 minutes and the Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho in about 13 minutes, each roughly RMB 25–RMB 30. Narita (NRT) is about 60 km east; the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in around 41 minutes and the Narita Express serves Tokyo Station in about 60 minutes, at roughly RMB 120–RMB 150. Check which airport your ticket uses — the difference in transfer time and cost is significant.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Tokyo?
Non-stop flights take about 2 hours 55 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes. The route is short-haul, so nearly every service is a direct hop — total travel time is essentially the flight time plus your airport transfers.
Are there direct flights from Shanghai to Tokyo?
Yes, and plenty of them. China Eastern, Air China, Juneyao Airlines, Spring Airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines all fly non-stop, with dozens of departures every day from Shanghai Pudong (and a Haneda shuttle from Hongqiao). There is no need to connect on this route.
How much does it cost to fly from Shanghai to Tokyo?
About RMB 2,000 return. The low-cost non-stops to Narita run RMB 1,749–RMB 2,019, and the full-service non-stops into Haneda are a separate tier at RMB 3,091–RMB 5,643. Spring Festival, Golden Week and peak summer push everything higher. All prices are in Chinese yuan, not Japanese yen.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Tokyo?
June, September and November are usually the quietest months. In the dates we could price, low-cost returns started at RMB 1,749. Avoid Chinese New Year (late January or February), April’s cherry-blossom weeks, Golden Week (early May and early October) and the summer break, which are the busiest and priciest.
Which airlines fly from Shanghai to Tokyo?
Non-stop carriers are China Eastern (the biggest, plus group airline Shanghai Airlines), Air China, Juneyao Airlines, the low-cost Spring group, Peach, ANA and Japan Airlines. In our fare data the low-cost non-stops to Narita supply almost all of the cheapest seats at RMB 1,749–RMB 2,019, while China Eastern’s Haneda services run RMB 3,091–RMB 5,643. ANA and JAL offer the most polished economy product.
Which airport do I fly into in Tokyo?
Either Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT). Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo (about 15 km) and quicker to reach, while Narita sits around 60 km east and needs a longer, pricier train. Check your ticket, as the transfer time and cost differ noticeably.
How far in advance should I book Shanghai to Tokyo flights?
Aim to book 3 to 8 weeks ahead. On a busy short-haul route fares are lowest a month or two out and rise as the date nears, especially around Chinese and Japanese public holidays. For Spring Festival or Golden Week travel, book as early as you can.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday flights, and travelling out and back on weekdays can save RMB 200–RMB 500 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare on this route.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns in Chinese yuan — check the live fare before booking.
