Travelling from Beijing to Shanghai: what you need to know
Begin planning your trip by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Beijing to Shanghai. Explore the options for departing from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX), two of the city's main airports.
The primary hubs where you can touch down in Shanghai are Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 19 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai. These two cities share the same timezone — UTC+8.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 459 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Beijing to Shanghai is with China Eastern Airlines at 21:30. Go for the first PEK to SHA departure with China Eastern Airlines at 07:00 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you catch your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
You won't need your passport or a visa to fly within China. You will need a valid form of identification however, such as a driver's licence or ID card. Put them on your packing list once you've booked cheap flights from Beijing to Shanghai.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Begin your journey at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which offers a range of direct flights from Beijing to Shanghai. From PEK, you can fly seamlessly to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
You'll have your pick of airlines offering direct flights from Beijing to Shanghai leaving from PEK. Book your seat with one of these:
We make it simple to plan a flight from Beijing to Shanghai with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Beijing Capital International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
Yantai Laishan International Airport (YNT)
To reach PEK from central Beijing, it takes about 40 minutes if you're travelling by car. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 31 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Have an early flight from Beijing to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near Beijing Capital International Airport:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Want to depart from Daxing International Airport (PKX)? You can book a direct flight from Beijing to Shanghai out of this hub. Arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and skip the layovers.
There are plenty of airlines that operate direct flights from Beijing to Shanghai. Compare your options below to find out which carrier best fits your trip plans departing from PKX:
Split up your flight from Beijing to Shanghai with a stop so you can recharge or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai include:
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)
Yantai Laishan International Airport (YNT)
Driving from central Beijing to PKX generally takes 1 hour and 3 minutes, depending on traffic. It's approximately 56 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
It's your holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Daxing International Airport the day before your flight from Beijing to Shanghai:
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to the centre of Shanghai takes about 49 minutes by car. It's approximately 56 kilometres away.
Book a hotel close to PVG if you're taking a late flight from Beijing to Shanghai. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is around 14 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, allow for a drive time of approximately 21 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
After your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel close to SHA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Shanghai
At the moment, ₹ 5,814 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Beijing to Shanghai. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 11,631. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap tickets from Beijing to Shanghai by booking at least 9 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for flight tickets from Beijing to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Beijing to Shanghai. You don't need to look every day to find out if prices have fallen. We'll let you know the moment the price changes.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Beijing to Shanghai.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Beijing to Shanghai. July is the most popular month to travel to Shanghai. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your flight from Beijing to Shanghai, think about the kind of weather you like best. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with the temperature ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Beijing to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Shanghai right here. Explore these hotels after you've booked your flight from Beijing to Shanghai:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are top sights which should be on any well-planned Shanghai itinerary.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Beijing to Shanghai isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Shanghai and explore at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
