Travelling from Shanghai to Chicago: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your journey from in Shanghai. Explore your options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when organising your flight from Shanghai to Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's primary gateways.
13 hours 50 minutes is the time it takes on average for a direct flight from Shanghai to Chicago. Operating on the UTC-5 timezone, Chicago is 13 hours behind Shanghai.
The most popular route for flights from Shanghai to Chicago is from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). You can choose from 7 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PVG to ORD is the 15:25 United Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 15:25 with United Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Shanghai to Chicago.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
If you have a passport from China, you will need an embassy visa to enter United States. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Shanghai to Chicago for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you book and certainly before you fly.
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Shanghai to Chicago, you can depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Travel from PVG to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in one seamless trip.
United Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Shanghai to Chicago taking off from PVG.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from Shanghai to Chicago. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
PVG is about 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 49 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
After a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Shanghai to Chicago or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Maximise your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to Chicago. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your bucket list. Whatever you want to do, check out these stops between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Chicago:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Driving from central Shanghai to SHA usually takes 21 minutes, depending on traffic. It's roughly 14 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Shanghai to Chicago, take things easy in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to central Chicago is about 35 minutes by car. It's approximately 40 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 54 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Shanghai to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Central Chicago is about 19 kilometres from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). As soon as your flight from Shanghai to Chicago has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 21 minutes.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take roughly 46 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near MDW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Shanghai to Chicago:
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Chicago
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Chicago is R 9,113. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 18,672. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To secure cheap tickets from Shanghai to Chicago, reserve your trip 9 months before the departure date.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Shanghai to Chicago. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from looking for cheap tickets from Shanghai to Chicago every day.
Play around with filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Shanghai to Chicago, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Chicago
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from Shanghai to Chicago. August is the most popular month to travel to Chicago. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Chicago is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 29ºC. Lock in your flights from Shanghai to Chicago in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from Shanghai to Chicago in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -12ºC and 3ºC on average.
More about Chicago
After booking your flight from Shanghai to Chicago, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chicago:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are leading attractions which should feature on any good Chicago itinerary.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Shanghai to Chicago to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Chicago, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.
