Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Kuala Lumpur. Explore your options leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when searching for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai.
When choosing where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the major entry points.
Book a direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 30 minutes.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which is the same as Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 49 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai is with AirAsia X at 23:15. Choose the first KUL to PVG departure with China Eastern Airlines at 01:55 to fit in more activities on your first day in Shanghai.
Give yourself enough time to make your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month like August? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai
Book four months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
You don't need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai.
Find a cheap Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Jet off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on a nonstop flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai. From KUL, you can land directly at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Choose from a range of carriers offering direct Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai plane tickets with departures from KUL, including:
We make it a breeze to find a Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Jieyang Chaoshan Airport (SWA)
KUL is about 48 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
58.65% of flights that take off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Think about adding a stop at Penang International Airport (PEN). It's a key stopover on a Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight departing Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. Use a longer layover to explore nearby, or take advantage of a quick break to grab a bite to eat at the airport.
SZB is around 16 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. It takes 25 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, kick back in one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 67.97%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
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.
To get the best possible deal, book your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport several weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to your travel date.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near SHA. Settle in and get cosy after your Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Line up the perfect playlist and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and set off on your adventure right away.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA in advance so you can just pick up the keys and get on your way.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Shanghai based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of China you should also see. Around 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
If you're ready to explore another corner of China, head for Suzhou, roughly 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower are the start of reasons to visit.