Flying from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Approximately 14 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8. The city is 8 hours ahead of London, where London Heathrow Airport is located.
The busiest route is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). You can choose from 29 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from LHR to PVG is the 12:00 Virgin Atlantic service. If you'd rather fly out later on, the final departure is at 21:20 with China Eastern.
Give yourself enough time to make your flight from LHR to Shanghai. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak month like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can catch a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. Start your journey at LHR and touch down at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Pick from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. Head off on your trip with any of these:
We make it easy to plan a flight from LHR to Shanghai that includes a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
To travel to China for tourism purposes, you'll need a visa if you have a passport from United Kingdom. However, visa rules can change and you may need additional documents depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. Always check the most recent guidelines before you book your cheap ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
LHR is around 31 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 57 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 1 hour and 1 minute.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near LHR. Whether you're taking an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai
R 6,292 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. A return flight starts from R 9,704. These fares can change depending on availability.
To secure cheap tickets from LHR to Shanghai, reserve your journey 8 months before the departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai is April. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from LHR to Shanghai. There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped. We'll tell you when the price changes.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is about 49 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
After your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 21 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
After your flight from LHR to Shanghai, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SHA. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Shanghai
July is the busiest month to board a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai while April is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Shanghai, consider the pace you prefer to travel at.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your flights from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from LHR to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Shanghai
After locking in your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Shanghai and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.