Cheap Flights from Hong Kong to Shanghai

Flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai? Look no further! Flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Shanghai cover ​1,207 km and take ​~2.5 hours. Both cities share the ​UTC+8 time zone, so no clock changes!

• Most flights land at Pudong International Airport (PVG), ​40 km from downtown. A few use ​Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), closer to the city center (ideal for shorter transfers). Arrive ​2–3 hours early for check-in.
• For a premium experience, ​Cathay Pacific offers frequent flights with comfy seats and great service. If you’re watching your budget, ​Spring Airlines is a cheap pick, with round-trip fares starting at $123. For something reliable but not too pricey, ​China Eastern Airlines and ​Shanghai Airlines strike a nice balance.
• The best deals pop up between ​May 11–18. February is quieter and cheaper (perfect for avoiding crowds), while June is peak season—book early to save yourself from sky-high prices.

If you’d rather skip the flight, trains and buses from HK to Shanghai sometimes might be cheaper but take much longer. I still think flying is the best.

Hong Kong International Airport. Source: Photo by Sugarman Joe on Unsplash

Airport in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s one and only major airport, ​Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), is a smooth, modern hub on Chek Lap Kok Island—just ​34km west of downtown.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

With 2 terminals handling over 70 million travelers a year, HKG feels more like a luxury mall than an airport. Direct flights to ​Shanghai (PVG or SHA airports) take just ​2.5 hours, with plenty of daily options. ​Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong’s pride and joy), ​Hong Kong Airlines (budget-friendly but comfy), and ​China Eastern (reliable and frequent) all fly from ​Terminal 1, so no terminal chaos!

Getting to HKG from Downtown

• Airport Express Train: The fastest way (24 mins, ~HK115/15 USD). Trains run every 10 mins from Central. Pro tip: Use your Octopus card for a smooth ride.
• City Buses: The cheapest option (HK40−50/5-7 USD). Routes like ​A11 (to Central) or ​A21 (to Tsim Sha Tsui) take 40-60 mins. Perfect for daytime flights!
• Taxi: The easiest door-to-door choice (HK250−350/30-45 USD). Skip 8-10am and 5-7pm rush hours unless you’re into traffic jams.

Pudong Kong International Airport. Source: Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai has two airports: ​Pudong (PVG) for most international flights and ​Hongqiao (SHA) for domestic trips.

​Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Location: 30km east of downtown.
This is Shanghai’s international airport hub, with 2 terminals handling over 70 million travelers a year. It’s where you’ll land if you’re flying from Hong Kong or overseas. Direct flights from Hong Kong take ​2.5 hours, with airlines like ​Cathay Pacific, ​Hong Kong Airlines, and ​China Eastern making the trip multiple times daily.

Getting from Pudong to Downtown

• ​Maglev Train: The fastest option—8 mins to Longyang Road Station (¥50/$7). From there, hop on Metro Line 2 to reach People’s Square (~60 mins total).
• ​Metro Line 2: A slower but cheaper choice (¥6/$1, ~60 mins to People’s Square).
• ​Taxi: ~¥200/$30, but traffic can stretch the 45-60 minute ride.

​Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Location: 13km west of downtown.
Hongqiao is smaller and focuses on domestic flights. If you’re flying from Shanghai to another Chinese city, this is likely your airport. It’s super close to downtown and has two terminals. Plus, Hongqiao is connected to the ​Hongqiao Train Station, where you can catch high-speed trains to cities like Beijing or Hangzhou.

Getting from Hongqiao to Downtown

• ​Metro Lines 2, 10, or 17: The easiest way! ~25 mins to People’s Square (¥4/$0.60).
• ​Taxi: ~¥70/$10, and it’s just a 30-minute ride.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

• March–May and ​September–October are the most ideal: mild weather (10–28°C) for visiting the Bund or catching ​cherry blossoms (mid-late March) and ​Mid-Autumn Festival (September). Crowds are light, and flights/hotels are cheaper.
• December–February is chilly (0–10°C) but uncrowded and budget-friendly—perfect for museums or festive markets.

The Bund in Shanghai.

Where to Stay in Shanghai & Top Things to Do

1. The Bund
Attractions: Stroll along the Huangpu River, admire the skyline at night, and explore the historic colonial buildings.
Stay Here: 🏨 ​The Peninsula Shanghai – Luxury with Bund views, steps from the riverfront.

2. French Concession
Attractions: Wander tree-lined streets, browse boutique shops, and relax at cozy cafes. Check out Tianzifang’s artsy alleyways.
Stay Here: 🏨 ​The Puli Hotel and Spa – Modern and tranquil, close to Fuxing Park.

3. Nanjing Road
Attractions: Shop at one of the world’s busiest streets, try local street food, and visit People’s Square.
Stay Here: 🏨 ​Fairmont Peace Hotel – Historic elegance, right on Nanjing Road.

Add Hotel Booking & Car Rental to Your Trip to Shanghai

Hotel Booking
Need a place to crash in style? Trip.com’s got ​2,000+ Shanghai hotels to match your vibe. Splurge on a Bund-facing suite with skyline views, cozy up in a French Concession boutique hideaway, or keep it simple with a wallet-friendly spot near Jing’an Temple Station. Psst: Verified reviews and free cancellation on most bookings mean you can reserve with zero stress.

Car Rental
Shanghai’s metro is great, but sometimes you just wanna go rogue. With Trip.com’s car rentals, you can: Zip from Pudong Airport to your hotel without haggling taxis | Escape to dreamy water towns like Zhujiajiao for the day | Race to Disneyland before the kids (or you) start meltdown mode