Travelling from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai and you'll be in the air for around 10 hours 33 minutes.
Shanghai is 3 hours behind Sydney, where Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is located. Shanghai operates on the UTC+8 timezone.
The busiest route is from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Choose from 33 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SYD to PVG is the 09:30 Qantas service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 21:30 with China Eastern.
To ensure you get on your flight from SYD to Shanghai, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying during a popular month like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai. Begin your journey at SYD and end it at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Take to the skies with China Eastern. This popular airline offers direct flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from SYD to Shanghai. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
To visit China for tourism purposes, you will need a visa if you have a passport from Australia. However, visa rules can change and you may need further documentation depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. Always check the most recent guidelines before booking your cheap ticket from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai.
Located around 18 kilometres from central Sydney, SYD can be reached in about 21 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport is roughly 27 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays near SYD:
How to find the cheapest flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Shanghai
$227 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai. A return flight starts at $422. These prices may change based on availability and demand.
Lock in cheap tickets from SYD to Shanghai by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Plan your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from SYD to Shanghai. You don't need to look every day to see if fares have dropped. We'll let you know when there's a change in price.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is approximately 56 kilometres. It'll take you around 49 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Consider booking a hotel near PVG if you're catching a late flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is about 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). As soon as your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 21 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from SYD to Shanghai:
Best time to go to Shanghai
July is the busiest month for flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai. To avoid the crowds, travel to Shanghai in April when it's quieter.
Before locking in your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
Search for cheap flights from SYD 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
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are a couple of top-rated attractions to add to your Shanghai must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Shanghai Tower.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Shanghai and explore the city on your own schedule. Easily compare rates in one go to find the perfect ride once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Shanghai.