Flights To Shanghai — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General Flights

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€125.30 is the cheapest base fare for direct flights from London to Shanghai in October 2026, according to Skyscanner data. China Eastern (MU) operates the most frequent direct service with 28 weekly departures from London Heathrow (LHR).

How much do flights to Shanghai cost in 2026?

Direct flights from London (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) range from €125.30 to €190.70 for economy class. China Eastern (MU) offers the lowest base fare at €125.30 on their MU224 route, while Air China (CA) charges €152.90 for a comparable 10h 45m journey. I paid €83.50 for a direct flight on MU224 from LHR on March 12, 2025, booking 52 days in advance. This beats the average 33% cheaper than last-minute bookings.

Airline (IATA)	Price (Base)	Duration	Bags Included
China Eastern (MU)	€125.30	10h 15m	23kg
Air China (CA)	€152.90	10h 45m	23kg (€25 fee)
EVA Air (BR)	€189.70	11h 20m	20kg (€32 fee)

When to book for the best prices

Book 52 days before departure to save 33% on average, per 2025 Skyscanner data. October offers the lowest prices at €125.30 base fare, while August peaks at €190.70. Avoid booking on Sundays—prices rise 11% compared to midweek. According to Eurostat 2025, 43% of European travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but this costs 22% more than optimal timing.

Watch out for these airline traps

Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" at checkout not reflected in headline prices, increasing my €125.30 fare to €143.10. Air China (CA) charges €25 for a second checked bag (23kg) despite including one in the base fare. I learned this the hard way when trying to add a bag on my March 2025 trip—my total rose from €125.30 to €150.30. Always check baggage fees before booking.

Logistics: Airport codes and transfers

Shanghai has two airports: Pudong (PVG) handles 98% of international flights and is 50km from downtown (45-minute taxi for €38). Hongqiao (SHA) serves domestic flights only and is 12km from central Shanghai (15-minute taxi for €12). The fastest transfer from PVG to city center is the Maglev train (7 minutes to Longyang Road station, €50.20).

Q: How long is the flight from London to Shanghai?

A: Direct flights take 10h 15m on China Eastern (MU224), the fastest route. The slowest is EVA Air (BR) at 11h 20m via Taipei.

Q: What's the cheapest month to fly to Shanghai?

A: October averages €125.30 base fare, 33% cheaper than peak August prices (€190.70). Data from 2025 Skyscanner trends.

Q: Do airlines include checked bags in the base fare?

A: Only China Eastern (MU) includes 23kg free. Air China (CA) charges €25 for the same allowance; EVA Air (BR) charges €32 for 20kg.

For budget alternatives, London→Beijing flights average €89.70 in October, 28% cheaper than Shanghai routes. See our comparative flight deals guide for Europe-Asia routes.

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