South Africa
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Find Cheap Flights from Cape Town to Shanghai – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Cape Town and Shanghai. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Top routes
CPT - PVG
Cheapest • 26% average savings
CPT - SHA
Most popular
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Insights
When to book
13 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 36% compared to booking last minute.
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Insights
When to travel
May
Cheapest • 23% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Doha Hamad Intl (DOH)
Cheapest • Avg R14 597 (return)
Addis Ababa Bole (ADD)
Shortest trip • 19h 22m (one-way)
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Shanghai!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cape Town to Shanghai (CPT-SHA)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Cape Town to Shanghai

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CPT  Cape Town Airport-CN2 London Canonbury
20852 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
CN2  London Canonbury-CPT Cape Town Airport
20852 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Cape Town to Shanghai flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai. It’s 9% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 5% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai?

•May is the cheapest month to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai at R11 200 return.
•September (R17 184) and December (R16 800) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 53% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Cape Town to Shanghai the cheapest?

Flights from Cape Town to Shanghai are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 36% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for Cape Town to Shanghai flights

Low season

August
Beat the crowds with an average 57% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 107% increase in traveller numbers.

When to book flights from Cape Town to Shanghai

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cape Town to Shanghai based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Cape Town to Shanghai flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Cape Town to Shanghai:

    • Economy class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    A direct flight from Cape Town to Shanghai takes 00m, covering 20 852 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Cape Town to Shanghai flight?

    Return flights from Cape Town to Shanghai range from R12 806 to R16 931, with an average of R14 493 over the past 12 months. Anything below R12 806 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Cape Town to Shanghai flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 27% above the R14 493 route average. Book 13 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    Flights from Cape Town to Shanghai usually depart from Cape Town Intl (CPT) and may arrive at several airports in Shanghai area, including Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Intl (SHA).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Cape Town to Shanghai pass through?

    One-stop flights from Cape Town to Shanghai most commonly connect through:

    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) – 52% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) – 30% of one-stop connections
    • Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) – 17% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) – 1% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 13% on flights from Cape Town to Shanghai. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at R13 333 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at R15 317, a difference of R1 983.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Cape Town to Shanghai?

    Flying via Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 19h 22m, compared to 23h 18m via Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) and 24h 01m via Dubai Intl (DXB).

  • What is the time difference between Cape Town and Shanghai?

    Shanghai is 6 hours ahead of Cape Town (China Time vs South Africa Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Shanghai?

    Oriental Pearl Tower is one of the most viewed places in Shanghai on KAYAK.

Your guide to booking Cape Town to Shanghai flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Tuesday flights average R13 333, about R1 983 less than Saturday fares (13% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 36% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Cape Town to Shanghai trip for May. Fares historically average R11 200 return in that month – typically R5 983 less than the most expensive month, which is September (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, hotels close to the airport you're flying into can be a convenient option.

    Near Shanghai Pu Dong Airport

    • Dazhong Airport Hotel
    • Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Shanghai Pudong Airport

    Near Shanghai Hongqiao Intl Airport

    • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Boyue Hotel - Airchina

More options for your flight from Cape Town to Shanghai

Complete your trip to Shanghai with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Shanghai
Hotels in Shanghai