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

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Shanghai and Cape Town. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Insights
When to travel
November
Cheapest • 23% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest • Avg R18 603 (return)
Addis Ababa Bole (ADD)
Shortest trip • 19h 48m (one-way)
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Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cape Town!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Cape Town

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

Recent return flight deals from Shanghai to Cape Town

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

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

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

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

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Shanghai to Cape Town and is 24% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 30% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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Key details for Shanghai to Cape Town flights

Low season

May
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 78% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (5% more expensive on average)

When to book flights from Shanghai to Cape Town

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

Your Shanghai to Cape Town flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

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

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Shanghai to Cape Town.

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

    A direct flight from Shanghai to Cape Town takes 0h 00m, covering 20 852 km.

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

    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 Shanghai to Cape Town flight?

    Return flights from Shanghai to Cape Town range from R16 791 to R22 772, with an average of R19 683 over the past 12 months. Anything below R16 791 counts as a good deal.

  • Which car hire options are available at Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT)?

    Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around R50 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Europcar
    • Sixt
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz
    • Woodford

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

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

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

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

    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) – 50% of one-stop connections
    • Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) – 22% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) – 22% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) – 6% of one-stop connections

    Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 41% on the Shanghai to Cape Town route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at R15 136 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at R25 594, a difference of R10 458. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 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 Shanghai to Cape Town?

    Flying via Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 19h 48m, compared to 21h 25m via Dubai Intl (DXB) and 22h 00m via Doha Hamad Intl (DOH).

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

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Cape Town?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cape Town are Sea Point Pavilion, Bloubergstrand Beach, and Camps Bay Beach. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

Your guide to booking Shanghai to Cape Town 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 instead of Saturday. On this route, Tuesday flights average R15 136 – about R10 458 less than Saturday (41% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Shanghai to Cape Town trip for November. Fares historically average R15 120 return in that month – typically R19 832 less than the most expensive month, which is May (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cape Town Intl Airport.
    - Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
    - Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport

More options for your flight from Shanghai to Cape Town

Complete your trip to Cape Town with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Cape Town
Hotels in Cape Town