R8 355 Find Cheap Flights to Shanghai

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to Shanghai departing on 9/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Shanghai

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Shanghai
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Shanghai
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Shanghai

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights to Shanghai that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Shanghai

sön, okt 26 - mån, nov 3
Qatar Airways Logo
20:20 - 14:40JNB-PVG
36h 20m1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
23:35 - 15:35PVG-JNB
22h 00m1 stop
R11 986Qatar Airways
Find Deal
ons, okt 29 - tis, nov 4
Ethiopian Air Logo
14:30 - 17:25JNB-PVG
20h 55m1 stop
Ethiopian Air Logo
23:30 - 13:05PVG-JNB
19h 35m1 stop
R12 849Ethiopian Air
Find Deal
mån, okt 20 - sön, nov 2
Air China Logo
10:10 - 10:15JNB-PVG
42h 05m2 stops
Air China Logo
7:20 - 7:40PVG-JNB
30h 20m1 stop
R12 937Air China
Find Deal
mån, okt 20 - tors, okt 30
Air China Logo
10:10 - 19:00JNB-SHA
26h 50m2 stops
Air China Logo
14:25 - 7:40SHA-JNB
23h 15m2 stops
R12 937Air China
Find Deal
lör, sep 6 - mån, okt 6
Singapore Airlines Logo
19:50 - 6:35JNB-PVG
28h 45m1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
19:10 - 18:35PVG-JNB
29h 25m1 stop
R14 259Singapore Airlines
Find Deal
ons, okt 15 - sön, okt 26
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:20 - 12:05JNB-SHA
18h 45m1 stop
Cathay Pacific Logo
13:35 - 7:40SHA-JNB
24h 05m1 stop
R14 330Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
sön, okt 26 - mån, nov 3
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:05 - 12:20JNB-SHA
19h 15m1 stop
Cathay Pacific Logo
13:35 - 7:40SHA-JNB
24h 05m1 stop
R14 488Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
fre, feb 27 - sön, mar 8
Singapore Airlines Logo
10:40 - 12:45CPT-PVG
20h 05m2 stops
Singapore Airlines Logo
16:25 - 9:25PVG-CPT
23h 00m2 stops
R16 357Singapore Airlines
Find Deal
sön, nov 2 - tors, nov 6
Emirates Logo
18:30 - 21:05CPT-PVG
20h 35m1 stop
Emirates Logo
23:00 - 16:45PVG-CPT
23h 45m1 stop
R18 331Emirates
Find Deal
sön, nov 2 - tors, nov 6
Emirates Logo
18:30 - 15:05CPT-PVG
38h 35m1 stop
Emirates Logo
6:15 - 16:45PVG-CPT
40h 30m1 stop
R18 401Emirates
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Shanghai

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights to Shanghai to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How far in advance should I book a flight to Shanghai?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights to Shanghai, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price, you should book around 6 weeks before departure, which saves you about 20% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 14 weeks before departure.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Shanghai?

Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in Shanghai is Wuxi Airport (WUX), with an average flight price of R1 446.

Good to know – Book Cheap Shanghai Plane Tickets

Cheapest flightR8 355
Flight from OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg to Shanghai Pudong Airport

When to book flights to Shanghai

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Shanghai based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. The information is for flights to Shanghai based on your location. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs - booking Shanghai flights

  • Which Shanghai airport is closest to central Shanghai?

    Out of the 2 airports in Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao Intl is the nearest to the city center (15 km). You'll travel 30 km to reach the center of Shanghai if you land in Shanghai Pudong Airport

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Shanghai?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Shanghai is Wednesday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as R13 842. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, where round-trip prices are R15 330 on average.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Shanghai?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Shanghai.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Shanghai?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Shanghai is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Shanghai?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Shanghai with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Shanghai?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Shanghai up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Shanghai?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Shanghai is generally in the afternoon, when round-trip flights cost R749 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Shanghai is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is R930.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Shanghai

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Shanghai flight deals.

Prefer to fly direct to Shanghai?

 
Nonstop data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying nonstop to Shanghai.
Find which airlines fly direct to Shanghai, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

South Africa to Shanghai

Monday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +86 more

9 Air, ANA, +87 more

Tuesday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Wednesday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +85 more

9 Air, ANA, +86 more

Thursday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Friday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Saturday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +82 more

9 Air, ANA, +83 more

Sunday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +86 more

9 Air, ANA, +87 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Shanghai to South Africa

Monday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +86 more

9 Air, ANA, +87 more

Tuesday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Wednesday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +85 more

9 Air, ANA, +86 more

Thursday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Friday

9 Air, ANA, Aeroflot, +84 more

9 Air, ANA, +85 more

Saturday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +82 more

9 Air, ANA, +83 more

Sunday

9 Air, ANA, Aegean Airlines, +86 more

9 Air, ANA, +87 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Shanghai

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to Shanghai. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from South Africa to Shanghai. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Shanghai? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8,1
EmiratesOverall score based on 3317 reviews
8,1Boarding
8,0Comfort
8,3Crew
8,2Entertainment
7,9Food
Airline reviews

First time and very memorable, the finest flying experience ive ever had

10,0 ExcellentAnonymous, Mar 2025CPT - DXB
Read more Emirates reviews

First time and very memorable, the finest flying experience ive ever had

We arrived in line for check in at 6:15 p.m. but did not check in until 8:00 p.m. The line for economy check in was very long, and all of the desks 03-13 were not open, although most of them opened sporadically. The crew on board were very nice and helpful, friendly and kind. It has been many years since we flew Emirates (at least 17 years), and we notice that foot rests are no longer available in economy, but we were lucky enough to fly in the upper deck and appreciate your opening some of your flights to economy passengers in the upper deck. We will definitely fly on emirates more often! Thank you.

I would never have been able to make the transfer in time without asking for a wheelchair

Good flight overall. Good options of food on NY-Dubai-Mumbai leg. Not that good reversing back. The flight crew is courteous and professional as always. The seating was much more comfortable going into Mumbai than coming back. Cheers!

The plane was clean and well maintained the crew members were professionals and friendly and the food was good

Comfort and customer service from most if the crew was great. The crew reassigning passengers should consider the presence of infants when reassigning seats. Unfortunately a couple of oversized passengers were relocated next to us, making this segment a bit uncomfortable, as there was not only extra leg space required. I ended up swapping seats with my husband so our baby wouldn't be impacted. My husband travelled quite uncomfortable as the reassigned neighbour shoulder and arm ended up on my husband's seat

everything was great. I don't use on-board entertainment at all (I just read or sleep), but I appreciate that I couldn't hear anyone else's!

Loved everything! This flight had premium economy and I didn't see an option to upgraded to premium economy OR buy premium economy tickets. How come?

We was missed the flight They doesn’t lest us fly next flight without payment They charge me 606 hundred dollars What is very unacceptable,our first fight ticket was almost 2000 dollars, again paid 700 it’s hurt … airlines need to do something please

We boarded via a mobile gate in Dubai. I don't care for the bus ride from the gate to the plane

The staff on the plane were attentive and friendly. The frustration with the cabin crew was that we were served second to special diet people. And, we were in economy section. The boarding staff was mediocre. Got scolded for requesting to sit with spouse on 14 hours long flight home. Was told they cannot break up families for us. Didn’t understand how we were denied sitting together as we are husband and wife. After many words of exchange, we were accommodated. Cleaning crew did a horrible job! Bathrooms were unsanitary or dirty from beginning of flight! Didn’t expect sparkling as its economy, but did except decent.

Crew and service excellent. 2 hour delay for takeoff. SQ app showed flight on time.

Food from Surabaya was below average but from Singapore is much better

The usual excellent experience with Singapore Airlines. The airplane was on time and actually early to Haneda Airport. The onboarding experience was pleasant with no delays, perhaps owing to the fact that the flight was not full. Nevertheless, the air crew were their usual outstanding standards in serving the passengers.

Horrendous. We upgraded and they took the money but cancelled one of our tickets. The recline action didn’t work on the seats for the flight from Singapore to London, pre booked meals but they seemed to have disappeared as well.. Phone customer service was horrendous. Took 5 phone calls and no fix. Craig at the airport was the only one who seemed to be able to get the ticket back.

Very good flight from Boarding to landing -efficient and comfortable with decent entertainment options

Excelent service and plenty of food and drinks during the flight. Flight crew very attentive to our needs. Leg room between rows are very disappointing.

The seat in economy class and legroom in Singapore airline are narrower than Korean airlines! I don’t have that comforting feeling flying with Singapore air as in the past!

Loved the airline with the exception of their carry on limitations. They enforce a strict 7 kilo limit for carry on baggage which is ridiculous. We traveled from SFO to SIN with carry on with no difficulty yet when we checked in Delhi they forced us to check the carry on bags. The weight of our carry on bags were 11 and 12 kilos and while they exceeded the limitations set by Singapore Airlines they were well under weight limitations set by may other carriers. Interestingly my wife and I were each allowed two 22 KG bags to check in addition to the 7 kg carry on for a total weight of 102 KG's. Our total weight with the one bag we planned to check and our two carry ons was 46 kgs.

Crew and service was excellent, but passengers should be offered a welcome drink before take off which did not happen. Food was very good. Unfortunately the lie-flat bed in business class was one of the most uncomfortable I have experienced. The configuration forces you to sleep with your legs at an angle instead of in a straight line, plus there is very little padding on the bed so it wasn't possible to sleep for more than 2-3 hours on an 18 hour flight. For what the airlines charges for a business class ticket their hard product leaves a lot to be desired.

There was a flight attendant named Angela who took care of me because I injured my foot badly right before the flight. Because of the service she provided I will always fly Cathay.

I was only given 2 meals, and my screen showed that there were 3 meals. Second meal was 1-2 hours late according to the screen.

The economy seats are incredibly tight. A large percent of the traveling public will not fit. I will not fly Cathay again because of this. You are literally squeezing passengers for profit. The CEO should fly some economy flights.

Paid a premium a have a shorter transit time in Hong Kong, but Cathay pacific rebooked me and ended up waiting for 10 hrs in Hong Hong airport.

Great. Efficient boarding process with the face recognition. Plenty of cabin space for luggage.

Cabin crew is very helpful and nice, it is another level of service compared to Air Canada

They ran out of food and were offering random food to passengers.

The food and service was great. You have to pay a lot for in flight Internet though which is lame.

Special request meals are really below average. Vegetarian options are very limited if you didn't prebook.

Crew was great. But a bit understaffed. The business class seat, etc were dated. But comfortable. Some legs had entertainment system from a decade ago. Selections were rather poor. Food was mediocre at best. Actually poor for business class standards. I liked the lounge in Hong Kong. Showers were great. Food was nice.

My flight was with American Airlines 120. The flight was delayed 3 hours and I missed my connection. When I arrived in Doha, the AA staff told me to call an 800 number to rebook a different flight, which was unacceptable. Eventually a Qatar Air staff member helped rebook me on a flight to Manila, that was 12 hours later. They offered me a hotel and meal voucher which I declined, because I didn’t want to leave the airport. Long story short, I spent 12 hours in the Doha airport waiting for my next flight.

It was excellent in all respects. I don’t think it needs any improvement

I felt that when I was rerouted it should have been to business class.

Terrible experience resolving missed connection after flight was delayed. 3 hour queue at transit desk, not enough staff, no organisation, worst ever flying experience.

Awful plane to Tashkent. Not even possible to sleep. In business class does not even recline fully

I had to stay in the airport 15 even with a hotel reservation..i was refused to inter to qatar cuz the hotel was outside the airport. They could have offered a solution. It was really exhausting for me and my family.

They didn't board by zones and it was a free for all. The 16 hour flight was the most excruciating experience of my life and the seats were TINY... with no leg space and my feet were swollen immediately. The food was so bad it was inedible.

Qatar Airways did a very good job. Flights were slightly delayed with boarding but pilots made up time by arrival. The food was OK, no better or worse than other airlines. Although it would be nice to have three meals during 16 hours flight instead of two.

I recently travelled with Qatar Airways from Doha to Dulles in the QSuite, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The QSuite truly feels like a First-Class experience, with its luxurious design, privacy, and comfort. The cabin crew, especially the lady in charge of the cabin, was remarkable—professional, attentive, and genuinely kind. The food was excellent, and the comfort of the seat was absolutely first-class, making the journey smooth and enjoyable. While the in-flight experience was outstanding, I have a few points of feedback. Firstly, the content available in the in-flight entertainment system could be expanded and upgraded to include a more diverse and updated collection. This would elevate the entertainment experience to match the premium standards of the QSuite. Secondly, regarding the Wi-Fi service: while QSuite passengers receive one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi, any additional usage requires a fee of USD 10. Considering the premium pricing of QSuite, it would be more fitting to include unlimited Wi-Fi as part of the experience, further enhancing the luxury offered to passengers. Lastly, I must highlight an issue with luggage handling. Unfortunately, my luggage did not make it through the transit, which was disappointing. While the ground crew assured me that it would be delivered to my home on the same day as it was arriving on the next flight, this promise was not fulfilled, and the delay added unnecessary inconvenience to an otherwise excellent experience. Overall, the QSuite experience was exceptional, but addressing these areas would further solidify Qatar Airways’ position as a leader in luxury air travel.

No difference between US airline and Qatar. Both cramp as many people. The airline seems to change planes without notice choice is seating when making reservations online doesn’t match the plane a passenger is on. Especially paying extra. Nothing special No different than US carriers.

Good. Crew do seem to be less friendly- management are clearly limiting them or not empowering them as they used to.

POSITIVES The hostesses were mostly pleasant, NEGATIVES The full flight wifi was horrible, hardly able to use it. My charger port was not working which made me use my neighbour's port which resulted in an accident which ruined her flight. During dinner, meat ran out when the cart got to us forcing us to eat vegetarian which was not great. We watched everyone around us eating meat. My wifi did not transfer to the second leg of my trip as they promised as they changed the plane. I was thrown off the window seat I booked for the 2nd leg of my journey as they changed planes, all done at my expense. This was not a cheap flight ($2600) which i hurriedly had to book to attend my mother's funeral who passed away suddenly. I was honestly disappointed with the whole saga as I heard Ethiopian Airlines was one of Africa's best.

Traveling with Ethiopian is always a good experience. I also enjoy the stay at skylight hotel in Addis

The flight is packed and it feels like the space per individual has gotten smaller. Excruciating for a 14hr flight.

It was wonderful best Air lines covert and all very happy with their service they have been very helpful and friendly

Flight was delayed an hour. Also, I bought an extra legroom seat online; but the actually plane was a different configuration so I didn't get what I paid for . This happened on the Addis to Lusaka leg of my trip.

Needs improvement because some of the tvs and charging ports weren’t working

My experience was great. The flight attendants were very helpful and nice, and the food was very good.

Very bad experience flight was over 5 hours delayed 😑 not a chance to be put on another flight we had to stay at the hotel we lost 2 days on our vacation. Never again I will fligh with Ethiopian airlines.

The flight delayef for over 2 hours so my route was changed leading to arriving to my destination without my luggage

Everything you need to know for your flight to Shanghai

Cabin class types available on flights to Shanghai

Cabin classes available on flights to Shanghai. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.

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