Cheap flights from Manchester to Shanghai

Shanghai has cold winters with short days and hot humid summers. April brings mild temperatures and longer evenings before the peak travel period begins. Booking a month ahead usually works well for spring departures. Avoid school holidays if you want lower fares, and try midweek departures when demand is lighter.

Hainan Airlines and Air China operate direct flights between Manchester and Shanghai with checked baggage included in most fares. Finnair, Swiss and Lufthansa provide one-stop connections through their northern European hubs with standard full-service inclusions. Gulf Air, Etihad Airways and Bangkok Airways route passengers via the Middle East or Southeast Asia on longer journeys. Juneyao Airlines offers services from China with different fare structures. Helvetic Airways appears less frequently on this corridor.

Before you land arrange ground transport since Pudong International sits about forty kilometres east of central Shanghai while Hongqiao International lies closer at roughly fifteen kilometres west. Both airports have metro lines running into the city centre with regular service until late evening. Taxis and ride services wait outside arrivals, though traffic can slow progress during rush hours. Keep your passport accessible for any checks.

Currency

CNY (¥)

Power sockets

Type A, C, I · 220 V

Language

Putonghua

Emergency number

110, 119, 120

Driving side

right

Calling code

+86

Internet domain

.cn, .中国

Population of Shanghai

24.9 M (2020)

Time zone

UTC+08 (Asia/Shanghai)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check if baggage fees apply on carriers not offering full-service fares.
• Confirm which of Shanghai's two airports your ticket uses before arrival.
• Book connecting flights under one reservation to avoid missing links.
• Verify visa requirements for China well before your departure date.
• Consider that summer brings higher humidity and more tourist activity.
• Look at April if you want mild weather alongside lower prices.