Cheap flights from Shanghai to Frankfurt
cheap flights from Shanghai to Frankfurt require a connection since no direct service operates on this route. You will travel through one hub city before reaching Germany, and the journey typically takes between eight and twelve hours depending on your routing. Pudong International or Hongqiao International serve as departure points while Frankfurt International welcomes arrivals closer to the city center.
Prices found on this route
Lowest fare found per airline in recent searches — click to search that date on kissandfly.com
| Airline | Flight | Rating | Date | Price from | Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gulf AirGF | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 21 Dec 2026 | from $382 | Search 21 Dec 2026 |
 China Southern AirlinesCZ | with a stop | ★★★★★ 3.9 | 4 Dec 2026 | from $435 | Search 4 Dec 2026 |
 Air SerbiaJU | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.3 | 17 Jan 2027 | from $438 | Search 17 Jan 2027 |
 Cathay PacificCX | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 4 Dec 2026 | from $456 | Search 4 Dec 2026 |
 Srilankan AirlinesUL | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.4 | 21 Nov 2026 | from $465 | Search 21 Nov 2026 |
 Vietnam AirlinesVN | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.2 | 3 Nov 2026 | from $466 | Search 3 Nov 2026 |
 Turkish AirlinesTK | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 21 Dec 2026 | from $467 | Search 21 Dec 2026 |
 Juneyao AirlinesHO | with a stop | — | 4 Dec 2026 | from $473 | Search 4 Dec 2026 |
 Etihad AirwaysEY | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 21 Dec 2026 | from $481 | Search 21 Dec 2026 |
 Qatar AirwaysQR | with a stop | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 4 Dec 2026 | from $491 | Search 4 Dec 2026 |
Source: fares found by Tickets Travel Network search engines, snapshot of 2 November 2026. Prices are converted to USD at an approximate rate; the exact price is shown on the booking site.
Price by month
Lowest fare found for each month in recent searches. Cheapest month: December — from $382.
| Month | Price from | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | from $459 | 3 Nov 2026 | |
| December 2026 | from $382 | 21 Dec 2026 | |
| January 2027 | from $402 | 17 Jan 2027 | |
| February 2027 | from $407 | 8 Feb 2027 | |
| March 2027 | from $412 | 21 Mar 2027 | |
| April 2027 | from $384 | 11 Apr 2027 | |
| May 2027 | from $1,713 | 16 May 2027 | |
| June 2027 | from $479 | 12 Jun 2027 | |
| July 2027 | from $473 | 14 Jul 2027 | |
| August 2027 | from $464 | 11 Aug 2027 | |
| September 2027 | from $464 | 8 Sept 2027 | |
| October 2027 | from $483 | 9 Oct 2027 |
Airports on this route
Distances are straight-line from the city centre
| City | Airport | To centre |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Pudong International PVG | 34 km |
| Shanghai | Hongqiao International SHA | 12 km |
| Frankfurt | Frankfurt International FRA | 13 km |
| Frankfurt | Hahn Airport HHN | 103 km |
Route on the map
When to fly
December and January represent the peak travel period when prices rise sharply around holiday seasons. Spring months bring moderate fares before summer demand increases in June through August. February stands as the cheapest month on this route with consistently lower prices throughout the season. Book approximately six weeks ahead for weekday departures to secure better rates than weekend options.
Airlines and what to expect
Every carrier operating this route provides full-service connections through their respective hubs without budget alternatives available on Shanghai to Frankfurt. Gulf Air routes via Bahrain while Turkish Airlines connects through Istanbul offering extensive networks. Emirates and Etihad Airways provide premium service with Dubai and Abu Dhabi as transit points respectively. Qatar Airways flies through Doha, Finnair uses Helsinki, and Cathay Pacific operates from Hong Kong. Air India and Srilankan Airlines add options via Mumbai and Colombo, while Juneyao Airlines offers connections through Shanghai's domestic network.
Arriving — Frankfurt
Frankfurt International sits just twenty kilometers from the city center with regular S-Bahn trains running every few minutes to Hauptbahnhof station. Hahn Airport requires a longer transfer of roughly one hundred thirty kilometers, reachable by shuttle bus or car rental taking approximately ninety minutes. Most travelers prefer Frankfurt International for convenience and direct rail connections into downtown hotels and business districts.
Before you go: Germany
- Currency
- EUR (€)
- Power sockets
- Type C, F · 230 V
- Language
- German
- Emergency number
- 112, 110
- Driving side
- right
- Calling code
- +49
- Internet domain
- .de
- EU / Schengen
- EU member, Schengen area
- Population of Frankfurt
- 761 k (2025)
- Time zone
- UTC+01 (Europe/Berlin)
Country facts: Wikidata
Check before you book
- Choose your departure airport carefully since Pudong and Hongqiao are located far apart in Shanghai
- Verify baggage allowance rules apply equally on all connecting segments of your journey
- Confirm visa requirements for Germany before booking tickets from any carrier
- Check connection times exceed minimum transfer periods between flights
- Consider travel dates outside peak holiday seasons to reduce overall costs
Frequently asked questions
Shanghai – Frankfurt: when is it cheapest to fly?
The lowest price in recent searches was found for December 2026 — $382. Prices change daily; check the live price in the search.
Shanghai – Frankfurt: which airlines fly this route?
Airlines with offers on this route: Gulf Air, China Southern Airlines, Air Serbia, Cathay Pacific, Srilankan Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
Shanghai – Frankfurt: are there direct flights?
Only connecting flights were available in recent searches.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Frankfurt?
The distance is about 8,820 km, so a non-stop flight takes roughly 11 h 12 min. Only connecting flights were found recently; a stop adds a few hours.
Which airports serve Shanghai – Frankfurt?
Shanghai: Pudong International (PVG), Hongqiao International (SHA). Frankfurt: Frankfurt International (FRA), Hahn Airport (HHN).
What is the time difference between Shanghai and Frankfurt?
Frankfurt is 7 h behind Shanghai.