Compare Cheap Flights to Shanghai

Tips for First-Time Travellers to China on Flights to Shanghai

Prepare your visa application

China requires tourists from most countries to apply for a visa before arrival. Australians can submit their visa application in person or by mail to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. A single-entry tourist visa usually costs $98.50 AUD.

The best time to visit Shanghai

The best time to visit Shanghai is during the short autumn months. From October to November, temperatures cool down, and the summer rains disappear. You'll also get to explore the city's top attractions with fewer crowds. When booking your flights to Shanghai, check to see if your travel dates fall on any public holidays.

Prices for an airfare to Shanghai and hotel rooms skyrocket and the city will be packed. You’ll have better luck finding deals on cheap flights to Shanghai by visiting the city in the quieter winter months of December and March.

The language barrier

Before you board your flights to Shanghai, learn a few key Mandarin phrases. It's also a good idea to write down any dietary requirements you have in the local language and to have your hotel's address in Chinese. It will make getting around and ordering your food much easier.

Use a VPN

The Chinese government blocks social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook as well as WhatsApp. To get around this, you can download a VPN onto your phone or computer before your flights to Shanghai arrive. Just make sure that service provider isn't blocked in China and you're good to go!

Public Transport and How to Get Around

Metro

Shanghai is a busy metropolis, and the streets are often gridlocked with traffic. To get around this, you should stick to using the metro (although it is usually crowded). The best part about using the subway is that the signs, maps and station announcements are in English and Chinese, making it easy to navigate. You can buy a three-day metro card or a rechargeable Public Transportation Card at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) once your flights to Shanghai arrive.

Bus

If it's your first time buying flights to Shanghai, you might find the city's bus system challenging to navigate. Unlike the metro, there aren't English translations, and you'll struggle to find a bus driver that will understand you. If you do decide to use the bus, ask your hotel for help and keep track of your location by using Google Maps so you know when to get off.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient way to get around Shanghai, especially if you’re buying return flights to Shanghai as a family and you have small children. To make sure you're getting into a licensed cab, check for a transparent shield separating the driver and passenger, a meter and a vacancy disk on the dashboard.

Transport from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

One of the cheapest ways to get from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to downtown Shanghai is with the metro. Line two runs directly to the city and a trip the CBD will cost 10 RMB ($2.08 AUD) and take 70 minutes. Other options include taking the Shanghai Maglev train, one of the six buses that service the airport or a taxi. A metered taxi is the most convenient and quickest option. Once your flights to Shanghai land, you can find drivers waiting outside of the terminal building. A one-way trip to Downtown Shanghai will take 60 minutes and cost on average 170 RMB ($35.43 AUD).

Top Things to Do and See

The Bund

The Bund is Shanghai's promenade that runs along the Huangpu River. The promenade is home to delicious restaurants, luxury boutiques, high-end offices and Huangpu Park. It's a popular destination among travellers buying cheap flights to Shanghai and is known for its variety of architectural styles such as Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Renaissance buildings.

Yu Garden

Yu Garden is situated in Shanghai's old town. First laid out in 1559, the gardens sprawl across 20,000 square meters. The oldest part is the Outer Garden and its where you'll find the Sansui Tang building that's known for its dragon-adorned walls and beautiful roof ornaments. People who buy flights to Shanghai and are familiar with China's history will recognize the Hall of Spring in the Yu Garden. It's where the Company of Little Swords ruled the city from 1853 to 1855.

The Jade Buddha Temple

The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most impressive temples in China and one of Shanghai's important Buddhist sites. Pilgrims from around the world book tickets to Shanghai to see the Hall of the Kings of Heaven, and the Hall of the Great Hero, which both house ancient Buddhist artefacts.

Nanjing Road

If you're buying return flights to Shanghai to shop, Nanjing Road deserves a spot at the top of your itinerary. Constructed in the 19th-century, it's a pedestrian-friendly street that's overflowing with shops selling everything from traditional arts and crafts to modern shopping malls and luxury boutiques. You'll also find many restaurants here and it’s a great place to visit to see performances if you're in town for major holidays like Chinese New Year.