Flights from Sydney to Shanghai

Compare Cheap Sydney to Shanghai Flights

A global financial centre that blends modern innovation with old world charm, Shanghai is the destination of choice for globetrotters and business travellers alike. As the largest city in China and second most populated city worldwide, there’s a lot to see and do in Shanghai. Shoppers can find designer goods in trendy boutique districts or search for a bargain at outdoor markets selling fabric, antiques, souvenirs and more. Art and history have their pick of contemporary and galleries, museums, plus opera performances and acrobatic shows. There’s also ancient gardens and temples for exploration and quiet contemplation.

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The best time to visit Shanghai

Shanghai is best visited in the shoulder seasons. Summer is hot, humid and subject to frequent heavy rainfalls. Winter is prone to painfully cold northern winds. Spring is mild but it’s also one of the busiest tourist seasons in the city and attracts a lot of conventions and business meetings, driving up flight and hotel prices. For cheap flights to Shanghai, consider visiting in late October or early November. Tourism drops but the weather is still comfortable. National holidays may also affect travel plans. Anyone intending to visit Shanghai in late January or February may want to keep Chinese New Year in mind. Also known as the Spring Festival, this national holiday often stretches over seven days and tends to include a lot of domestic travel as families gather together to celebrate. National Day on October 1 is also a week-long holiday with many closures for businesses, shopping and tourist attractions.

Departing From Sydney

Travellers going from Sydney to Shanghai can choose from two airports. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the main international airport. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) operates domestic flights and some short-haul international flights. Travellers may fly from SYD to PVG with service from Air Asia, Sichuan Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Hainan Airlines, among others. Nonstop flights get there in a little more than 10 hours. Alternatively, one-stop and two-stop flights are available from SYD to SHA on China Southern Airlines, Hongkong Airlines, XiamenAir, Cathay Pacific, and more. One-stop flights to SHA can get there in less than 14 hours.

Getting to Sydney Airport

There are several ways to reach Sydney Airport (SYD) for your flight to Santiago. The airport is conveniently located just 8 kilometres from Sydney's CBD and can be accessed by car, bus or train. You can drive yourself to Sydney Airport and park in one of the parking spaces (see below), or book a taxi or Uber. The journey from the CBD is traffic dependant, but expect to spend about 25 minutes in the car if traffic is light. Budget up to $55 AUD for one-way trip if you're catching a taxi or Uber. Those wanting to make use of public transport links can hail a service on the T8 Airport & South bus line, which runs between Central Station to the aiport terminal. This a budget-friendly option as the one-way fare is just $5.80 AUD. An alternative transit option is Airport Link train. There are direct services to the airport departing from Central, Museum, St James, Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall stations. Single fares cost $18.70 AUD or Opal cards may be used.

Parking at Sydney Airport

Thinking of driving to Sydney Airport and leaving your car there while on holiday in Santiago? You have three parking options to choose from, and some can be booked online and in advance to save you even more money. 

Where to Park at Sydney Airport

No matter if you're heading to Santiago on a whirlwind holiday or for a more extended trip, there are parking options at Sydney Airport to suit.

• P7: This space is located closest to the check-in desks, coming in at a five-minute walk from the International Terminal. Rates for parking in P7 are $61 AUD per day.
• Park on King: The farthest option, this lot is also unofficial and requires shuttle service. The cost is $117 AUD per week.
• Park & Fly: This site is operated by a third-party and is situated next to the airport. Travellers can reach SYD terminal thanks to a free shuttle service. Parking rates are $177 AUD per week.

Arriving in Shanghai

Whether you’re going from SYD to PVG or SYD to SHA, it’s easy to get from the airport to your final destination. Pudong Airport is located 40 kilometres from the city centre and Hongqiao Airport is located just 13 kilometres from city centre.

How to Get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Your Shanghai Hotel or Accommodation

Pudong Airport is serviced by the Maglev Train, the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation train in the world. Travellers can connect from the airport to Longyang Road Metro Station. The train departs every 15 minutes and travel time is less than 25 minutes. A single trip ticket is 40 yuan ($8.02 AUD) if you present your same-day airline ticket. Shanghai’s subway system, known as the Metro, also runs from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road, Lujiazui, and People's Square. Travel on the subway to city centre takes about an hour. Buses and taxis are also available.

How to Get from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Your Shanghai Hotel or Accommodation

Travel by subway, bus or taxi out of Hongqiao Airport. The Metro subway departs from Hongqiao Railway Station, making stops along the way to New Jiangwan Town. Other areas are accessible via Metro with transfer. A one-day metro pass is 18 yuan ($3.61 AUD). Buses run from the Hongqiao Traffic Hub East Centre and Airport Terminal 1 to various Shanghai destinations. Fares depend on distance but can be as little as 2 yuan ($0.40 AUD).

Things to do in Shanghai

Shanghai is a bustling modern metropolis considered the hub of finance and trade in China, but the city has much more to see than its state-of-the-art skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world. Despite its futuristic skyline, Shanghai has retained a European vibe in some areas, most notably in The Bund. A promenade along the Huangpujiang River, The Bund is lined with historic buildings in architecture styles like Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance that have since transformed into shops, restaurants and offices. For a more serene experience, visitors can explore Huangpu Park, China’s oldest public park, or Yu Garden, the largest ancient garden in Shanghai. Art, history and culture can also be found at Shanghai Museum, which holds an expansive collection of Chinese artefacts, and the China Art Museum, the largest art museum in Asia.