Cheap Flights from Cairns to Shanghai

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Flight deals from Cairns to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns to Shanghai? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cairns to Shanghai flights are currently cheapest in July.

Alternative Cairns to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Cairns to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Cairns to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundج.م.‏ 15,508
Cheapest month to flyJuly

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Shanghai: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.
The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Shanghai is ج.م.‏ 35,085. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from Cairns to Shanghai. But we found flights with one or more stops from ج.م.‏ 35,085.
As of May 2025, there are no flights flying from Cairns to Shanghai.
The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Shanghai is usually May 2025.
If you're flying from Cairns Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Pudong – which is 32.7 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from ج.م.‏ 35,085.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Shanghai on Monday, 2 March 2026.
No airlines currently offer direct flights between Cairns Airport and Shanghai. Most routes have one or more stops.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shanghai but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In May, the average temperature is usually around 19°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.
Currently, Virgin Australia offers the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Flying from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • Cairns Airport is located in Cairns. Following the UTC+8 timezone, Shanghai is two hours behind Cairns.

  • For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your CNS to Shanghai flight.

  • Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.

  • Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even tick a new city off your list. When searching for flight tickets from CNS to Shanghai, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:

    • Haneda Airport (HND)

    • Narita International Airport (NRT)

    • Kansai International Airport (KIX)

  • Located around 5 kilometres from central Cairns, CNS can be reached in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.

  • Have an early flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to CNS:

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of Cairns Airport, data shows 71.55% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.

How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai

  • ج.م.‏ 15,508 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Shanghai flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is ج.م.‏ 35,085. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.

  • To find cheap flights from CNS to Shanghai, book as early as you can. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets are first released.

  • Scoring cheap tickets from Cairns Airport to Shanghai is easier if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' function to get the best prices across every month and land a fantastic deal.

  • There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from CNS to Shanghai.

  • Find an affordable flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. Following your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • Following your CNS to Shanghai flight, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:

  • Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and unlock more experiences with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from arrivals, so you can drive off without missing a beat.

  • Generally, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Reserve your ride from SHA as soon as you know your dates.

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

  • Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai. The city comes alive during peak season, but prices are typically higher and attractions can be busy. Go to Shanghai in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.

  • The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your Cairns Airport to Shanghai flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.

  • If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CNS to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored after you've experienced Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres away to the west, its best attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake.

  • Puyang is another favourite destination in China and is around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without seeing Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.