Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai and you'll be travelling for an average of 11 hours 15 minutes.
Shanghai is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Shanghai observes the UTC+8 timezone.
With 13 flights a week between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. China Eastern Airlines operates the earliest flight at 12:00. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last flight from SFO to PVG is with United Airlines at 15:20.
To avoid missing your SFO to Shanghai flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Start your trip at SFO and travel straight to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai tickets.
Book your seat with United Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even visit a new city. When browsing for flight tickets from SFO to Shanghai, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Located around 18 kilometres from the centre of San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. The journey on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
In search of a hotel close to SFO? If you've booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai, these accommodation options put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
77.36% of flights that depart San Francisco International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Shanghai
ج.م. 18,027 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai flight. A round-trip ticket right now is ج.م. 32,764. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
Get cheap flights from SFO to Shanghai by booking five months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
The best month for finding cheap San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai tickets is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SFO to Shanghai.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 56 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Venture beyond Shanghai and check out places that usually fly under the radar with your own wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Give yourself a better shot at securing the best possible rate by booking early. Reserving your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from SFO to Shanghai is a good move.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've disembarked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your SFO to Shanghai flight:
Why let someone else's timetable dictate your plans? Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and steer your own course. Book a set of wheels here with Hertz.
Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's available, by booking your ride from SHA in advance. You'll also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially when demand is high.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
Before scheduling your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Shanghai offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty to do, while the low season means you'll get cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.
Book a San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 23ºC to 34ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from SFO to Shanghai around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Shanghai:
Yu Garden and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are a couple of leading attractions to put on your Shanghai to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Shanghai Tower.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres away to the west, its top attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake.
Puyang is another standout destination in China and is around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without a visit to Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.
