Flying from Tokyo to Shanghai: what you need to know
Tokyo is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Tokyo to Shanghai departing from Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT).
Hop off your plane in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Around 3 hours 25 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Tokyo to Shanghai flight.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is one hour behind Tokyo.
With 63 flights a week between the two airports, Haneda Airport (HND) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Tokyo to Shanghai with Juneyao Airlines at 00:05. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest flight from HND to PVG is with ANA at 22:40.
To ensure you don't miss your Tokyo to Shanghai flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
You can expect longer queues in popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tokyo to Shanghai
At the moment, ج.م. 4,714 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Shanghai. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 11,366. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap Tokyo to Shanghai flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for picking up a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Tokyo to Shanghai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Tokyo to Shanghai.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Tokyo to Shanghai flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
Set off from Haneda Airport (HND) and fly straight through to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). If you're searching for a direct flight from Tokyo to Shanghai out of HND, that's where your journey can take you.
These are some of the top airlines offering direct Tokyo to Shanghai plane tickets from HND:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Tokyo to Shanghai flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Haneda Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
To get to HND from central Tokyo, it'll take around 15 minutes if you're going by car. It's roughly 14 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Catching an early flight from Tokyo to Shanghai? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Haneda Airport:
73.52% of flights leaving from Haneda Airport reach their destination on time.
HND's address is 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Consider booking your direct flight from Tokyo to Shanghai out of Narita International Airport (NRT). Nonstop services from NRT will get you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
When departing from NRT, you can choose from a good range of airlines that fly nonstop to your destination. Book a direct Tokyo to Shanghai plane ticket with one of these options:
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Tokyo to Shanghai flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever your plans, check out these options between Narita International Airport and Shanghai:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Driving from central Tokyo to NRT usually takes 1 hour, depending on traffic. It's around 64 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai, unwind in one of these hotels close to Narita International Airport:
Narita International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 70%. This figure provides insight into how often flights departing from this airport land on time.
NRT is located at 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
It typically takes 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Tokyo to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Venture beyond Shanghai and discover places that aren't found in every travel guide with your own set of wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Improve your chances of scoring the best possible rate by booking as early as possible. Reserving your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead is a good idea.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is around 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
After your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SHA. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, so you can drive off without missing a beat.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's left over, by booking your ride from SHA ahead of your arrival. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during peak travel times.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai. April is the most popular month for a trip to Shanghai. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Lock in your Tokyo to Shanghai ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Look for cheap flights from Tokyo to Shanghai in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-visits when exploring Shanghai.
Explore more of China
You've seen Shanghai, now it's time to discover more of China. Travel around 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to check off its leading sights. From Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum to Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Suzhou is another well-known destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without seeing Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.