Cheap Flights from Beijing to Shanghai — $79

The Beijing — Shanghai route is served by a wide range of airlines: 11 in total, including Air China, Juneyao Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China United Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Yangtze River Express, Hong Kong Express Airways, and Korean Air. Competition among carriers gives passengers the opportunity to find tickets at attractive fares — with prices starting from $79. Our service helps compare all available offers within seconds and choose the most convenient option. You can filter flights by price, departure time, or baggage rules to make your trip as comfortable as possible. With so many airlines, there’s always a chance to catch special promotions and save.

Beijing is served primarily by two airports with distinct roles. Beijing Capital International (PEK) is the long-established international hub connecting China to Europe, North America and much of Asia; it typically handles full-service carriers and can be pricier on international routes. Beijing Daxing International (PKX), opened recently, functions as a modern extra-hub designed to relieve capacity and often hosts a mix of full-service and budget international/domestic flights. Both sit roughly 30–50 km from central Beijing depending on the terminal; travel times are commonly 30–60 minutes by express train or 45–90 minutes by car, with fares typically ranging from modest rail fares to higher taxi/ride-share costs. Airport express trains and high-speed intercity links are usually the fastest and most reliable options, while buses and taxis can be cheaper but slower in peak traffic. Pros: good rail connectivity and frequent international services. Cons: long transfer distances and occasional congestion between the two airports can complicate tight connections.

Shanghai is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Pudong International (PVG) is the city’s primary international gateway and a major long-haul hub, typically handling most intercontinental carriers and full-service airlines; fares from PVG can be mid-to-high depending on route and season. It lies about 30–40 km east of central Shanghai, with travel options including the maglev (about 8 minutes to Longyang Road plus onward metro connections), metro Line 2 (roughly 45–60 minutes), airport express buses and taxis (45–60 minutes, fares varying by route). PVG is usually modern and well-equipped for transits but can be busy and spread out, which may mean longer transfer walks. Hongqiao International (SHA) functions mainly as the city’s domestic and regional airport and is often preferred for short-haul flights and some regional international services. Located much closer to downtown—roughly 13 km west of central Shanghai—Hongqiao is typically more convenient for business travelers and domestic transfers. It’s well connected by Hongqiao Railway Station, metro Lines 2 and 10 (about 20–30 minutes to downtown), shuttle buses and taxis; short transfer times can make it feel cheaper and quicker overall, though it may be more constrained in space and amenities compared with the larger PVG.

The minimum one-way ticket price from Beijing to Shanghai is $78 (September 2026), while the maximum is $221 (August 2027). On average, a ticket costs $169–$198.