Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Irkutsk — $165

The Shanghai — Irkutsk route is served by a wide range of airlines: 9 in total, including S7 Airlines, Air China, China United Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines. Competition among carriers gives passengers the opportunity to find tickets at attractive fares — with prices starting from $165. 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.

Shanghai is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) functions as the primary international hub, handling most long-haul and intercontinental carriers as well as many full-service airlines; fares from PVG can be mid-to-high depending on season. It lies about 30–40 km east of the city center, with Maglev + metro or airport express taking roughly 35–60 minutes (fares typically in the mid-range), plus taxis which take 45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Pudong is convenient for international connections and modern facilities, but travel times and costs to central districts can be higher. Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA) operates mainly as a domestic and regional airport favored by budget and business travelers on short-haul routes; it’s much closer to central Shanghai, about 13–20 km west, and reachable by metro, airport shuttle or taxi in roughly 20–40 minutes (fares generally lower than Pudong). Hongqiao’s compact layout and faster city access can be more convenient for domestic itineraries, though it carries fewer long-haul options and international services.

Irkutsk International Airport (IKT) serves as the main air gateway for Irkutsk and nearby Lake Baikal, functioning as a regional international hub rather than a large intercontinental connector. It typically handles a mix of domestic and seasonal international flights operated by Russian carriers and some low-cost or charter services during peak travel periods. The airport lies about 50–55 km northeast of Irkutsk city center, with road transfers generally taking around 45–70 minutes depending on traffic; shared taxis and private transfers are common, while public buses and airport shuttle options can be cheaper but slower, often costing the local-equivalent of a few dollars. Pros include straightforward layout and proximity to Baikal-bound transport links; cons can be limited onboard amenities and seasonal variations in flight frequency and fares.

The minimum one-way ticket price from Shanghai to Irkutsk is $159 (March 2026), while the maximum is $246 (December 2026). On average, a ticket costs $189–$359.