Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Shymkent — $251

The Shanghai — Shymkent route is served by a wide range of airlines: 7 in total, including SCAT, Spring Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, AirAsia X, and Air Astana. Competition among carriers gives passengers the opportunity to find tickets at attractive fares — with prices starting from $251. 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.

The only airline operating direct flights from Shanghai to Shymkent is SCAT. Flights operate on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.

Shanghai is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the city’s primary international hub, handling most long-haul and intercontinental flights and hosting full-service carriers alongside international alliances; fares to/from PVG can be mid-to-high depending on season. It lies about 30–45 km east of downtown, with transit options including the Maglev plus metro Line 2 (roughly 30–60 minutes) and airport express buses or taxis (45–70 minutes; fares vary, taxis add tolls). Pros: extensive international connections and airline services; cons: distance and potentially longer transfer times. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) functions mainly as a domestic and regional gateway, favored by budget and business travelers on short-haul routes and by several Chinese carriers. Located much closer to the city center (around 13–20 km west), it’s reachable by metro Line 10/17 or airport maglev-like shuttle (about 20–40 minutes) and by taxi (20–35 minutes; usually cheaper than PVG). Pros: convenience and shorter transfers; cons: fewer long-haul options and sometimes higher domestic fares during peak times.

Shymkent International Airport (HSG) serves as the main air gateway for southern Kazakhstan and typically handles a mix of domestic flights and regional international routes, functioning more as a growing regional hub than a large global connector. Airlines operating here are usually national carriers and several low-cost or regional operators, so fares can feel moderate compared with major Eurasian hubs. The airport lies roughly 15–20 km northeast of downtown Shymkent; travel to the city center typically takes about 20–35 minutes by taxi or private transfer (fares commonly fall in a modest local range), while limited bus services can be cheaper but slower. The facility is generally convenient for quick access to the city, though services and transfer options can be more basic than at larger international airports, so passengers seeking wider route choices or premium amenities may need to connect via bigger hubs.

The minimum one-way ticket price from Shanghai to Shymkent is $262 (October 2026), while the maximum is $444 (April 2027). On average, a ticket costs $274–$307.