Cheap Flights from Tehran to Shanghai — $517

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The only airline operating direct flights from Tehran to Shanghai is Mahan Airlines. Flights operate every day except Saturday.

The route Tehran — Shanghai is served by a single airline — Mahan Airlines. This means that when planning your trip, you won’t need to spend time choosing between dozens of carriers: all flights are operated by one provider, which simplifies the booking process. Despite the limited choice, passengers can still plan ahead, select optimal departure dates, and buy tickets at the lowest price — from $517. Using our service, you can quickly compare available Mahan Airlines flights and book a seat in advance at a favorable rate.

Tehran is served mainly by two airports with distinct roles. Imam Khomeini International (IKA) functions as the primary international hub for long-haul and many scheduled foreign carriers, while Mehrabad (THR) typically handles most domestic and some regional flights for Iran’s local airlines. IKA sits roughly 45–60 km southwest of central Tehran; travel times can be 40–90 minutes by car depending on traffic, with taxis and airport shuttles being common options and fares usually higher than city transit. Mehrabad lies much closer, around 8–15 km west of downtown, reachable in 20–45 minutes by taxi or bus at lower cost. Pros: IKA offers newer facilities and international connections; Mehrabad can be quicker for domestic trips. Cons: both can be affected by heavy traffic and occasional delays, so extra time is often advisable.

Shanghai is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) is the international gateway and a major long-haul hub, typically handling most intercontinental flights and full-service carriers; it generally feels more premium and can be farther from downtown (about 45–60 km). Fast options to the city include the Maglev + metro (35–50 minutes) or the airport express train and taxis (45–60 minutes); expect fares to range from moderate for public rail to higher for taxis or ride-hailing. Pros: extensive international connections and modern facilities; cons: longer transfer times and occasional congestion. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) primarily serves domestic and regional routes and budget carriers, sitting much closer to the city center (roughly 13 km). It’s convenient for domestic transfers and often cheaper to reach by metro (20–30 minutes) or taxi (25–40 minutes), with lower public-transport fares and modest taxi costs. Pros: proximity and easy intermodal links to Hongqiao railway station; cons: fewer long-haul options and more limited evening services.