Traveling from Tokyo to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Tokyo. Check out your options departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) when reserving your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai.
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the primary gateways.
The average time for a direct Tokyo to Shanghai flight is 3 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is one hour behind Tokyo.
The busiest route for flights from Tokyo to Shanghai is from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). You can select from 62 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from HND to PVG is the 00:05 Juneyao Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the final scheduled service is at 22:40 with ANA.
Leave plenty of time to catch your Tokyo to Shanghai flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as April, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tokyo to Shanghai
To pick up cheap Tokyo to Shanghai flights, book as early as you can. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Tokyo to Shanghai across every month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Tokyo to Shanghai.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Tokyo to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Tokyo
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
You can book a direct flight from Tokyo to Shanghai departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). Start your trip at HND and then touch down at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
There are plenty of airlines that offer direct Tokyo to Shanghai plane tickets out of HND. Let one of these carriers take you there:
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Tokyo to Shanghai flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Tokyo Haneda Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
The journey from central Tokyo to HND takes about 30 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 16 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Tokyo to Shanghai? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Tokyo Haneda Airport:
Of the departures from Tokyo Haneda Airport, 77% touch down on time at their destination.
HND's address is 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Consider booking your direct flight from Tokyo to Shanghai departing Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). Nonstop services from NRT will take you to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).
There are multiple airlines that offer direct Tokyo to Shanghai plane tickets. Compare your options below to find the best fit for your departure from NRT:
Break up your Tokyo to Shanghai flight with a stop so you can recharge or tick another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Tokyo Narita Airport and Shanghai are:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Qingdao Airport (TAO)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
NRT is about 64 kilometers from central Tokyo. It'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai? Kick back in a hotel near Tokyo Narita Airport before your vacation officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
73% of flights leaving Tokyo Narita Airport arrive according to schedule.
The street address for NRT is 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometers from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 1 hour 5 minutes.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there when traveling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near PVG if you have a late flight from Tokyo to Shanghai. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car and discover parts of Shanghai that most visitors tend to miss. Find your ideal set of wheels with Hertz.
To lock in the best rate, book your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport several weeks in advance. Prices usually increase closer to your travel date.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometers from the center of Shanghai. Following your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai, it takes approximately 30 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 40 minutes or so.
After your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai, settle in at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Line up some great tunes and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hertz and drive off without missing a beat.
Avoid the long lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from SHA a few weeks in advance so you can just collect the keys and drive away.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport can be found at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai. April is the most popular month for a trip to Shanghai. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book 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 (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Shanghai right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from Tokyo to Shanghai:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are attractions you won't want to skip in Shanghai.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Shanghai. Around 274 kilometers to the west, popular attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
If there's time to check out another well-known destination in China, consider Suzhou, about 80 kilometers west of Shanghai. Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road are among the biggest draws.