Flying from Toronto to Shanghai: what you need to know
Planning your flight from Toronto to Shanghai begins with finding the right airport to start your trip. Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) are the main terminals in Toronto.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's chief entry points.
Hop on a direct Toronto to Shanghai flight and you'll be traveling for an average of 14 hours 40 minutes.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Shanghai 12 hours ahead of Toronto.
The busiest route for flights from Toronto to Shanghai is from Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). You can choose from four weekly services between these two airports. If you want to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from YYZ to PVG is the 15:25 China Eastern Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 16:25 with China Eastern Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Toronto to Shanghai flight.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Shanghai
To snag cheap Toronto to Shanghai flights, book your journey two months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Toronto to Shanghai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Toronto to Shanghai.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Toronto to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Toronto to Shanghai, you can depart from Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Fly from YYZ to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in one seamless journey.
Be on the lookout for promotions with China Eastern Airlines. This airline offers direct Toronto to Shanghai plane tickets from YYZ.
The journey from central Toronto to YYZ takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a convenient hotel near Pearson International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Toronto to Shanghai, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Pearson International Airport, 63.97% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
You can reach YTZ from central Toronto in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport takes roughly 40 minutes to travel the 3 kilometers or so.
You're off on vacation, so why not enjoy an additional night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport the day before your flight from Toronto to Shanghai:
62.09% of flights out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
The journey time to YKF from the center of Toronto is around 4 hours 5 minutes on public transport. If you're planning to travel by car, it'll take you about 1 hour 15 minutes to cover the 80 kilometers or so.
Make taking an early Toronto to Shanghai flight the easiest part of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels near Region of Waterloo International Airport and get to your check-in counter with plenty of time to spare:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights land without delays. At YKF, that figure is 63.64%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometers from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Toronto to Shanghai. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and discover parts of Shanghai that aren't on a typical itinerary. Check out the deals from Hertz.
To lock in the lowest rate, reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Prices usually increase closer to your departure date.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 13 kilometers from the center of Shanghai. After your flight from Toronto to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Toronto to Shanghai:
Line up some great tunes and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Hertz and start exploring right away.
Typically, the earlier you book, the better the deals and choice of vehicles. Lock in your ride from SHA as soon as you've confirmed your plans.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Toronto to Shanghai. April is the busiest month to visit Shanghai. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book your Toronto to Shanghai ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like traveling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Toronto to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Shanghai right here. Browse these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Toronto to Shanghai:
All great vacations should include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are must-do's during your Shanghai adventure.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of China just waiting to be explored. Around 274 kilometers west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep your itinerary busy. Don't miss top attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another essential stop in China and is around 80 kilometers west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without dropping by Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.