Flying from New York to Shanghai: what you need to know
When looking for a flight from New York to Shanghai, there's a good range of airports you can take off from. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are among New York's main options.
Arrive in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
A direct flight from New York to Shanghai takes an average of 14 hours 59 minutes. The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, making it 12 hours ahead of New York.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 7 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from New York to Shanghai is with United Airlines at 10:45. Opt for the first EWR to PVG departure operated by United Airlines at 10:45 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you get on your flight from New York to Shanghai, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying over a peak time such as August? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you hold a passport from United States, you'll need an embassy visa to visit China. This applies when booking a cheap flight from New York to Shanghai for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you make travel plans and definitely before flying.
Flying from New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
If you're searching for a direct flight from New York to Shanghai, you can leave from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Fly from EWR to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) without making any stops.
United Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from New York to Shanghai departing from EWR.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for flights from New York to Shanghai departing from Newark Liberty International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
The journey from central New York to EWR takes approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 24 kilometres in 28 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a convenient hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from New York to Shanghai, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
It's also possible to take a direct flight from New York to Shanghai out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Nonstop services from JFK will take you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Take a direct flight from New York to Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines. This is one of the leading carriers operating this route out of JFK.
Split up your flight from New York to Shanghai with a stop so you can recharge or tick another place off your list. Some top stopovers between Newark Liberty International Airport and Shanghai include:
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
JFK is around 48 kilometres from central New York. It'll take you 48 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away from home? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near John F. Kennedy International Airport the day before your flight from New York to Shanghai:
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes around 49 minutes by car. It's approximately 56 kilometres away.
Consider booking a hotel close to PVG if you have a late flight from New York to Shanghai. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from New York to Shanghai has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 21 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
You'll find some comfortable stays ready to welcome you near SHA. Settle in after your flight from New York to Shanghai at any of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Shanghai
At the moment, ج.م. 24,311 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from New York to Shanghai. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 50,053. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 1 month before you want to travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from New York to Shanghai.
Plan your trip for September. That's the cheapest month for flight tickets from New York to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap ticket from New York to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from New York to Shanghai, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Shanghai
July is the most popular month for flights from New York to Shanghai. To avoid the crowds, head to Shanghai in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with the temperature ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your flights from New York to Shanghai in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Look for cheap tickets from New York to Shanghai around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from New York to Shanghai, check out our range of hotels including:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from New York to Shanghai isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Shanghai and travel at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.