About flights from Shanghai (PVG)
Pudong is one of those airports that actually makes you feel like you're at the center of something. A 95/99 reach score isn't just a number — it means when you're standing at a gate here, you've got real options. Direct flights to 237 destinations across 48 countries, ranging from a quick 150km hop to Ningbo all the way to a 11,873km haul to JFK. The scale is genuinely impressive. Whether you're routing through on a layover or making Shanghai your actual destination, PVG moves you efficiently and far.
Quick stats for PVG
- Direct destinations: 237
- Countries served: 48
- Continents reached: 5 of 6
- Average flight distance: 3,060 km
- Longest non-stop: New York (JFK) — 11,873 km (~14h 50m)
- Shortest non-stop: Ningbo (NGB) — 150 km (~11 min)
- Reach score: 95/99
Why fly to Shanghai?
Nine direct routes to Japan alone tells you something about the cultural gravity pulling between these two countries. The Shanghai-Tokyo corridor is one of the busiest in Asia — businesspeople, tourists, expats — everyone's moving on it constantly. For nomads, the US connectivity matters too: six routes including that New York run means you're not stuck hunting for connections through Seoul or Tokyo when you need to get transatlantic. Russia's 8 routes are worth noting if you're plotting an overland adventure westward. Domestically, China's 140 routes make PVG an unbeatable hub for exploring the country — smaller cities, coastal towns, interior provinces you'd otherwise spend hours reaching by train. The access here is genuinely hard to beat.
Longest non-stop flights from PVG
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Shanghai:
- New York, USA (JFK) — 11,873 km, approximately 14h 50m
- Dallas, USA (DFW) — 11,808 km, approximately 14h 46m
- Detroit, USA (DTW) — 11,462 km, approximately 14h 20m
- Toronto, Canada (YYZ) — 11,414 km, approximately 14h 16m
- Los Angeles, USA (LAX) — 10,415 km, approximately 13h 1m
Short-haul flights from PVG
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Shanghai:
- Ningbo, China (NGB) — 150 km, approximately 11 min
- Hangzhou, China (HGH) — 166 km, approximately 12 min
- Yiwu, China (YIW) — 263 km, approximately 20 min
- Nanjing, China (NKG) — 286 km, approximately 21 min
- Lishui, China (LIJ) — 362 km, approximately 27 min
Top countries by direct connections from PVG
Shanghai Pudong International Airport connects to 48 countries. Here are the most served:
- China — 140 destinations (Altay, An Yang, Ankang, Anshan and 136 more)
- Japan — 9 destinations (Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa and 5 more)
- Russia — 8 destinations (Irkutsk, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Krasnojarsk and 4 more)
- USA — 6 destinations (Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and 2 more)
- Republic of Korea — 5 destinations (Busan, Cheongju, Daegu, Jeju and 1 more)
- Australia — 4 destinations (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney)
- Thailand — 4 destinations (Bangkok, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket)
- Viet Nam — 3 destinations (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc)
Where to fly from Shanghai
Flights to China
Shanghai has 140 direct routes to China:
- Ningbo (NGB) — 150 km
- Hangzhou (HGH) — 166 km
- Yiwu (YIW) — 263 km
- Nanjing (NKG) — 286 km
- Lishui (LIJ) — 362 km
- Wenzhou (WNZ) — 371 km
- ...and 134 more destinations
Flights to Japan
Shanghai has 9 direct routes to Japan:
- Okinawa (OKA) — 791 km
- Fukuoka (FUK) — 855 km
- Hiroshima (HIJ) — 1,101 km
- Osaka (KIX) — 1,307 km
- Nagoya (NGO) — 1,457 km
- Tokyo (HND) — 1,737 km
- ...and 3 more destinations
Flights to Russia
Shanghai has 8 direct routes to Russia:
- Vladivostok (VVO) — 1,639 km
- Khabarovsk (KHV) — 2,237 km
- Irkutsk (IKT) — 2,744 km
- Krasnojarsk (KJA) — 3,595 km
- Novosibirsk (OVB) — 4,053 km
- Kazan (KZN) — 6,127 km
- ...and 2 more destinations
Tips for travelers at PVG
The Maglev train from Pudong to Longyang Road station runs in about 8 minutes and hits 430km/h — it's the fastest way into the city and honestly worth doing once just for the experience. From Longyang you can connect to the metro. Budget at least 90 minutes before your flight for international departures; immigration queues move but they don't rush. If you're visiting on a visa-free transit (China offers 144-hour and 72-hour options for many nationalities), plan your layover around that window carefully. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for weather. Summer is humid and heavy — not unbearable, but pack accordingly.
Airlines operating from PVG
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
3U, 5J, 6E, 7C, 8L, 9C, AA, AC, AF, AI, AK, AQ, AY, B7, BA, BK, BR, CA, CI, CX, CZ, D7, DL, DV, EK, ET, EU, EY, FM, GA, GF, GJ, GK, GS, HO, HU, HX, IJ, JD, JL, JU, KC, KE, KL, KN, KY, LH, LJ, LX, MF, MH, MM, MS, MU, NH, NS, NX, NZ, OD, OM, OQ, OS, OZ, PN, PR, QR, S7, SC, SL, SQ, SU, TG, TK, UA, UQ, VJ, VN, VZ, W5, XJ, Y8, ZE, ZH
Frequently asked questions about flying to Shanghai
What's the best way to get from Pudong Airport to downtown Shanghai?
The Maglev train is the fastest option at just 8 minutes to Longyang Road station, though it costs about 50 RMB; alternatively, take the Airport Metro Line 2 for around 8 RMB, which takes about 30 minutes and connects directly to the city center.
When is the best time to fly from Shanghai to get cheaper fares?
Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) and traveling during shoulder seasons like April-May or September-October typically offer better prices than peak summer and Chinese New Year periods.
How many direct flights can I take from Pudong Airport?
You have access to an impressive 237 direct destinations from PVG, giving you excellent connectivity to major cities across Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.
Do I need a visa to enter China through Shanghai Pudong?
Most visitors need a visa, though some nationalities qualify for visa-free stays up to 30 days; it's best to check with the Chinese embassy in your country before traveling, as requirements vary significantly by nationality.
What's a helpful tip for Pudong Airport?
Download the airport's official app or grab a map at arrival—the airport is massive with multiple terminals, and signs are in both English and Chinese, making it easier to find your way to transportation or your airline counter.
What should I budget for transportation from PVG to the city?
Plan around 50-60 RMB for the Maglev train or 8-10 RMB for the Metro if you're budget-conscious, while a taxi or ride-share typically costs 150-200 RMB depending on traffic and your final destination.
Plan your trip from Shanghai
Browse the complete list of 237 destinations below to find your next flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.