About flights from Shanghai (SHA)
Hongqiao is Shanghai's quieter airport, and I mean that as a compliment. While Pudong handles the long-haul international traffic, SHA operates more like a well-run domestic machine — 64 routes, most of them within China, with the occasional international hop to Seoul, Hong Kong, or Macau keeping things interesting. The terminals are manageable, the metro connection is direct, and you won't spend 45 minutes on a bus to reach your gate. For anyone moving around eastern China specifically, this is the airport you actually want to use.
Quick stats for SHA
- Direct destinations: 64
- Countries served: 7
- Continents reached: 2 of 6
- Average flight distance: 1,314 km
- Longest non-stop: Altay (AAT) — 3,356 km (~4h 12m)
- Shortest non-stop: Linyi (LYI) — 507 km (~38 min)
- Reach score: 67/99
Why fly to Shanghai?
China's domestic aviation network is genuinely underappreciated by Western travelers, and Hongqiao puts you at the center of it. Fifty-eight domestic routes means you can reach cities most people can't find on a map — including Altay up in Xinjiang, which sits 3,356 km away and represents the airport's longest route. That's not a short hop. Airlines like China Eastern (FM) dominate here, which makes sense given their Shanghai hub operations, but you'll also find Spring Airlines (9C) offering cheaper options on competitive routes. The lone Seoul service is worth flagging for Northeast Asia connections. Culturally, flying domestically in China right now means watching an aviation market in full expansion mode. Planes are new, routes are multiplying, and the experience is often better than the reputation suggests.
Longest non-stop flights from SHA
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Shanghai:
- Altay, China (AAT) — 3,356 km, approximately 4h 12m
- Korla, China (KRL) — 3,328 km, approximately 4h 10m
- Urumqi, China (URC) — 3,272 km, approximately 4h 5m
- Jinghong, China (JHG) — 2,282 km, approximately 2h 51m
- Khabarovsk, Russia (KHV) — 2,252 km, approximately 2h 49m
Short-haul flights from SHA
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Shanghai:
- Linyi, China (LYI) — 507 km, approximately 38 min
- Nanchang, China (KHN) — 583 km, approximately 44 min
- Qingdao, China (TAO) — 586 km, approximately 44 min
- Fuzhou, China (FOC) — 608 km, approximately 46 min
- Sanming, China (SQJ) — 630 km, approximately 47 min
Top countries by direct connections from SHA
Hongqiao International connects to 7 countries. Here are the most served:
- China — 58 destinations (Altay, Baishan, Beijing, Beijing and 54 more)
- Hong Kong SAR — 1 destination (Hong Kong)
- Russia — 1 destination (Khabarovsk)
- Macau SAR — 1 destination (Macau)
- Republic of Korea — 1 destination (Seoul)
- Taiwan — 1 destination (Taipei)
- Japan — 1 destination (Tokyo)
Where to fly from Shanghai
Flights to China
Shanghai has 58 direct routes to China:
- Linyi (LYI) — 507 km
- Nanchang (KHN) — 583 km
- Qingdao (TAO) — 586 km
- Fuzhou (FOC) — 608 km
- Sanming (SQJ) — 630 km
- Weihai (WEH) — 671 km
- ...and 52 more destinations
Flights to Hong Kong SAR
Shanghai has 1 direct route to Hong Kong SAR:
- Hong Kong (HKG) — 1,230 km
Flights to Russia
Shanghai has 1 direct route to Russia:
- Khabarovsk (KHV) — 2,252 km
Tips for travelers at SHA
Getting to Hongqiao is one of the easier airport transfers I've done in a major Asian city. Metro lines 2 and 10 both serve the airport directly, and Line 2 connects straight through to Pudong Airport on the other end — useful if you're doing an international-to-domestic connection across terminals. Budget around 40 minutes from People's Square. The airport itself sits in the western suburbs, so taxis from central Shanghai run 30-40 minutes depending on traffic, which can get bad. Spring and autumn are the smoothest travel seasons; summer brings typhoon-related delays that can cascade badly across the whole domestic network.
Airlines operating from SHA
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Hongqiao International:
8L, 9C, BR, CA, CI, CX, CZ, EU, FM, GS, HO, HU, HX, HZ, JL, KE, KN, MF, MU, NH, NS, NX, OZ, SC, TV, ZH
Frequently asked questions about flying to Shanghai
What's the easiest way to get from Hongqiao Airport to Shanghai's city center?
The Metro Line 2 connects directly from the airport to People's Square and the Bund in about 30 minutes for just 6 yuan, making it the cheapest and most convenient option. Taxis and ride-sharing apps like Didi are also readily available if you prefer door-to-door service.
When is the best time to fly to or from Shanghai?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather and fewer crowds, while summer can be hot and humid with higher prices. Winter is cooler but can be gray and smoggy, so aim for shoulder seasons if you have flexibility.
How many places can I fly to directly from Hongqiao?
Hongqiao has 64 direct destinations, connecting you to major cities across China and select international hubs in Asia, making it perfect for both domestic and regional travel. This makes it one of China's most connected airports for convenient one-stop access.
What do I need to know about visas or entry requirements for Shanghai?
Most visitors need a Chinese visa obtained in advance, though some nationalities qualify for visa-free stays up to 180 days under recent policies—check with your nearest Chinese embassy. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Any practical tips for Hongqiao Airport?
Download the airport's app or have Google Translate ready since English signage is limited in some areas, and arrive early as domestic flights can get crowded during peak hours. The airport is compact and easy to get through compared to Pudong, so you won't need much time to get through security.
Is flying from Hongqiao more budget-friendly than Pudong?
Hongqiao is closer to the city center (13km vs. 30km for Pudong), so ground transportation costs are lower, but airfare prices are similar across both airports. You'll save more money on the commute to/from Hongqiao, which can be 100+ yuan cheaper than Pudong depending on your destination.
Plan your trip from Shanghai
Browse the complete list of 64 destinations below to find your next flight from Hongqiao International. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.