Travelling from Los Angeles to Shanghai: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll catch your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are Los Angeles's main airports.
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the primary gateways.
The average duration of a direct Los Angeles to Shanghai flight is 13 hours 50 minutes.
Shanghai is 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles and is in the UTC+8 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Choose from 16 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from LAX to PVG is the 11:10 Delta Air Lines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 13:45 with United Airlines.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Los Angeles to Shanghai flight.
Flying over a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai
Book one month before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Los Angeles to Shanghai flights.
Organise your trip for April. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on plane tickets from Los Angeles to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Finding a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Los Angeles to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai jetting off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Start your journey at LAX and end it at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct Los Angeles to Shanghai plane tickets out of LAX. Book your seat with one of these:
We make it a breeze to find a Los Angeles to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Haneda Airport (HND)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near Los Angeles International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, these accommodation options will have you nice and close to your departure gate:
Los Angeles International Airport maintains a solid on-time performance, making delays less likely. Departures from LAX arrive at their destination as scheduled 81.05% of the time.
LAX's address is One World Way.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Venture beyond Shanghai and discover places that aren't found in every travel guide with your own wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Book your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks in advance to get the lowest price. If you're planning to travel during a busy period, it's a smart idea to book your Los Angeles to Shanghai flight even earlier.
The street address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
After your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, kick back at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from baggage claim, so you'll be on the road in a flash.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can simply pick up the keys and get on your way.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the most popular month for flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai. To avoid the crowds, visit Shanghai in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your Los Angeles to Shanghai ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Shanghai is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of China just waiting to be discovered. About 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another well-known destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without a visit to Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.
