Travelling from Chicago to Shanghai: what you need to know
Chicago has two main airports where you can kick off your travels. Check out your options for booking a flight from Chicago to Shanghai departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's chief entry points.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is 14 hours ahead of Chicago.
To ensure you make it on your Chicago to Shanghai flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Shanghai
Booking in advance is often the key to locking in a cheap Chicago to Shanghai flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Chicago to Shanghai across each month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Locking in a cheap flight from Chicago to Shanghai is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Find an affordable Chicago to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Chicago to Shanghai flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
New York Newark Airport (EWR)
Located around 26 kilometres from central Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Shanghai, these stays will put you nice and close to your departure gate:
70% of flights departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Split up your Chicago to Shanghai flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Chicago Midway Airport and Shanghai are:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Detroit Wayne County Airport (DTW)
With public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 25 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Chicago to Shanghai, stay in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway Airport:
76% of flights taking off from Chicago Midway Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 32 kilometres. It'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting there by public transport typically takes 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Chicago to Shanghai. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Start your adventure the moment you land with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hertz to explore Shanghai and beyond.
To get the lowest possible price, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport a few weeks in advance. Prices typically increase closer to your date of travel.
The address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
After your flight from Chicago to Shanghai has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 40 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Chicago to Shanghai:
Find the perfect playlist and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and drive off without missing a beat.
Typically, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Lock in your ride from SHA once you know your travel dates.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Chicago to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to visit Shanghai. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your Chicago to Shanghai ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
After booking your flight from Chicago to Shanghai, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are major attractions which should be on every Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered after you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, check out popular attractions including Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
Suzhou is another well-known destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without a visit to Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.