Flying from Vancouver to Shanghai: what you need to know
Organising your flight from Vancouver to Shanghai begins with finding the right airport to kick off your trip. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are the main terminals in Vancouver.
Arrive in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Hop on a direct Vancouver to Shanghai flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 12 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is 16 hours ahead of Vancouver.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is the busiest route. When looking for a flight from Vancouver to Shanghai, you can select from nine services each week between YVR and PVG.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Vancouver to Shanghai flight.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Shanghai
Get cheap Vancouver to Shanghai flights by booking four months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Shanghai is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
There's no need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Vancouver to Shanghai.
Find a cheap Vancouver to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
You can book a direct flight from Vancouver to Shanghai jetting off from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Start your journey at YVR and land at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).
Keep an eye out for deals with Air Canada. This airline offers direct Vancouver to Shanghai plane tickets from YVR.
Travelling from central Vancouver to YVR takes around 25 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 10 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After an easy start to your break? Stay near Vancouver International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Vancouver to Shanghai or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
77% of flights that depart Vancouver International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
The journey to YXX from central Vancouver is around 2 hours 30 minutes by public transport. If you're going by car, it'll take you roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to cover the 64 kilometres or so.
Rest a little longer, move a little slower, and still make your Vancouver to Shanghai flight without having to rush. These accommodation options near Abbotsford Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're flying out early:
The on-time performance rating of YXX is 75%. In other words, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near PVG if you have a late flight from Vancouver to Shanghai. Choose one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car and explore corners of Shanghai that aren't the typical tourist stops. Find your ideal set of wheels with Hertz.
Improve your chances of securing the lowest price by booking as early as you can. Reserving your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance is a good move.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is around 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. After your flight from Vancouver to Shanghai, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
The journey will take approximately 40 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Vancouver to Shanghai:
Line up some great tunes and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Hertz and set off on your adventure right away.
Get the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left over, by securing your ride from SHA ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during peak travel times.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the most popular month for flights from Vancouver to Shanghai. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Shanghai in March.
Lock in a Vancouver to Shanghai ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shanghai to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Shanghai
After booking your flight from Vancouver to Shanghai, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Shanghai:
Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Tower are just a couple of the popular attractions to put on your Shanghai must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at The Bund Sightseeing Avenue.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be explored after you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, top sights here include Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another essential stop in China. No visit is complete without checking out Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.