Travelling from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know
Shanghai is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS) heading out from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
The timezone in Cairns is UTC+10, which is two hours ahead of Shanghai. Cairns Airport is located in Cairns.
To ensure you get on your flight from Shanghai to CNS, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or other peak period, allow extra time. Arrive two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
We make it simple to book cheap flights from Shanghai to CNS that include a stopover. To explore all the options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers between PVG and CNS include:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
PVG is around 56 kilometres from central Shanghai. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to arrive, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a convenient hotel near Shanghai Pudong International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
78.11% of flights leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport. Haneda Airport (HND) is a popular option between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and CNS.
Depending on traffic conditions, you can drive to SHA from Shanghai's centre in about 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 14 kilometres away.
Taking off bright and early? You might like to check in to one of these hotels near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport the day before your Shanghai to CNS flight:
Most flights that leave Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport make it to their destination as planned. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 85.58%.
The street address for SHA is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
About Cairns Airport (CNS)
Book a hotel near CNS if you have a late flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and say goodnight sooner:
Pick up a Cairns Airport rental car and explore Cairns and beyond with your own wheels. Simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast are top providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your vehicle around two weeks before your Shanghai to Cairns Airport flight.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
Central Cairns is roughly 5 kilometres from Cairns Airport. Journey times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions and time of day, so do some research ahead of time.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Cairns Airport is $335. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $791. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Shanghai to CNS. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your Shanghai to Cairns Airport ticket.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on plane tickets from Shanghai to CNS.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Shanghai to Cairns Airport.
The best time to fly from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS)
July is the most popular month for flights from Shanghai to Cairns Airport (CNS). Plan your visit to Cairns in February if you'd rather avoid peak season.
Book a Shanghai to CNS plane ticket departing in January if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Cairns to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Shanghai to Cairns Airport in August if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF).
More about Cairns
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Cairns right here. Browse these options once you've locked in your flight from Shanghai to Cairns Airport:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Great Barrier Reef, Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard are essential stops on your Cairns itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Cairns has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of Australia just waiting to be discovered. About 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a visit to Townsville will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Reef HQ and Botanic Gardens.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Australia, head for North Ward, about 290 kilometres south-east of Cairns. The Strand Jetty, Ocean Siren Statue and The Drill Hall Studio are key reasons to visit.
