Flying from Frankfurt to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Frankfurt. Explore your options departing from Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) or Hahn Airport (HHN) when reserving your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
When working out where to arrive in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct Frankfurt to Shanghai flight is 11 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8, which is seven hours ahead of Frankfurt.
The busiest route for flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai is from Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). You can choose from 22 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from FRA to PVG is the 13:35 China Eastern Airlines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last scheduled departure is at 21:05 with Lufthansa.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Frankfurt to Shanghai flight.
Flying during a peak month like September? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays 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 Frankfurt to Shanghai
Book one month before flying. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Frankfurt to Shanghai flights.
Plan your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on plane tickets from Frankfurt to Shanghai. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Find an affordable Frankfurt to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Set out from Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) on a nonstop flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai. From FRA, you can fly straight to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).
Popular airlines that offer direct Frankfurt to Shanghai plane tickets from FRA include:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Frankfurt to Shanghai flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Frankfurt am Main Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Hong Kong Intl Airport (HKG)
Located around 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt, FRA can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 20 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near Frankfurt am Main Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
74% of flights taking off from Frankfurt am Main Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Hahn Airport (HHN)
Think about adding a stop at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). It's a key stopover on a Frankfurt to Shanghai flight departing Hahn Airport. Use a long layover to explore nearby, or take advantage of a quick break to freshen up at the airport.
HHN is around 105 kilometres from central Frankfurt. It takes 1 hour 25 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 10 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, unwind in one of these hotels close to Hahn Airport:
Hahn Airport has a reputation for reliability and timeliness. 84% of flights taking off from here arrive right when they're supposed to.
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 will take around 1 hour 5 minutes.
It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you have a late flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Venture beyond Shanghai and discover places that aren't found in every travel guide with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car from Hertz.
Increase the odds of getting the best possible rate by booking early. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance is a smart move.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from central Shanghai. After your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, it takes approximately 30 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
Public transport will get you there in around 40 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai:
Crank up the tunes and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and get your trip rolling right away.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just whatever's left, by booking your ride from SHA ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during busy airport times.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the busiest month for flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai. To escape the crowds, visit Shanghai in March.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your Frankfurt to Shanghai ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Shanghai right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard 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
You've done Shanghai, now it's time to discover other parts of China. Journey around 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to tick off its must-visit sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, your itinerary will be busy.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another essential stop in China. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.