Flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll board your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the main airports in Los Angeles.
Touch down in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Around 13 hours 55 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Los Angeles to Shanghai flight.
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Shanghai 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The busiest route for flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). There are 18 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from LAX to PVG is the 11:10 Delta Air Lines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 13:45 with United Airlines.
To ensure you get on your Los Angeles to Shanghai flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai
To secure cheap Los Angeles to Shanghai flights, reserve your trip 11 months ahead of your planned departure.
April is the best month for landing an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Los Angeles to Shanghai. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Los Angeles to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can get a direct flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Begin your trip at LAX and arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).
Leading carriers that offer direct Los Angeles to Shanghai plane tickets departing from LAX include:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Los Angeles to Shanghai flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Los Angeles International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
LAX is about 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour.
Want an easy start to your break? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Los Angeles International Airport gets high marks for on-time performance. 80% of flights that take off from LAX arrive at their destination without delay.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport typically takes 50 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near PVG if you have a late flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Start your adventure sooner with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hertz to explore parts of Shanghai that don't always get the spotlight.
To get the best deal, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance. Prices typically increase as your departure date approaches.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Public transport will get you there in around 40 minutes.
After your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, settle in at a hotel close to SHA. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Why work around someone else's schedule? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car and take charge of your own adventure. Reserve your wheels here with Hertz.
Save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and get going.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
March is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Shanghai based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Los Angeles to Shanghai tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
You've seen Shanghai, now it's time to explore more of China. Travel about 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to check 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, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai, Suzhou is another favourite stop in China. Start your sightseeing at Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.