Travelling from Tehran to Shanghai: what you need to know
Tehran's main base, Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Tehran to Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's chief entry points.
Jump on a direct Tehran to Shanghai flight and you'll be flying for an average of 8 hours 15 minutes.
Shanghai is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Tehran and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are four flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Tehran to Shanghai is with Mahan Air at 21:10. Choose the first IKA to PVG departure operated by Mahan Air at 19:35 to maximise your time in Shanghai.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Tehran to Shanghai flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tehran to Shanghai
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap Tehran to Shanghai flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price in each month when looking for your plane ticket from Tehran to Shanghai.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Tehran to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Tehran to Shanghai flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Tehran
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
You can catch a direct flight from Tehran to Shanghai taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). Start your trip at IKA and land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Secure your Tehran to Shanghai plane tickets with Mahan Air. This airline is a popular choice for direct flights from IKA.
We make it simple to find a Tehran to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see all your options departing from Imam Khomeini International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
IKA is about 40 kilometres from central Tehran. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 1 hour or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Booked an early flight from Tehran to Shanghai? Stay at a hotel close to Imam Khomeini International Airport, such as Remis Hotel. Rexan Hotel will also put you moments from the terminal.
Of the flights that depart from Imam Khomeini International Airport, 69.19% land on schedule at their destination.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 40 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Tehran to Shanghai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Go beyond Shanghai and explore places that aren't found in every travel guide with your own set of wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Boost your chances of getting the best rate by booking early. Reserving your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks in advance is a wise move.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Tehran to Shanghai has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
After your flight from Tehran to Shanghai, settle in at a hotel near SHA. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Why let someone else's timetable dictate your plans? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and stay in control of your journey. Book your wheels here with Hertz.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and go.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the quietest month for flights from Tehran to Shanghai, while April is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Shanghai based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your Tehran to Shanghai ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Look for cheap flights from Tehran 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
After booking your flight from Tehran to Shanghai, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are top attractions which should feature on every Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Shanghai has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of China waiting to be explored. Around 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a visit to Nanjing will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in China, consider Suzhou, roughly 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower are among the biggest draws.