Are direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai always the best option?

Direct flights usually offer convenience and save travel time. However, flights with layovers can sometimes be more economical. Weigh the trade-off between travel duration and potential cost savings when making your decision.

Can flexible travel dates help on Cairns to Shanghai flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often help you find more affordable flights. Prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week or season. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may result in better deals.

What extra costs should I check before booking Cairns to Shanghai flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Factor these into your total travel budget.

Flights From Cairns

To Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Browse current best options from Cairns. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Cairns

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Shanghai

Prices updated today

462 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 15, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Cairns to Shanghai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Cairns to Shanghai

2027-02-01 – 2027-02-11
CNS - Shanghai
76% AI deal score
A$951
A$991
Round trip
2026-11-11 – 2026-11-25
CNS - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
A$997
A$1,047
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-30
CNS - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
A$999
A$1,060
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-23
CNS - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
A$1,014
A$1,061
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-30
CNS - Shanghai
74% AI deal score
A$1,024
A$1,101
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-23
CNS - Shanghai
74% AI deal score
A$1,045
A$1,103
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-12-07
CNS - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
A$994
A$1,107
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-12-14
CNS - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
A$995
A$1,108
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-12-04
CNS - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
A$994
A$1,113
Round trip
2027-02-26 – 2027-03-03
CNS - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
A$1,014
A$1,135
Round trip

Cairns to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

For flights from Cairns to Shanghai, fares typically range from $584–$859, with a median of $681 over the last 90 days. Right now, fares are above the typical level. Only 2% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding cheap flights from Cairns to Shanghai may require some flexibility.

The cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Shanghai is typically in January, with a median fare of $517. April also offers lower prices, with a median of $546, followed by May at $600.

A typical journey from Cairns to Shanghai takes about 28h 45m, including connections. Most itineraries connect at least once, with the median number of stopovers for connecting flights being 2.

The route from Cairns to Shanghai covers a distance of 5921 km, classifying it as a long-haul journey. This means you can expect a significant travel time due to the considerable distance between the two cities.

How much is a round trip from Cairns to Shanghai

Regular price: A$801 - A$1,543

Prices for flights from Cairns to Shanghai are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Cairns to Shanghai is between 801 AUD and 1543 AUD. The current lowest deal is 984 AUD with Jetstar, for travel from Mar 9-Mar 14.

now A$984

Low A$801

High A$1,543

The cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Shanghai is January, with a median price of $517. The most expensive month is March, with a median price of $1373. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

January

Cheapest

Flights from A$517

March

Most Expensive

Flights from A$1,373

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Jetstar

China Southern Airlines

SAM Colombia

Air China

Last-minute flights going from Cairns to Shanghai

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,063

A$2,087

One-way

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,095

A$2,087

One-way

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,010

A$2,094

One-way

Fri, Oct 9

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,001

A$1,980

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Jetstar, Air China

A$985

A$1,723

One-way

Thu, Oct 15

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Jetstar, Air China

A$1,011

A$1,723

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

10 nights

Feb 1 - Feb 11

A$960 → A$993

14 nights

Nov 11 - Nov 25

A$1,002 → A$1,046

2 nights

Nov 6 - Nov 8

A$1,066 → A$1,157

6 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 8

A$1,277 → A$1,436

12%

Popular Airports to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Cairns - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Cairns to Shanghai are above the typical level, with a median of $681.

📅 Best time to fly

January offers the lowest median prices

Historically, January, April, and May offer the lowest median prices for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 28h 45m

Flights from Cairns to Shanghai typically involve 2 stopovers, averaging 28h 45m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Direct flights are not available for this route; connecting flights are the only option.

🏆 Airline highlight

Jetstar offers numerous connecting deals

Jetstar has 69 connecting deals, making it a frequent provider on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently for this route

Deals for flights from Cairns to Shanghai appear frequently, typically within a 30-day window.

Cairns main airports to depart from

Cairns (CNS)

Cheapest

Cairns Airport is a convenient departure point for flights to Shanghai, offering competitive prices.

📍 ~5 km from Cairns city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$1,531

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a good arrival option for flights from Cairns to Shanghai.

📍 ~33 km from city center (reachable by car, train, bus)

💸 Flights from ~A$906

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

Cheapest

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International is a major international hub with extensive networks, often providing competitive pricing.

📍 ~175 km from Shanghai (reachable by high-speed rail)

💸 Flights from ~A$906

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Cairns to Shanghai.

Elite

Best Elite deals to Shanghai

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From CNS

Elite

Nov 07

Shanghai, China

78% AI deal score

$4,397

$3,773

Save $624

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 07

Shanghai, China

77% AI deal score

$4,260

$3,773

Save $487

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 08

Shanghai, China

77% AI deal score

$4,337

$3,773

Save $564

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 05

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,079

$3,746

Save $333

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 02

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,129

$3,746

Save $383

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 07

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,033

$3,773

Save $260

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 08

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,046

$3,773

Save $273

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 09

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,022

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 04

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,022

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Oct 04

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,362

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 12

Shanghai, China

75% AI deal score

$3,909

$3,729

Save $180

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 05

Shanghai, China

75% AI deal score

$3,910

$3,743

Save $167

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Using flight comparison sites can help you compare options from various airlines and online travel agencies. Look out for deals and promotions that may be available.

Booking flights in advance often provides more options and potentially better prices. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear, so it's worth monitoring prices if your travel dates are flexible. Prices can fluctuate, so comparing over time may be beneficial.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes reveal different flight options or prices. While it may add to travel time, it could potentially lead to savings. Always consider the total cost and convenience when choosing.

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Flights to Shanghai from other cities

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Cairns to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

A typical journey from Cairns to Shanghai takes about 28h 45m, including connections. Most itineraries connect at least once, with the median number of stopovers for connecting flights being 2.

How much is a round trip from Cairns to Shanghai

Regular price: A$801 - A$1,543

Prices for flights from Cairns to Shanghai are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Cairns to Shanghai is between 801 AUD and 1543 AUD. The current lowest deal is 984 AUD with Jetstar, for travel from Mar 9-Mar 14.

now A$984

Low A$801

High A$1,543

The cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

January

Cheapest

Flights from A$517

March

Most Expensive

Flights from A$1,373

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Jetstar

China Southern Airlines

SAM Colombia

Air China

Last-minute flights going from Cairns to Shanghai

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,063

A$2,087

One-way

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,095

A$2,087

One-way

Sun, Oct 4

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,010

A$2,094

One-way

Fri, Oct 9

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

A$1,001

A$1,980

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Jetstar, Air China

A$985

A$1,723

One-way

Thu, Oct 15

⌛ Last-Minute

CNS - Shanghai

Cairns (CNS) - Shanghai (PVG)

Jetstar, Air China

A$1,011

A$1,723

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

10 nights

Feb 1 - Feb 11

A$960 → A$993

14 nights

Nov 11 - Nov 25

A$1,002 → A$1,046

2 nights

Nov 6 - Nov 8

A$1,066 → A$1,157

6 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 8

A$1,277 → A$1,436

12%

Popular Airports to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Cairns - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Cairns to Shanghai are above the typical level, with a median of $681.

📅 Best time to fly

January offers the lowest median prices

Historically, January, April, and May offer the lowest median prices for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 28h 45m

Flights from Cairns to Shanghai typically involve 2 stopovers, averaging 28h 45m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Direct flights are not available for this route; connecting flights are the only option.

🏆 Airline highlight

Jetstar offers numerous connecting deals

Jetstar has 69 connecting deals, making it a frequent provider on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently for this route

Deals for flights from Cairns to Shanghai appear frequently, typically within a 30-day window.

Cairns main airports to depart from

Cairns (CNS)

Cheapest

Cairns Airport is a convenient departure point for flights to Shanghai, offering competitive prices.

📍 ~5 km from Cairns city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$1,531

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a good arrival option for flights from Cairns to Shanghai.

📍 ~33 km from city center (reachable by car, train, bus)

💸 Flights from ~A$906

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

Cheapest

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International is a major international hub with extensive networks, often providing competitive pricing.

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,022

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 04

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,022

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Oct 04

Shanghai, China

76% AI deal score

$4,362

Singapore Airlines

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 12

Shanghai, China

75% AI deal score

$3,909

$3,729

Save $180

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

From CNS

Elite

Nov 05

Shanghai, China

75% AI deal score

$3,910

$3,743

Save $167

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Today’s best flight deals from Cairns to Shanghai

Cairns to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Cairns to Shanghai

The cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Last-minute flights going from Cairns to Shanghai

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Popular Airports to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Cairns - Shanghai route insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

January offers the lowest median prices

Connecting flights average 28h 45m

Connecting flights are dominant

Jetstar offers numerous connecting deals

Deals appear frequently for this route

Cairns main airports to depart from

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

Best Elite deals to Shanghai

Nov 07

Nov 07

Nov 08

Nov 05

Nov 02

Nov 07

Nov 08

Nov 09

Nov 04

Oct 04

Nov 12

Nov 05

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

How can I find cheap flights from Cairns to Shanghai?

When should I book flights from Cairns to Shanghai?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Cairns to Shanghai?

Are direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai always the best option?

Can flexible travel dates help on Cairns to Shanghai flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Cairns to Shanghai flights?

Related routes

More routes from Cairns

Flights to Shanghai from other cities

Cairns to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Cairns to Shanghai

The cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Direct flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Last-minute flights going from Cairns to Shanghai

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Cairns to Shanghai

Popular Airports to fly from Cairns to Shanghai

Cairns - Shanghai route insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

January offers the lowest median prices

Connecting flights average 28h 45m

Connecting flights are dominant

Jetstar offers numerous connecting deals

Deals appear frequently for this route

Cairns main airports to depart from

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

Best Elite deals to Shanghai

Nov 07

Nov 07

Nov 08

Nov 05

Nov 02

Nov 07

Nov 08

Nov 09

Nov 04

Oct 04

Nov 12

Nov 05

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

How can I find cheap flights from Cairns to Shanghai?

When should I book flights from Cairns to Shanghai?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Cairns to Shanghai?