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

Direct flights offer convenience by minimizing travel time and avoiding layovers. However, they are not always the most budget-friendly choice. Flights with connections can often be more affordable, especially for longer distances, if you are willing to spend more time traveling.

Can flexible travel dates help on Johannesburg to Shanghai flights?

Being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Shifting your departure or return by a few days, or traveling during off-peak seasons, often results in lower fares. Weekday travel may also present better deals than weekend travel.

What extra costs should I check before booking Johannesburg 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. Understanding these fees upfront can help you budget accurately for your trip.

Flights From Johannesburg

To Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

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

Deals from

Johannesburg

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

Prices updated 6 days ago

459 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 7, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Johannesburg to Shanghai

2027-02-01 – 2027-02-14
JNB - Shanghai
91% AI deal score
$943
$725
Round trip
2026-11-23 – 2026-11-30
JNB - Shanghai
91% AI deal score
$1,003
$761
Round trip
2026-10-23 – 2026-10-30
JNB - Shanghai
93% AI deal score
$1,160
$777
Round trip
2027-02-19 – 2027-02-26
JNB - Shanghai
89% AI deal score
$975
$814
Round trip
2027-03-23 – 2027-03-30
JNB - Shanghai
92% AI deal score
$1,124
$820
Round trip
2026-10-18 – 2026-10-25
JNB - Shanghai
92% AI deal score
$1,160
$824
Round trip
2026-10-16 – 2026-10-23
JNB - Shanghai
92% AI deal score
$1,162
$826
Round trip
2026-11-22 – 2026-11-30
JNB - Shanghai
90% AI deal score
$987
$826
Round trip
2026-10-01 – 2026-10-23
JNB - Shanghai
91% AI deal score
$1,102
$836
Round trip
2026-11-08 – 2026-11-15
JNB - Shanghai
89% AI deal score
$1,000
$837
Round trip

Johannesburg to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai cover a substantial distance of 11,786 km, classifying this as a long-haul journey. This extended travel typically involves multiple connections, making the overall trip duration a significant factor for travelers.

For those seeking cheap flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai, fares typically range from $1009 to $2063, with a median price of $1647. Right now, current fares are below the typical level. Approximately 17% of recent fares for this route were classified as a good price, indicating that competitive deals do appear regularly. New deals appear almost daily, so setting up a price alert can help you catch them.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai? The data indicates that June is typically the most affordable month, with a median fare of $879. Following closely are July, with a median fare of $975, and November, where the median fare is $987. Planning your trip during these months could lead to significant savings.

Most itineraries for this route connect at least once, as 0% of recent fares were for direct flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai. When connecting, the typical number of stopovers is 2. This means that travelers should anticipate a journey that includes at least two intermediate stops before reaching Shanghai.

How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Shanghai? A typical journey, including connections, takes approximately 45h 50m. Given that most itineraries involve multiple stopovers, this duration accounts for the time spent in transit and during layovers, reflecting the comprehensive travel time for this long-haul route.

How much is a round trip from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Regular price: $867 - $1,981

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai is between $867 and $1981. The current lowest deal is $727 with Singapore Airlines, for travel from Feb 1-Feb 14.

now $727

Low $867

High $1,981

The cheapest time to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

The cheapest month to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai is June, with a median price of $879. The most expensive month is February, with a median price of $2144. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

June

Cheapest

Flights from $879

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $2,144

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Etihad Airways

Cathay Pacific

Qatar Airways

Air China

Last-minute flights going from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,277

$968

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,176

$990

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (SHA)

Cathay Pacific

$1,294

$990

One-way

Sun, Sep 20

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,163

$1,049

One-way

Mon, Sep 28

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,250

$968

One-way

Mon, Sep 28

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,125

$994

One-way

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

30 nights

Dec 1 - Dec 31

$1,412 → $953

33%

15 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 23

$1,407 → $950

32%

7 nights

Oct 14 - Oct 21

$1,276 → $856

33%

6 nights

Dec 18 - Dec 24

$1,401 → $992

29%

Popular Airports to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Johannesburg - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Johannesburg to Shanghai are below the typical level at $727.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in June for the best prices

Historically, June, July, and November offer the lowest median prices for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Long-haul flights with 2+ stops

Flights to Shanghai typically involve at least 2 stopovers, with a median duration of 45h 50m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals are frequent on this route, with 17% of recent fares considered good prices.

🏆 Airline highlight

Singapore Airlines offers the best deal

Singapore Airlines recently offered a roundtrip for $727 from February 1 to February 14.

🎯 Booking tip

Consider booking connecting flights

Direct flights are not common; connecting flights are the dominant option for this route.

Johannesburg main airports to depart from

O. R. Tambo International (JNB)

Cheapest

O. R. Tambo International is a primary departure point for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai.

📍 ~21 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$785

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$839

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$966

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

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

Elite

Best Elite deals to Shanghai

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

From JNB

Elite

Nov 17

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,147

$2,380

Save $1,767

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 18

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,167

$2,380

Save $1,787

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 02

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,016

$2,380

Save $1,636

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 21

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,167

$2,380

Save $1,787

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Oct 30

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,250

$2,380

Save $1,870

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 11

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,058

$2,380

Save $1,678

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Oct 27

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,214

$2,402

Save $1,812

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 13

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,075

$2,402

Save $1,673

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 10

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,018

$2,402

Save $1,616

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Oct 29

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,247

$2,402

Save $1,845

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Oct 27

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,246

$2,402

Save $1,844

Etihad Airways

Business Class

From JNB

Elite

Nov 20

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,167

$2,402

Save $1,765

Etihad Airways

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can also help you identify better deals. Often, booking in advance may lead to lower fares.

Booking flights in advance often provides more options and potentially lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time is a good strategy. Mid-week bookings may sometimes offer different pricing compared to weekends.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes reveal more economical flight options. While it may add to travel time, the potential savings on airfare can be significant. Always factor in ground transportation costs and convenience.

Related routes

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Johannesburg to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Regular price: $867 - $1,981

Prices are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai is between $867 and $1981. The current lowest deal is $727 with Singapore Airlines, for travel from Feb 1-Feb 14.

now $727

Low $867

High $1,981

The cheapest time to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

June

Cheapest

Flights from $879

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $2,144

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Etihad Airways

Cathay Pacific

Qatar Airways

Air China

Last-minute flights going from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Tue, Sep 15

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,277

$968

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,176

$990

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (SHA)

Cathay Pacific

$1,294

$990

One-way

Sun, Sep 20

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,163

$1,049

One-way

Mon, Sep 28

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,250

$968

One-way

Mon, Sep 28

⌛ Last-Minute

JNB - Shanghai

Johannesburg (JNB) - Shanghai (PVG)

Cathay Pacific

$1,125

$994

One-way

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

30 nights

Dec 1 - Dec 31

$1,412 → $953

33%

15 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 23

$1,407 → $950

32%

7 nights

Oct 14 - Oct 21

$1,276 → $856

33%

6 nights

Dec 18 - Dec 24

$1,401 → $992

29%

Popular Airports to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Johannesburg - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Johannesburg to Shanghai are below the typical level at $727.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in June for the best prices

Historically, June, July, and November offer the lowest median prices for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Long-haul flights with 2+ stops

Flights to Shanghai typically involve at least 2 stopovers, with a median duration of 45h 50m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals are frequent on this route, with 17% of recent fares considered good prices.

🏆 Airline highlight

Singapore Airlines offers the best deal

Singapore Airlines recently offered a roundtrip for $727 from February 1 to February 14.

🎯 Booking tip

Consider booking connecting flights

Direct flights are not common; connecting flights are the dominant option for this route.

Johannesburg main airports to depart from

O. R. Tambo International (JNB)

Cheapest

O. R. Tambo International is a primary departure point for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai.

📍 ~21 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$785

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$839

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

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

Shanghai, China

94% AI deal score

$4,167

$2,402

Save $1,765

Etihad Airways

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Today’s best flight deals from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Johannesburg to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Johannesburg to Shanghai

The cheapest time to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Direct flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Last-minute flights going from Johannesburg to Shanghai

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

Popular Airports to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Johannesburg - Shanghai route insights

Fares are below the typical level

Fly in June for the best prices

Long-haul flights with 2+ stops

Deals are frequent on this route

Singapore Airlines offers the best deal

Consider booking connecting flights

Johannesburg 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 17

Nov 18

Nov 02

Nov 21

Oct 30

Nov 11

Oct 27

Nov 13

Nov 10

Oct 29

Oct 27

Nov 20

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

How can I find cheap flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai?

When should I book flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai?

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

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

Can flexible travel dates help on Johannesburg to Shanghai flights?

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

Related routes

More routes from Johannesburg

Flights to Shanghai from other cities

Johannesburg to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Johannesburg to Shanghai

The cheapest time to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Direct flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Last-minute flights going from Johannesburg to Shanghai

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

Popular Airports to fly from Johannesburg to Shanghai

Johannesburg - Shanghai route insights

Fares are below the typical level

Fly in June for the best prices

Long-haul flights with 2+ stops

Deals are frequent on this route

Singapore Airlines offers the best deal

Consider booking connecting flights

Johannesburg 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 17

Nov 18

Nov 02

Nov 21

Oct 30

Nov 11

Oct 27

Nov 13

Nov 10

Oct 29

Oct 27

Nov 20

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

How can I find cheap flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai?

When should I book flights from Johannesburg to Shanghai?

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