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

Direct flights offer convenience and save travel time, but they are not always the most economical choice. Flights with layovers or connections can sometimes be significantly cheaper. Consider your priorities for time versus cost when making your decision.

Can flexible travel dates help on Chennai to Shanghai flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flights. Prices can vary significantly even within the same week, so adjusting your departure or return by a few days may result in considerable savings. Weekday travel is often less expensive than weekend travel.

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

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight meal costs. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Being aware of these additional expenses can help you budget accurately for your trip.

Flights From Chennai

To Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Chennai to Shanghai

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

Deals from

Chennai

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

Prices updated 2 days ago

405 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chennai to Shanghai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chennai to Shanghai

2026-08-24 – 2026-08-31
MAA - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
$451
$470
Round trip
2026-08-20 – 2026-08-31
MAA - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
$422
$480
Round trip
2026-09-08 – 2026-09-16
MAA - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
$385
$484
Round trip
2026-07-30 – 2026-08-19
MAA - Shanghai
71% AI deal score
$373
$493
Round trip
2026-07-30 – 2026-08-13
MAA - Shanghai
71% AI deal score
$384
$493
Round trip
2026-10-01 – 2026-10-08
MAA - Shanghai
74% AI deal score
$393
$497
Round trip
2026-10-01 – 2026-10-15
MAA - Shanghai
74% AI deal score
$364
$497
Round trip
2026-11-04 – 2026-11-11
MAA - Shanghai
74% AI deal score
$376
$497
Round trip
2026-08-16 – 2026-08-28
MAA - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
$417
$498
Round trip
2026-08-08 – 2026-08-12
MAA - Shanghai
78% AI deal score
$572
$499
Round trip

Chennai to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Chennai to Shanghai

For those looking for cheap flights from Chennai to Shanghai, October stands out as the most affordable month, with a median fare of $319. Other budget-friendly options include August, where the median fare is $493, and September, with a median fare of $502. Planning your trip during these months could lead to significant savings on your journey.

Fares for this route typically range from $617–$676, with a median of $659. Right now, current fares are significantly below the typical level, indicating a potentially favorable time to book your travel. However, the share of recent fares classified as a good price is 0%, suggesting that true standout deals are uncommon.

When considering the journey from Chennai to Shanghai, most itineraries connect at least once. There are no direct flights from Chennai to Shanghai, and for connecting flights, the typical number of stopovers is 1. This means you should expect at least one stop on your trip.

A typical journey from Chennai to Shanghai, including connections, takes approximately 30h 25m. This duration accounts for the layovers and transfers common on this route, as direct flights are not available. Travelers should plan accordingly for a longer travel day.

The distance between Chennai and Shanghai is 4703 km, classifying this as a long-haul route. This considerable distance contributes to the extended travel times and the necessity for connecting flights.

How much is a round trip from Chennai to Shanghai

Regular price: $338 - $731

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

The regular price range for this route is between $338 and $731. The current lowest deal is $468 with Air India Limited, for travel from Sep 1-Sep 8.

now $468

Low $338

High $731

The cheapest time to fly from Chennai to Shanghai

Flights from MAA to SHA are cheapest in October, with a median price of 319 USD. The most expensive month to fly is July, with a median price of 680 USD. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

October

Cheapest

Flights from $319

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $680

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Chennai to Shanghai

Singapore Airlines

Air India Limited

AirAsia

FlyAsianXpress

Last-minute flights going from Chennai to Shanghai

Wed, Jul 29

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

AirAsia

$479

$535

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

$577

$563

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

$450

$695

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

$437

$535

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

Singapore Airlines

$420

$537

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

MAA - Shanghai

Chennai (MAA) - Shanghai (PVG)

AirAsia

$495

$543

One-way

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

7 nights

Aug 12 - Aug 19

$541 → $516

4 nights

Aug 2 - Aug 6

$577 → $563

7 nights

Aug 24 - Aug 31

$459 → $469

4 nights

Aug 18 - Aug 22

$486 → $508

Popular Airports to fly from Chennai to Shanghai

Chennai - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares for Chennai to Shanghai are below the typical level at $468.

📅 Best time to fly

October is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Historically, October is the cheapest month to fly from Chennai to Shanghai, with a median price of $319.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights are typically 30h 25m with 1 stopover.

Flights from Chennai to Shanghai typically last 30h 25m with one stopover, as direct flights are rare.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Singapore Airlines offers the most deals.

Singapore Airlines offers the most deals for flights from Chennai to Shanghai, with 72 direct deals.

🏆 Airline highlight

Air India Limited offers deals from $468.

Air India Limited has offered recent deals for flights from Chennai to Shanghai starting at $468.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route.

Deals for flights from Chennai to Shanghai are rare, so consider booking when you see a good price.

Chennai main airports to depart from

Chennai International (MAA)

Cheapest

Chennai International Airport (MAA) is a convenient departure point for flights to Shanghai.

📍 ~25 km from Chennai city center (reachable by car).

💸 Flights from ~$478

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)

Cheapest

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is a good choice for flights to Shanghai, offering competitive prices.

📍 ~15 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$475

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

Cheapest

This major international hub offers extensive networks and excellent high-speed rail connectivity to Shanghai.

📍 ~135 km from Shanghai (reachable by high-speed rail)

💸 Flights from ~$393

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

91% AI deal score

$1,795

$1,079

Save $716

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 prices across various airlines and booking platforms. Often, booking in advance or looking for flights during off-peak seasons may also lead to better deals.

Booking flights in advance, typically a few months before your intended travel date, can often result in lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so it's a good idea to monitor fares over time. Last-minute bookings usually carry a higher cost.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover more affordable flight options. While it may require additional ground transportation, the savings on airfare can occasionally be significant. It's worth checking if alternative airports are conveniently accessible.

Related routes

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Flights to Shanghai from other cities

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Chennai to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Chennai to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Chennai to Shanghai

Regular price: $338 - $731

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

The regular price range for this route is between $338 and $731. The current lowest deal is $468 with Air India Limited, for travel from Sep 1-Sep 8.

now $468

Low $338

High $731

The cheapest time to fly from Chennai to Shanghai

October

Cheapest

Flights from $319

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $680

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov