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

Direct flights offer convenience by minimizing travel time and avoiding layovers, which can be appealing. However, connecting flights are often more affordable than direct routes. Evaluating your priorities for cost versus convenience will help determine the best option for your trip.

Can flexible travel dates help on Riyadh to Shanghai flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Mid-week flights or those during off-peak seasons often have lower fares compared to weekend or holiday travel. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may result in considerable savings.

What extra costs should I check before booking Riyadh 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 to avoid surprises.

Flights From Riyadh

To Shanghai

Cheap Flights from Riyadh to Shanghai

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

Deals from

Riyadh

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

Prices updated 7 days ago

483 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

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

Today’s best flight deals from Riyadh to Shanghai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Riyadh to Shanghai

2026-11-12 – 2026-11-17
RUH - Shanghai
75% AI deal score
$482
$623
Round trip
2026-11-18 – 2026-11-27
RUH - Shanghai
72% AI deal score
$500
$686
Round trip
2026-11-18 – 2026-11-28
RUH - Shanghai
73% AI deal score
$497
$726
Round trip
2026-11-19 – 2026-11-27
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$502
$740
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-11-12
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$519
$749
Round trip
2026-11-13 – 2026-11-17
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$503
$761
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-11-17
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$474
$761
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-17
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$504
$769
Round trip
2026-11-19 – 2026-11-28
RUH - Shanghai
70% AI deal score
$499
$775
Round trip
2026-11-09 – 2026-11-12
RUH - Shanghai
69% AI deal score
$585
$779
Round trip

Riyadh to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Riyadh to Shanghai

Right now, fares for cheap flights from Riyadh to Shanghai are above the typical level. Prices for this route typically range from $1031–$1679, with a median of $1273. Currently, 0% of recent fares are classified as a good price for this journey.

When considering the cheapest time to fly from Riyadh to Shanghai, the data shows that September is typically the most affordable month, with a median fare of $651. This is followed by October, where the median fare is $685, and December, with a median fare of $765. These months offer more competitive pricing compared to the overall median.

A typical journey from Riyadh to Shanghai takes about 10h 30m, including connections. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, this duration accounts for layovers. For connecting flights specifically, the median journey time is 23h 30m.

Flights from Riyadh to Shanghai cover a distance of 7262 km, classifying this as a long-haul route. This significant distance means that most itineraries connect at least once, with the majority of connecting flights typically involving 2 stopovers. Only a small fraction, 2.4%, of recent fares were for non-stop options.

How much is a round trip from Riyadh to Shanghai

Regular price: $437 - $815

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

Regular prices for flights from Riyadh to Shanghai typically range from $437 to $815. The current lowest deal is $686 with Oman Air, for travel from Nov 18 to Nov 27.

now $686

Low $437

High $815

The cheapest time to fly from Riyadh to Shanghai

The cheapest month to fly from RUH to SHA is September, with a median price of $651. The most expensive month is July, with a median price of $1342. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

September

Cheapest

Flights from $651

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,342

Jan

Feb

Mar

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Riyadh to Shanghai

China Eastern Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Riyadh to Shanghai

Wed, Nov 4

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (SHA)

Saudia

$583

$882

One-way

Wed, Nov 4

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (PVG)

Saudia

$488

$901

One-way

Thu, Nov 5

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (SHA)

Saudia

$583

$927

One-way

Sat, Nov 7

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (PVG)

Etihad Airways

$516

$834

One-way

Sat, Nov 7

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (PVG)

Saudia

$488

$918

One-way

Sun, Nov 8

⌛ Last-Minute

RUH - Shanghai

Riyadh (RUH) - Shanghai (PVG)

Etihad Airways

$567

$840

One-way

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

6 nights

Dec 5 - Dec 11

$566 → $631

11%

3 nights

Nov 10 - Nov 13

$516 → $609

18%

5 nights

Nov 12 - Nov 17

$482 → $621

29%

10 nights

Nov 13 - Nov 23

$452 → $616

36%

Popular Airports to fly from Riyadh to Shanghai

Riyadh - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Riyadh to Shanghai are above the typical level at $686.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in September for the best prices

Historically, September offers the lowest median prices at $651 for this route.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights take 23h 30m

Connecting flights from Riyadh to Shanghai typically take 23h 30m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 2.4% of recent flights from Riyadh to Shanghai are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

China Eastern Airlines offers direct flights

China Eastern Airlines has offered direct flights on this route historically.

🎯 Booking tip

Consider deals with regular cadence

Deals for flights to Shanghai from Riyadh are available with regular cadence.

Riyadh main airports to depart from

King Khalid International (RUH)

Cheapest

King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is a primary departure point for flights from Riyadh to Shanghai.

📍 ~27 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$505

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$373

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

Cheapest

This major international hub offers extensive routes and often competitive pricing compared to Shanghai airports.

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

💸 Flights from ~$726

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

91% AI deal score

$3,104

$1,365

Save $1,739

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Using flight comparison websites can help you compare prices across various airlines and online travel agencies. Setting up price alerts may also notify you of fare drops for your desired route.

Booking flights in advance often leads to better prices, though the ideal booking window can vary. Generally, purchasing tickets several weeks or months before your intended departure may offer more competitive fares. Last-minute bookings can sometimes be more expensive.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover additional flight options or different pricing. While it may require extra travel time to and from these airports, it could potentially lead to savings on your airfare. Always consider the total cost and convenience.

Related routes

More routes from Riyadh

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Riyadh to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from Riyadh to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from Riyadh to Shanghai

Regular price: $437 - $815

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

Regular prices for flights from Riyadh to Shanghai typically range from $437 to $815. The current lowest deal is $686 with Oman Air, for travel from Nov 18 to Nov 27.

now $686

Low $437

High $815

The cheapest time to fly from Riyadh to Shanghai

September

Cheapest

Flights from $651

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,342

Jan

Feb

Mar

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec