What percentage of San Francisco to Shanghai flights are direct?

Across the trailing quarter, approximately 7.2% of flights from San Francisco to Shanghai were direct. The majority of travelers on this route typically experience connecting flights. For those with layovers, the median number of stopovers was 2. This indicates that direct options are less common for this particular route.

How many hours is the flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?

The typical direct flight from San Francisco to Shanghai has a median duration of 13 hours and 30 minutes. For flights with one stop, the median travel time increases significantly to 22 hours and 25 minutes. The total distance covered on this route is approximately 9876 kilometers. Travelers should factor in these durations when planning their journey, especially if considering connecting flights.

Are non-stop flights from San Francisco to Shanghai worth the extra cost?

Historically, direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai have been about 8% more expensive than connecting flights. The median price for a direct flight was $1158, while connecting flights had a median price of $1075. Direct flights constituted about 10.6% of all flights on this route. Travelers should weigh the convenience of a shorter travel time against this price difference when making their decision.

Flights From San Francisco

To Shanghai

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

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Prices updated 2 days ago

405 airlines compared

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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 San Francisco to Shanghai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from San Francisco to Shanghai

2026-09-07 – 2026-09-14
SFO - Shanghai
85% AI deal score
$793
$646
Round trip
2026-09-10 – 2026-09-17
SFO - Shanghai
85% AI deal score
$792
$646
Round trip
2026-08-18 – 2026-08-31
SFO - Shanghai
88% AI deal score
$885
$647
Round trip
2026-09-07 – 2026-09-23
SFO - Shanghai
80% AI deal score
$760
$647
Round trip
2026-08-23 – 2026-08-30
SFO - Shanghai
88% AI deal score
$912
$648
Round trip
2026-09-02 – 2026-09-09
SFO - Shanghai
85% AI deal score
$793
$648
Round trip
2026-09-02 – 2026-09-08
SFO - Shanghai
80% AI deal score
$793
$654
Round trip
2026-09-01 – 2026-09-10
SFO - Shanghai
87% AI deal score
$860
$654
Round trip
2026-11-03 – 2026-11-17
SFO - Shanghai
89% AI deal score
$928
$654
Round trip
2026-09-01 – 2026-09-15
SFO - Shanghai
80% AI deal score
$766
$655
Round trip

San Francisco to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

Flights from San Francisco to Shanghai cover a substantial distance of 9,876 kilometers, classifying this as a long-haul journey. This extensive route typically involves significant travel time, often with multiple connections, reflecting the considerable distance between the two cities.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from San Francisco to Shanghai, fares typically range from $851–$1,518, with a median price of $1,205. Right now, current fares are near the typical level for this route. Approximately 9% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that competitive deals are available, and new deals appear almost daily.

When considering the cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai, April stands out with a median fare of $658. Other cost-effective months include August, with a median fare of $763, and September, where the median fare is $835. These months offer more favorable pricing compared to the overall median for the route.

Regarding direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai, most itineraries connect at least once, with only 7.2% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of connections is 2. This means travelers should generally expect to make at least one stop on their journey.

A typical journey from San Francisco to Shanghai takes approximately 30h 30m, including connections. Given that most itineraries involve at least one stop, this median duration reflects the total travel time from departure to arrival, encompassing layovers and transfers.

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Shanghai

Regular price: $665 - $1,523

Prices for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai is typically between $665 and $1523. The current lowest deal is $619 with Asiana Airlines, for travel from Sep 7-Sep 23.

now $619

Low $665

High $1,523

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai

The cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai is April, with a median price of $658. The most expensive month is February, with a median price of $1457. Prices are generally lower from April to December.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $658

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,457

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

China Eastern Airlines

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Shanghai

Sat, Aug 15

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$891

$664

One-way

Sun, Aug 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$899

$627

One-way

Sun, Aug 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$901

$661

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$903

$631

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$896

$660

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$895

$675

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

7 nights

Aug 19 - Aug 26

$1,095 → $669

39%

9 nights

Dec 3 - Dec 12

$1,154 → $832

28%

4 nights

Aug 27 - Aug 31

$973 → $655

33%

7 nights

Aug 20 - Aug 27

$930 → $621

33%

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai

San Francisco - Shanghai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

Recent fares for San Francisco to Shanghai are near the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai, with a median price of $658.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights are typically 30h 30m

The typical flight duration from San Francisco to Shanghai is 30h 30m, with 2 stopovers.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Only 7.2% of recent flights from San Francisco to Shanghai are direct, making connecting flights dominant.

🏆 Airline highlight

Asiana Airlines offers a recent deal at $619

Asiana Airlines recently offered a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai for $619 via skyscanner.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai appear frequently, with 9% good prices.

San Francisco main airports to depart from

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a good choice for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai.

📍 ~20 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$701

Shanghai main airports to arrive at

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

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

📍 ~30 km from Shanghai (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$701

Airports nearby Shanghai used as alternative

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (HGH)

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International is a major international hub with high-speed rail connectivity to Shanghai.

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

💸 Flights from ~$787

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Shanghai

90% AI deal score

$6,637

$3,778

Save $2,859

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Shanghai

Historically, the best prices for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai have been found within 0-6 days of departure. During this period, the average price was $1038. Prices tend to increase for bookings made further in advance, with flights booked 7-13 days out averaging $1739. For those planning 60+ days ahead, the average price was $1170, indicating that last-minute bookings can offer better value on this route.

Across the trailing quarter, a flight from San Francisco to Shanghai is considered a good deal if it is priced at or below $851. The median price for this route was $1205. Prices above $1518 typically fall into the more expensive range. By comparing prices to this $851 threshold, travelers can identify favorable deals for their journey.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai include April, August, and September. April typically sees a median price of $658, while August has a median of $763. September also offers competitive pricing with a median of $835. These months are generally more affordable compared to the annual median price of $1205 for this route.

Related routes

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Flights to Shanghai from other cities

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San Francisco to Shanghai: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Shanghai

Regular price: $665 - $1,523

Prices for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai is typically between $665 and $1523. The current lowest deal is $619 with Asiana Airlines, for travel from Sep 7-Sep 23.

now $619

Low $665

High $1,523

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai

April

Cheapest

Flights from $658

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,457

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

China Eastern Airlines

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Shanghai

Sat, Aug 15

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$891

$664

One-way

Sun, Aug 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$899

$627

One-way

Sun, Aug 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$901

$661

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$903

$631

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$896

$660

One-way

Mon, Aug 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Shanghai

San Francisco (SFO) - Shanghai (PVG)

Asiana Airlines

$895

$675

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Shanghai

7 nights

Aug 19 - Aug 26

$1,095 → $669

39%

9 nights

Dec 3 - Dec 12

$1,154 → $832

28%

4 nights

Aug 27 - Aug 31

$973 → $655

33%

7 nights

Aug 20 - Aug 27

$930 → $621

33%

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai