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

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

Can flexible travel dates help on Shanghai to Chennai flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flight options. Prices for flights can vary greatly depending on the day of the week or the time of year. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may result in significant savings.

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

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines, especially budget carriers, may charge separately for these amenities. Also, consider transportation costs to and from the airports at both ends of your journey.

Flights From Shanghai

To Chennai

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Chennai

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

Deals from

Shanghai

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

Prices updated 5 days ago

402 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 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Shanghai to Chennai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Shanghai to Chennai

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

July 28 - August 20

Cheapest

Earliest

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,714

CN¥3,158

Round trip

August 31 - September 29

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,199

Round trip

August 28 - September 24

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,199

Round trip

August 31 - September 24

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,199

Round trip

August 30 - September 29

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,206

Round trip

August 23 - August 30

PVG - Chennai

CN¥3,315

CN¥3,429

Round trip

September 9 - September 24

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,652

CN¥3,524

Round trip

August 27 - September 24

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,524

Round trip

September 9 - September 29

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,629

CN¥3,524

Round trip

August 27 - September 25

Best

PVG - Chennai

CN¥2,904

CN¥3,531

Round trip

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Chennai and get alerts when great deals appear

Shanghai to Chennai: Overview

Insights for flights from Shanghai to Chennai

A typical journey from Shanghai to Chennai takes about 18h 20m, including connections. Given that most itineraries for this route involve at least one stop, this duration accounts for the time spent in transit and during layovers. This is a long-haul route, covering a distance of 4703 kilometers.

Right now, if you are looking for cheap flights from Shanghai to Chennai, fares are below the typical level. Prices for this route typically range from $331–$439, with a median of $378. Currently, only 7% of recent fares are classified as a good price, indicating that finding exceptionally low fares might require some flexibility.

For the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai, consider traveling in April, when the median fare is $316. July also offers competitive prices, with a median fare of $373, followed by June at $407. These months tend to offer better value compared to other times of the year.

Most itineraries for flights from Shanghai to Chennai connect at least once. In fact, 0% of recent fares were for direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai. For the vast majority of connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2, which contributes to the overall journey time.

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

Regular price: CN¥2,447 - CN¥5,615

Prices are currently within the regular range.

Regular prices for flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically range from CNY 2447 to CNY 5615. The current lowest deal is CNY 3180 with Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais, for travel from Aug 30-Sep 24.

now CN¥3,180

Low CN¥2,447

High CN¥5,615

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Chennai is April, with a median price of $316. The most expensive month is March, with a median price of $2394. Prices are generally lower from April to July.

April

Cheapest

Flights from CN¥316

March

Most Expensive

Flights from CN¥2,394

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai

MyTravel Airways

IndiGo

Malindo Airways

Thai Airways International

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

Wed, Jul 15

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

FlyAsianXpress

CN¥2,951

CN¥3,767

One-way

Thu, Jul 16

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥3,246

CN¥4,119

One-way

Sun, Jul 19

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Spring Airlines

CN¥3,216

CN¥3,787

One-way

Sat, Aug 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥2,994

CN¥4,112

One-way

Sat, Aug 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥3,698

CN¥4,132

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

SHA - Chennai

Shanghai (SHA) - Chennai (MAA)

Hainan Airlines

CN¥3,535

CN¥3,726

One-way

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

4 nights

Jun 24 - Jun 28

CN¥3,769 → CN¥3,752

3 nights

Jun 25 - Jun 28

CN¥3,761 → CN¥3,799

4 nights

Jun 25 - Jun 29

CN¥3,737 → CN¥3,799

2 nights

Jun 24 - Jun 26

CN¥3,813 → CN¥3,934

Popular Airports to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai - Chennai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Shanghai to Chennai are below the typical level, with 7% good prices historically.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Chennai, with a median price of $316.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights take 18h 20m on average

Flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically involve 2 stopovers, with an average flight time of 18h 20m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

No direct flights available

There are no direct flights available on the Shanghai to Chennai route; all flights include at least one stopover.

🏆 Airline highlight

MyTravel Airways offers 55 deals

MyTravel Airways has historically offered 55 deals for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly for this route

Deals for flights from Shanghai to Chennai appear regularly, with a consistent cadence over the last 30 days.

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)

Cheapest

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is a convenient option for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

📍 ~13 km from Shanghai (reachable by car or metro).

💸 Flights from ~$518

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) offers another departure choice for your trip to Chennai.

📍 ~30 km from Shanghai (reachable by car or maglev train).

💸 Flights from ~$525

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Chennai International (MAA)

Cheapest

Chennai International Airport is a convenient arrival point for travelers heading to Chennai.

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

💸 Flights from ~$518

Airports nearby Chennai used as alternative

Bengaluru International (BLR)

Cheapest

Bengaluru International is a major international hub with extensive global connectivity and frequent flight options.

📍 ~290 km from Chennai (requires approximately 5-6 hours of ground travel)

💸 Flights from ~$381

Tirupati (TIR)

Tirupati is the closest alternative airport to Chennai, convenient for domestic connections.

📍 ~110 km from Chennai

💸 Flights from ~$589

Tiruchirappalli International (TRZ)

Tiruchirappalli International offers significant international connectivity to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

📍 ~320 km from Chennai

💸 Flights from ~$567

Rajiv Gandhi International (HYD)

Rajiv Gandhi International is a massive international hub, an excellent alternative for long-haul international flights.

📍 ~500 km from Chennai (usually requires a long train journey or separate flight)

💸 Flights from ~$398

Coimbatore International (CJB)

Coimbatore International is a major regional hub with a strong domestic network for South Indian destinations.

📍 ~430 km from Chennai

💸 Flights from ~$486

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Chennai

75% AI deal score

$12,099

From PVG

Elite

Sep 14

Chennai, India

75% AI deal score

$1,376

$1,353

Save $23

From PVG

Elite

Sep 22

Chennai, India

74% AI deal score

$1,379

$1,366

Save $13

From PVG

Elite

Sep 20

Chennai, India

74% AI deal score

Chennai, India

67% AI deal score

$16,698

From PVG

Elite

Aug 25

Chennai, India

67% AI deal score

$16,823

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Chennai

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 booking platforms. Often, booking in advance may also lead to better deals.

Booking flights in advance often provides more competitive prices, especially for international routes. Prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time may help you identify a good booking window. Weekday bookings might sometimes offer better rates than weekend bookings.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes uncover different flight options or potentially lower fares. While not always the case, expanding your search to include alternative departure or arrival airports may provide more choices. Remember to factor in the additional travel time and cost to and from these alternative airports.

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Shanghai

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