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

Direct flights offer convenience and save travel time, but they are not always the cheapest option. Flights with layovers can sometimes be significantly more affordable. Weigh the trade-off between cost savings and the added travel duration and potential hassle of a connection.

Can flexible travel dates help on Shanghai to Chennai flights?

Yes, having flexible travel dates can often lead to finding cheaper flights. Prices can vary significantly even between days of the week or within the same month. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may unlock better deals.

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 may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Be aware of these additional expenses to get a full picture of your travel cost.

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 4 days ago

476 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 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Shanghai to Chennai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Shanghai to Chennai

2026-11-08 – 2026-11-21
SHA - Chennai
74% AI deal score
CN¥2,714
CN¥2,742
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-22
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,629
CN¥2,762
Round trip
2026-10-25 – 2026-10-29
SHA - Chennai
76% AI deal score
CN¥3,051
CN¥2,870
Round trip
2026-10-25 – 2026-10-30
SHA - Chennai
75% AI deal score
CN¥2,978
CN¥2,870
Round trip
2026-11-20 – 2026-11-27
SHA - Chennai
74% AI deal score
CN¥2,939
CN¥2,876
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-12-16
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,614
CN¥3,077
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-11-30
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,839
CN¥3,077
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-11-29
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,854
CN¥3,091
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-11-27
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,938
CN¥3,098
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-12-11
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,618
CN¥3,138
Round trip

Shanghai to Chennai: Overview

Insights for flights from Shanghai to Chennai

A typical journey from Shanghai to Chennai takes about 11h 35m, including connections. This route covers a substantial distance, making it a long-haul flight spanning 4703 kilometers.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Shanghai to Chennai, prices typically range from $376–$636, with a median of $448. Right now, fares are below the typical level, however, 0% of recent fares were classified as a good price.

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai is often in February, with a median fare of $425. January also offers competitive prices, with a median of $448, followed by October at $489.

Most itineraries on this route connect at least once, as 0% of recent fares were for direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai. When connecting, the typical number of stopovers is 1. Deals for this route are infrequent, so setting a price alert is recommended to catch the best fares.

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

Regular price: CN¥2,311 - CN¥5,333

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

Regular prices for flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically range from CNY 2311 to CNY 5333. The current lowest deal is CNY 2709 with IndiGo, for travel from Nov 8-Nov 21.

now CN¥2,709

Low CN¥2,311

High CN¥5,333

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Chennai is February, with a median price of $425. The most expensive month is September, with a median price of $635. Prices are generally lower from January to October.

February

Cheapest

Flights from CN¥425

September

Most Expensive

Flights from CN¥635

Jan

Feb

Sep

Oct

Direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai

IndiGo

Emirates Airlines

Thai Airways International

Cathay Pacific

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥2,857

CN¥6,197

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥2,912

CN¥6,197

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,817

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,796

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,796

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,808

CN¥3,159

One-way

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

2 nights

Nov 7 - Nov 9

CN¥3,060 → CN¥3,239

5 nights

Nov 8 - Nov 13

CN¥3,022 → CN¥3,239

9 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 26

CN¥3,007 → CN¥3,259

6 nights

Nov 7 - Nov 13

CN¥2,947 → CN¥3,239

10%

Popular Airports to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai - Chennai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares for Shanghai to Chennai are below the typical level at $2709.

📅 Best time to fly

February is historically cheapest

Historically, February is the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Chennai, with a median price of $425.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 11h 35m

Connecting flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically have a median duration of 11h 35m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

This route is dominated by connecting flights; direct flights are not available.

🏆 Airline highlight

IndiGo offers connecting deals

IndiGo has offered 80 connecting deals for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

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

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

Shanghai Pudong International Airport offers flights to Chennai, with prices from 2628 CNY.

📍 ~33 km from Shanghai city center (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~CN¥2,628

Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is another option for flights to Chennai, with prices from 3460 CNY.

📍 ~14 km from Shanghai city center (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~CN¥3,460

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Chennai International (MAA)

Cheapest

Chennai International Airport is a convenient arrival point for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

📍 ~14 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~CN¥2,489

Airports nearby Chennai used as alternative

Bengaluru International (BLR)

Cheapest

Bengaluru International is a major international hub with extensive global and domestic networks, offering high frequency of flights.

📍 ~280 km from Chennai (requires approximately 5-6 hours of ground travel)

💸 Flights from ~CN¥2,715

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Chennai

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

Elite

Best Elite deals to Chennai

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

From SHA

Elite

Dec 03

Chennai, India

92% AI deal score

$1,601

$924

Save $677

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Dec 03

Chennai, India

92% AI deal score

$1,599

$924

Save $675

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Nov 12

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,504

$935

Save $569

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Dec 09

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,598

$935

Save $663

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Nov 12

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,505

$935

Save $570

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Dec 09

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,615

$935

Save $680

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Nov 12

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,501

$935

Save $566

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Dec 01

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,594

$935

Save $659

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From SHA

Elite

Dec 01

Chennai, India

91% AI deal score

$1,602

$935

Save $667

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From PVG

Elite

Dec 03

Chennai, India

90% AI deal score

$1,447

$924

Save $523

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From PVG

Elite

Dec 03

Chennai, India

90% AI deal score

$1,449

$924

Save $525

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

From PVG

Elite

Dec 09

Chennai, India

90% AI deal score

$1,464

$931

Save $533

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Chennai

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. Sometimes, flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons may offer lower fares.

Booking in advance often provides more options and potentially better prices, especially for popular routes. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear, though they are less predictable. It's usually a good idea to monitor prices over a period to find a suitable booking window.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes reveal more economical flight options. While it might add to your ground travel, the savings on airfare could be significant. Always factor in the additional time and cost of transportation to and from alternative airports.

Related routes

More routes from Shanghai

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Flights to Chennai from other cities

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Shanghai to Chennai: Overview

Insights for flights from Shanghai to Chennai

A typical journey from Shanghai to Chennai takes about 11h 35m, including connections. This route covers a substantial distance, making it a long-haul flight spanning 4703 kilometers.

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

Regular price: CN¥2,311 - CN¥5,333

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

Regular prices for flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically range from CNY 2311 to CNY 5333. The current lowest deal is CNY 2709 with IndiGo, for travel from Nov 8-Nov 21.

now CN¥2,709

Low CN¥2,311

High CN¥5,333

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

February

Cheapest

Flights from CN¥425

September

Most Expensive

Flights from CN¥635

Jan

Feb

Sep

Oct

Direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai

IndiGo

Emirates Airlines

Thai Airways International

Cathay Pacific

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥2,857

CN¥6,197

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥2,912

CN¥6,197

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,817

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,796

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,796

CN¥3,159

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

IndiGo

CN¥2,808

CN¥3,159

One-way

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

2 nights

Nov 7 - Nov 9

CN¥3,060 → CN¥3,239

5 nights

Nov 8 - Nov 13

CN¥3,022 → CN¥3,239

9 nights

Oct 17 - Oct 26

CN¥3,007 → CN¥3,259

6 nights

Nov 7 - Nov 13

CN¥2,947 → CN¥3,239

10%

Popular Airports to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai - Chennai route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares for Shanghai to Chennai are below the typical level at $2709.

📅 Best time to fly

February is historically cheapest

Historically, February is the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Chennai, with a median price of $425.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 11h 35m

Connecting flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically have a median duration of 11h 35m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

This route is dominated by connecting flights; direct flights are not available.

🏆 Airline highlight

IndiGo offers connecting deals

IndiGo has offered 80 connecting deals for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

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

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)

Cheapest

Shanghai Pudong International Airport offers flights to Chennai, with prices from 2628 CNY.

📍 ~33 km from Shanghai city center (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~CN¥2,628

Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is another option for flights to Chennai, with prices from 3460 CNY.

📍 ~14 km from Shanghai city center (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~CN¥3,460

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Chennai International (MAA)

Cheapest

Chennai International Airport is a convenient arrival point for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

📍 ~14 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~CN¥2,489

Airports nearby Chennai used as alternative

Bengaluru International (BLR)

Cheapest

Bengaluru International is a major international hub with extensive global and domestic networks, offering high frequency of flights.

Chennai, India

90% AI deal score

$1,464

$931

Save $533

Shenzhen Airlines, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Chennai

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Chennai

Today’s best flight deals from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai to Chennai: Overview

Insights for flights from Shanghai to Chennai

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

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

Popular Airports to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai - Chennai route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

February is historically cheapest

Connecting flights average 11h 35m

Connecting flights are dominant

IndiGo offers connecting deals

Deals are rare for this route

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Chennai used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Chennai

Best Elite deals to Chennai

Dec 03

Dec 03

Nov 12

Dec 09

Nov 12

Dec 09

Nov 12

Dec 01

Dec 01

Dec 03

Dec 03

Dec 09

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Chennai

How can I find cheap flights from Shanghai to Chennai?

When should I book flights from Shanghai to Chennai?

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

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

Can flexible travel dates help on Shanghai to Chennai flights?

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

Related routes

More routes from Shanghai

Flights to Chennai from other cities

Shanghai to Chennai: Overview

Insights for flights from Shanghai to Chennai

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

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

Popular Airports to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

Shanghai - Chennai route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

February is historically cheapest

Connecting flights average 11h 35m

Connecting flights are dominant

IndiGo offers connecting deals

Deals are rare for this route

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Chennai used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Chennai

Best Elite deals to Chennai

Dec 03

Dec 03

Nov 12

Dec 09

Nov 12

Dec 09

Nov 12

Dec 01

Dec 01

Dec 03

Dec 03

Dec 09

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Chennai

How can I find cheap flights from Shanghai to Chennai?

When should I book flights from Shanghai to Chennai?

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