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 one or more layovers can often be more economical. Weigh the trade-off between cost savings and increased travel duration when making your decision.

Can flexible travel dates help on Shanghai to Chennai flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact flight prices. Flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons usually results in lower fares compared to weekends or popular holiday periods. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may lead to considerable savings.

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

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 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 today

444 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Aug 9, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Shanghai to Chennai

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Shanghai to Chennai

2026-09-01 – 2026-09-07
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,922
CN¥3,113
Round trip
2026-08-20 – 2026-09-11
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,966
CN¥3,201
Round trip
2026-08-18 – 2026-09-11
SHA - Chennai
72% AI deal score
CN¥2,928
CN¥3,207
Round trip
2026-09-18 – 2026-09-25
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,937
CN¥3,214
Round trip
2026-09-01 – 2026-09-11
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥2,730
CN¥3,282
Round trip
2026-09-01 – 2026-09-25
SHA - Chennai
72% AI deal score
CN¥2,578
CN¥3,289
Round trip
2026-09-05 – 2026-09-09
SHA - Chennai
73% AI deal score
CN¥3,011
CN¥3,329
Round trip
2026-10-15 – 2026-10-26
SHA - Chennai
70% AI deal score
CN¥2,676
CN¥3,403
Round trip
2026-10-13 – 2026-10-17
SHA - Chennai
71% AI deal score
CN¥2,944
CN¥3,430
Round trip
2026-09-24 – 2026-09-30
SHA - Chennai
72% AI deal score
CN¥2,894
CN¥3,505
Round trip

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 on this route involve at least one stopover, this duration reflects the total travel time rather than a direct flight. Travelers should plan for this extended travel period when flying between these two cities.

For those seeking cheap flights from Shanghai to Chennai, prices typically range from $331–$439, with a median of $378. Right now, fares are significantly below the typical level. Approximately 7% of recent fares on this route were classified as a good price, indicating that competitive offers are available but not abundant.

When considering the cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai, April stands out with a median fare of $316. July also offers more favorable pricing, with a median of $373, while June presents a median fare of $407. These months generally provide better value compared to other periods.

There are no direct flights from Shanghai to Chennai; most itineraries connect at least once. In fact, all recent fares on this route involved connections, with the typical number of stopovers being 2. This means travelers should expect to make at least two stops during their journey.

The route from Shanghai to Chennai covers a significant distance of 4703 kilometers, classifying it as a long-haul journey. This considerable distance contributes to the longer travel times and the necessity for connecting flights.

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

Regular price: CN¥2,447 - CN¥5,615

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

The regular price range for flights from Shanghai to Chennai is between CNY 2447 and 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

Qatar Airways

Thai Airways International

Last-minute flights going from Shanghai to Chennai

Fri, Aug 7

⌛ Last-Minute

SHA - Chennai

Shanghai (SHA) - Chennai (MAA)

China Eastern Airlines

CN¥4,051

CN¥3,352

One-way

Sat, Aug 8

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Thai Airways International

CN¥3,866

CN¥4,117

One-way

Tue, Aug 18

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Spring Airlines

CN¥3,443

CN¥3,582

One-way

Wed, Aug 19

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais, Thai AirAsia

CN¥2,955

CN¥3,230

One-way

Thu, Aug 20

⌛ Last-Minute

SHA - Chennai

Shanghai (SHA) - Chennai (MAA)

China Eastern Airlines

CN¥3,491

CN¥3,555

One-way

Thu, Aug 20

⌛ Last-Minute

PVG - Chennai

Shanghai (PVG) - Chennai (MAA)

CN¥3,399

CN¥7,578

One-way

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

3 nights

Aug 7 - Aug 10

CN¥4,051 → CN¥3,352

17%

6 nights

Aug 20 - Aug 26

CN¥3,491 → CN¥3,555

14 nights

Aug 30 - Sep 13

CN¥3,024 → CN¥3,136

6 nights

Aug 21 - Aug 27

CN¥3,407 → CN¥3,542

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.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month

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

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 18h 20m

Flights from Shanghai to Chennai typically involve 2 stopovers, with a median duration of 18h 20m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

No direct flights available

There are no direct flights available from Shanghai to Chennai; all routes include connecting flights.

🏆 Airline highlight

MyTravel Airways offers connecting flights

MyTravel Airways has 41 connecting deals for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly

Deals on flights from Shanghai to Chennai appear regularly, with frequent opportunities to book.

Shanghai main airports to depart from

Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA)

Cheapest

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is a good option for flights from Shanghai to Chennai.

📍 ~15 km from Shanghai (reachable by car or metro).

💸 Flights from ~$518

Chennai main airports to arrive at

Chennai International (MAA)

Cheapest

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

📍 ~15 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.

📍 ~200 km from Chennai (requires approximately 5-6 hours of ground travel)

💸 Flights from ~$381

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Chennai

81% AI deal score

$2,225

$1,729

Save $496

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 often reveal better deals. Also, looking into flights with layovers instead of direct routes may sometimes offer savings.

Booking in advance, often several months before your intended travel date, can sometimes result in lower fares. Prices may fluctuate, so monitoring them over time can help you identify a good booking window. Weekday bookings might also be more economical than weekend bookings.

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 could be significant. Always factor in the total cost and convenience when considering this approach.

Related routes

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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

How much is a round trip from Shanghai to Chennai

Regular price: CN¥2,447 - CN¥5,615

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

now CN¥3,180

Low CN¥2,447

High CN¥5,615

The cheapest time to fly from Shanghai to Chennai

April

Cheapest

Flights from CN¥316

March

Most Expensive

Flights from CN¥2,394

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul