Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai: what you need to know
Shanghai is 2 hours behind Cairns, where Cairns Airport is located. Shanghai operates on the UTC+8 timezone.
To ensure you catch your flight from CNS to Shanghai, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from CNS to Shanghai. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
If you have a passport from Australia, you'll need a visa to visit China. This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from Cairns Airport to Shanghai for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you book and definitely before flying.
The journey from central Cairns to CNS takes approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a handy hotel close to CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Shanghai
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Cairns Airport to Shanghai is C$453. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$963. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap tickets from CNS to Shanghai, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer their best fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Cairns Airport to Shanghai across each month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from CNS to Shanghai every day.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Cairns Airport to Shanghai.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is about 49 minutes by car. It's approximately 56 kilometres away.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near PVG:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 21 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is approximately 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from CNS to Shanghai:
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai. July is the most popular month for a trip to Shanghai. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
Lock in your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai for August to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 23ºC to 34ºC.
Search for cheap flights from CNS to Shanghai in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Yu Garden are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to put on your Shanghai travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Shanghai Tower.
Complete your Shanghai trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Cairns Airport to Shanghai to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info on car rentals in Shanghai, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.