Flying from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Shanghai. Check out your options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) when booking your flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located in Durham. The city operates in the UTC-4 timezone and is 12 hours behind Shanghai.
To ensure you catch your flight from Shanghai to RDU, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Head to the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international journeys. Once you've checked in, you can use any extra time to grab something to eat or simply relax.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
We make it easy to plan a flight from Shanghai to RDU that includes a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Top stopovers between PVG and RDU include:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The distance from central Shanghai to PVG is about 56 kilometres. Use Google Maps for the quickest way to get there, whether you plan to drive or take public transport.
Have an early flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays close to Shanghai Pudong International Airport:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
SHA is approximately 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. It'll take 21 minutes or so to reach the terminal driving from the city centre.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Shanghai to RDU? Relax in a hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport before your break officially starts. Check out these accommodation options:
About Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RDU instead:
Getting from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to central Durham
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is approximately 23 kilometres from central Durham. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is about 18 minutes.
Travelling by public transport takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Lock in a one-way ticket from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport from C$783 or travel return from just C$1,827. Prices are accurate at the time of listing and may change based on availability when you book.
To pick up flight tickets from Shanghai to RDU, book early. Airlines typically offer their best fares when flights are first released.
Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare the prices of tickets from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport across the entire month. The lowest fares are marked in green, so you can quickly pick a flight your budget will love.
Create a Price Alert and keep track of changes on this route through push notifications or email. We'll let you know when prices drop. It's all about timing when scoring flight tickets from Shanghai to RDU.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Simply select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
The best time to fly from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
July is the most popular month for flights from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. To skip the crowds, plan your trip to Durham in May when it's quieter.
Think about the type of weather that'll suit your plans for Durham. The warmest month is July. Book your flights from Shanghai to RDU sometime then and you can expect temperatures of between 19ºC and 33ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in January when temperatures average between -3ºC and 13ºC.
More about Durham
Start your Durham trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, check out our range of accommodation options including:
One of the best ways to get a feel for Durham is to check out its leading attractions. Highlights include Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Duke University Chapel and DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Centre.
Complete your Durham trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Shanghai to Raleigh-Durham International Airport to track down your ideal ride. Browse our car rentals in Durham and compare your options in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to know, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.
